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We set off up the road, past the Reindeer Centre, up to Glenmore Lodge where the road becomes a track. It was a pleasant walk through the woodland with its birches and pines that climb up the hillsides. We passed An Lochan Uaine, the little green loch, then soon emerged into open moorland, Ryvoan Bothy just a speck in the distance.
Glenmore - The Queen's Forest by
GariochT, on Flickr
Ryvoan Bothy in the distance, across open moorland by
GariochT, on Flickr
At the junction of tracks we turned right and ambled to the lower reaches of Strath Nethy, crossing a bridge over the water, before heading up the northern slopes of Bynack More.
The lower reaches of Strath Nethy by
GariochT, on Flickr
Meall a' Bhuachaille (Hill of the Shepherd) and Glenmore by
GariochT, on Flickr
It was a long but gentle haul up the hill. Higher up, we had good views across to the tors and corries of Ben Avon and Beinn a' Bhuird.
Ben Avon and Beinn a' Bhuird by
GariochT, on Flickr
We admired the curves of Bynack More and Bynack Beg - very graceful.
The Line of Beauty… Bynack More and Bynack Beg by
GariochT, on Flickr
Towards the top, there were interesting views across to the opposite side of Strath Nethy, the hills having layers of heather, grass, and scree.
Across Strath Nethy by
GariochT, on Flickr
The summit provided an excellent viewpoint to the heart of the Cairngorms, including Beinn Mheadhoin and Ben Macdui, and teasing glimpses of the cliffs encircling Loch Avon. The (Little) Barns of Bynack were intriguing too - fine examples of differential erosion.
Beinn Mheadhoin ('Middle Hill' and Ben Macdui in the distance. by
GariochT, on Flickr
Orienting the map… Looking across to Ben Avon and Beinn a' Bhuird by
GariochT, on Flickr
Barns of Bynack (or the Little Barns?) by
GariochT, on Flickr
Lairig an Laoigh from the Barns by
GariochT, on Flickr
We descended south and southwest to A' Choinneach then southwest again towards The Saddle. The Loch Avon basin opened up to us.
The Heart of the Cairngorms. Beinn Mheadhoin, Ben Macdui, Loch Avon. by
GariochT, on Flickr
Loch Avon in the heart of the Cairngorms by
GariochT, on Flickr
The long Strath Nethy seemed like a hidden, not well-trodden glen, and the faint path wended its way down between the rocks, beside the meandering stream. We stopped for a break and I took some experimental macro pictures, holding my zoom lens the wrong way round against the camera to see the miniature world of the Cairngorms.
Macro - funny Cairngorm plant by
GariochT, on Flickr
Macro of Scottish bluebell (harebell?) by
GariochT, on Flickr
Macro of a bit of granite by
GariochT, on Flickr
Macro of a tiny alien-like Cairngorm plant by
GariochT, on Flickr