Archer's Stone and Wade's Road, Slochd

Summary

This unfrequented circuit is packed with interest. It takes in a section of General Wade's old road over the Slochd, crosses the fine Sluggan Bridge, and visits an intruiging memorial. There are areas of beautiful regenerating Scots Pine woods along the way.

Grade

Bog Factor

4.5/5

Rating

Terrain

Forest tracks, some hard surfaced, some grassy.

Getting there

Start

Parking area at NH847238, Slochd.

Public Transport

None to start. The walk can also be reached by walking along Station Road from Carrbridge.

Start Grid Ref

NH847238

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 12.5km / 7.75 miles
Time: 3 - 3.5 hours
Ascent: 178m (Profile)

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Walk Description

User reports (2)

Stage 1

Take the minor road off the west side of the A9 at Slochd; note that this minor road is currently closed between here and Carrbridge so you must use the A9 and not the lane from the Carrbridge end. There is a large informal parking area on the south side of the road at NH847238. Begin the walk from here, following the track (signed as part of the National Cycle Network) which climbs up over a bridge over the railway line; there is a view to the impressive Slochd viaduct.

Stage 2

Follow the track through the forestry for 1.5km until a t-junction. Turn left here to pass Insharn and continue along the edge of the forest. This track follows the route of General Wade's military road, built around 1728. The track rises and falls several times, and there are expansive views over the wild strath of the River Dulnain through the Monadhliath.

Stage 3

Ignore a couple of turnings on the right. After almost 3km of the track - 4.5km from the start of the walk - a t-junction is reached at a ruin. Turn right here to follow the track - still part of the National Cycle Network - to and across Sluggan Bridge. This was not built by Wade - originally there was a ford - but sometime around the early nineteenth century - possibly following the Muckle Spate (or great flood) of 1829. On the far side, continue just beyond the cottage on the right, then turn right onto the left hand of two grassy tracks. This curves round into the trees.

Stage 4

This track is little used and is grass grown, but winds through attractive woodland and gives enjoyable walking. After just over a kilometre it emerges on a minor road - don't join or cross this, instead turning right onto a larger track. This descends to cross a modern, wooden bridge over the Dulnain. On the far side, follow the track for 300m until a narrow track forks left just before another bridge - take this track.

Stage 5

The track soon passes through a gate and re-enters mature pine woodland. After a little over a kilometre and a half a four-way junction is reached. Our route turns right, but before heading that way note the memorial stone off to the left. This commemorates Iain Beag Macandra, a tiny local man who made up for his lack of stature with his great skill as an archer. He killed three raiders near this spot in the early seventeenth century. After visiting the stone, take the right hand track.

Stage 6

The track for this section of the walk soon leads to more open moorland, though there is now some fine regeneration and younger trees around the scattered older pines. A track joins in from the left, and eventually the track swings right and then rejoins the outward route at the junction near Insharn after 2.3km. Turn left along the cycle route to retrace your steps back to the start.

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