After a poor night on the Caledonian Sleeper (something which ten years ago was so much easier !), I arrived into Aviemore at 07.45. After a quick toilet break and a breakfast roll and tea in Cobbs Cafe in Aviemore I set off for Bynack More on the Northern side of the Cairngorms. A pleasant enough walk along the Glenmore road, if surprisingly chilly after the twenty degree Celsius which I’d left behind in London the night before – I passed The Bridge Inn, where I hoped to become more acquainted the following evening !

After a brief stop at Loch Morlich, for old times sake I then at lunchtime headed off up Glenmore towards Lochan Uaine, the fairy loch ! Arriving at an empty Ryvoan Bothy at half 1pm for a noodle lunch and energy bars. I opted not to climb Bynack Mor this afternoon, opting, incorrectly to climb it tomorrow instead. I had a lazy rest of the day, eventually setting up camp next to a pleasant stream coming off the river Nethy.

After a rather uneventful night, I awoke to low cloud and heavy drizzle. Typical Scottish weather in all respects. I still opted to climb Bynack More. Had I taken the direct route to the summit I’m certain I’d have made it, with the gap in weather. Sadly though, I didn't !! I got as far as the Barns (rock formation), stopped for tea on my stove, only for the weather to close in, with visibility very poor I retraced my steps back down - it'll need to wait for another day.

Heading back down to Glenmore via Loch a' Garbh Choire and back past the fairy loch, I cheated and got the bus back into Aviemore.