Glen Feshie to Kingussie

Summary

The third part of the Scottish National Trail's 3 stage crossing of the wild lands between Blair Atholl and Kingussie heads down through the beautiful lower reaches of Glen Feshie. A more populated landscape is then reached as the route reveals the fine views from Farleitter Crag before continuing to the impressive wetland nature reserve of the Insh Marshes.

Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

Rating

Terrain

Good paths throughout, some waymarked. The crossing of the Allt Coire Garbhlach may be a problem if in high spate.

Public Transport

There is no road access of any kind to the start of this stage, which requires wild-camping. Kingussie has both rail and bus services.

Start

Ruigh Aiteachain bothy / camping in the pinewoods. No road access. Open in Google Maps.

Walk Statistics

Distance: 23.5km / 14.5 miles
Time: 6 - 7 hours
Ascent: 102m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NN846928

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Accommodation

Walk Description

User reports (3)

Stage 1

This stage of the route presumes that the previous night was spent wild-camping amidst the pinewoods or in Ruigh Aiteachain bothy - a simple shelter provided and maintained by the estate (Wildland Ltd) - always follow the bothy code when visiting. A track passes a short distance to the west of the bothy - follow this northwards.

Stage 2

When a small burn is reached there is usually a plank bridge to the right if needed. Otherwise continue ahead to a cross-tracks and go straight ahead. Ignore a path off left that keeps closer to the river (part of it has been destroyed by floods) and stay on the main track, which the left path rejoins after about 400m. After another 400m or so the track becomes grassy - leave it and take the clear path left which has a few rock steps. At a grassy track turn right, then ignore paths off both right and left to continue through the trees. Before the track climbs, to avoid a washed out section, turn right on a narrow path that leads to the crossing of the Allt Garbhlach - often a ford, though logs sometimes placed in summer. On the far side keep right at a fork and continue up the glen, soon rejoining the main path. Fork left to reach a footbridge at NN850964. From here head up to join a tarmac road and follow this to the right.

Stage 3

Continue northwards along the tarmac road - which becomes a public road after Tolvah though traffic is very light. After 5km a signed path goes off towards Feshie Bridge on the right; ignore this and instead take the next forestry track on the left. Follow this into the trees; at the next junction follow the main track as it swings right. Ignore a waymarked path off to the right as the track leads to a bench overlooking the largest of the Uath Lochans. Continue around a couple of corners until the track swings left and a second path waymarked with a white cross goes off to the right. Turn along this, soon reaching a seat with a view over the lochans.

Stage 4

Beyond this the path climbs to a track Turn left uphill on this - making a switchbank ascent - until a red waymarker indicates a smaller path off to the right. The route now crosses the top of Farleitter Crag with good views in a number of places down to the three lochans and across to the far side of Glen Feshie. Keep following the clear path as it turns to face Strathspey and different views across the forestry, passing two seats, before beginning to descend.

Stage 5

Ignore a left turn, and then turn right at a t-junction and later left when the Badenoch Way is reached. This signposted route is now followed all the way to Kingussie. Continue following the signed route through the forest until the B970 is reached. Turn left immediately to follow a path along the back of the houses at Insh, keeping straight ahead where any paths join. Once in more open ground pass a picnic table ignoring the path to the right.

Stage 6

Go through a gate and continue straight ahead on the track where a path leads to Insh to the right. After a pretty cottage on the right go through a gate and continue ahead passing the houses at Inveruglass. At the end of the track go through a gate onto a grassy path which crosses moorland to reach the edge of a pine wood where there is a bench. Follow the path around the edge of the wood and then into the pines. Go through a gate to follow the path between fences.

Stage 7

The track then reaches the surfaced road at Drumguish, go straight ahead at the crossroads with the post box, to follow a rougher track past more houses and then alongside pine woods to reach the Glen Tromie road. Turn right here to take the track down to Tromie Bridge. The final section follows the Insh Marshes Invertromie Trail through the RSPB nature reserve overlooking the marshes. Turn left to cross the stone bridge and then go through a gate on the right into the meadow.

Stage 8

Keep right to follow the river passing a gauging station and reaching a path in the far corner. Follow this, going through a gate and then heading uphill following the small white arrows for the Invertromie Trail as well as the Badenoch Way signs. Ignore a path heading back on the left and follow a raised ridge with silver birch trees, go through a gate and pass a bench. Keep following the white arrows and cross a track before reaching a small detour to the right to a viewpoint. Follow the grassy path to reach more trees with glimpses of the marshes to the right. Go through a gate and soon there is a detour to a bird hide on the right. Straight ahead the path soon crosses a bridge and another gate to descend steps leading to the car park at Invertromie Reserve. Follow the B970 the final 2.5 km past Ruthven Barracks to reach Kingussie; there is a path alongside the road for some of the route.

Next stage: Kingussie to Laggan

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