Decided after nearly three weeks in kennels whilst I was offshore that my Labrador needed a bit of excitement. Having lived in Kingussie for over 2 years I had still not been up Creag Bheag, so decided today would be the day.

We walked from my house to the Ardvonie car park and started the trail there. It was a pleasant walk in the woods and Maksimus soon got well into it

However before we left the forest you could see that a stream had formed washing the path away. Indeed for the next 200 yards or so, the path was muddy and slippery in places.



We were at the top within an hour and the views were stunning. I already enjoy views of Sgor Gaoith, Coire Gharblach, Sgoran Dubh Mor, but to see them from here was fantastic.




What I was really looking forward to was my view over Loch Gynack, as I'd never seen it for myself, only in the photos of others. But finally I managed.



The route down was steep and slippy in places due to recent rain, but the path was well made. I am grateful that I took my walking poles as I would have still been coming down - I found my knees aren't what they once were. We came past the golf course via the old town ship at Toman a t-Seòmair. A peep in the ruins revealed a decaying iron fireplace lying in the middle of the weeds.

Maks and I decided to bypass the Tom Baraidh section of our walk, as this is our normal stamping ground for walkies. We returned via the footbridge over the Gynack to St Vincent's hospital to look at the hydro electric generator recently installed. From the bridge you can see the massive chasm the Gynack has formed just below the bridge which is testament to the power of this seemingly insignificant burn - it causes chaos in flood, especially to the local high school.


Got home before the rain started but am now watching it sweep over the Sgor Gaoith ridge. Have a very happy Labrador who really enjoyed his walk.


Time to put the feet up and look to walking the hills on the other side of the Spey.