Attendees: Me, The Doc, Tara, Migs, Jake, Big Dog, Small Dog
My step-son and step-daughter –Jake and Tara- had celebrated their birthdays the previous week. It was The Doc’s (aka the wife) Birthday on Valentine’s Day. We wanted to do something different to mark the occasions this time round.
Had a quick look at Walk Highlands and the Black Wood – Pictish fort combination appealed. As an add-on, we stayed in Aviemore overnight and completed a local 2k zip wire course the following day. Whilst I bumped round the course on my backside, it was as much fun as I’ve had with my clothes on in ages. The kids loved it; if only because I gave them something to


Along for the ride were Tara’s boyfriend Migs and both dogs. Being mob-handed, we used 2 cars for the trip. We followed a WH print of the circular route from beginning to end. There was snow on the ground, so parts were slippy, more so for Jake whose ‘kewl’ teenage standards forbade him wear anything but trainers. Somewhere en route we managed to lose the dogs' ball thrower (an item not person) and orange ball.
A thoroughly enjoyable family day and great memories made. A highlight for me was the old fort and beautiful views towards the Sherramore Forest.
Signpost on outward route

View towards Creag Meagaidh

Tara and Jake

Dogs in the snow

Jake, Migs, the dogs and the soon to be lost ball thrower

The Sentinel - Big Dog at the hill fort looking towards Sherramore

Some nervous faces before the zip wire course

The Birthday boy underway

Getting towards the end - childlike I wanted to go round again

Edited 28/1/17: Text and FlickRpics added; status changed from own record to trip report.