Braemar to Inverness long distance hike - Day 3

An epic 113 mile cross country walk from Braemar to Inverness. 6 days walking, 5 days camping.
I plotted a route out on Google Earth which included some of my favourite places to visit in the Cairngorms.

On day 3, I walk approximately 16 miles from Tromie Meadow near Kingussie to Laggan via Glen Banchor, passing through Kingussie and Newtonmore and visit Ruthven Barracks. I stop for Tea at Dalnashallag bothy and wild camp by the River Spey, near Spey Dam.

Braemar to Inverness long distance hike - Day 2

Day 2 (East Highland Way)

In part 2 (Day 2) I walk about 18 miles from Ryovan bothy to Tromie Meadow near Drumguish. I visit Loch Morlich, Loch an Eilein, Loch Insh, Drakes bothy and the Frank Bruce sculpture Trail before eventually retiring with some Spam by the River Tromie.

Braemar to Inverness long distance hike - Day 1

An epic 113 mile cross country walk from Braemar to Inverness. 6 days walking, 5 days camping.
I plotted a route out on Google Earth which included some of my favourite places to visit in the Cairngorms.

Time taken: 144 hours
Distance: 113 miles
Ascent: 732m

Day 1 (Lairig an Laoigh)
Walked from Braemar to Ryovan bothy via the Lairig an Laoigh. Visited Bob Scott's bothy.
Wild camped at Ryvoan bothy.

Braemar to Pitlochry long distance hike - Day 4

I got bored sitting at home so I decided to walk approximately 57 miles through the Cairngorms from Braemar to Pitlochry over the course of 4 days, visiting some bothies and climbing Ben Dearg en-route.  I spent the first night in a bothy and the next 2 nights were spent wild camping by Old Bridge of Tilt next to Blair Atholl.

Day 4  (Back on track)
I continue my walk down the River Tilt and follow the River Garry to Pitlochry on a section of the Scottish National Trail to finish my walk at Pitlochry Station.

Braemar to Pitlochry long distance hike - Day 3

I got bored sitting at home so I decided to walk approximately 57 miles through the Cairngorms from Braemar to Pitlochry over the course of 4 days, visiting some bothies and climbing Ben Dearg en-route.  I spent the first night in a bothy and the next 2 nights were spent wild camping by Old Bridge of Tilt next to Blair Atholl.

Day 3 (Ben Dearg)

I took a walk up Beinn Dearg from Blair Atholl and paid a visit to Allt Sheicheachan bothy en-route.

I had planned to take the circuit route described here on Walkhighlands but the day got off to a late start and then I lingered about in the bothy for ages, by the time I came back down from the mountain it was already getting late and I just had to return to Blair Atholl the quickest route (same way I came up).  I spent the night wild camping by the Old bridge of Tilt near Blair Atholl.

I had considered staying in the bothy but it would mess up my schedule for the following day as I had to walk 10 miles to Pitlochry station to meet my train.

Braemar to Pitlochry long distance hike - Day 2

Time taken: 4 days
Distance: 91 km
Ascent: 990m

I got bored sitting at home so I decided to walk approximately 57 miles through the Cairngorms from Braemar to Pitlochry over the course of 4 days, visiting some bothies and climbing Ben Dearg en-route. I spent the first night in a bothy and the next 2 nights were spent wild camping by Old Bridge of Tilt next to Blair Atholl.

Day 2 (Glen Tilt)
I make my way down Glen Tilt to the Old Bridge of Tilt at Blair Atholl and set up camp next to the parking area.

Braemar to Pitlochry long distance hike - Day 1

Time taken: 4 days
Distance: 91 km
Ascent: 990m

I got bored sitting at home so I decided to walk approximately 57 miles through the Cairngorms from Braemar to Pitlochry over the course of 4 days, visiting some bothies and climbing Ben Dearg en-route. I spent the first night in a bothy and the next 2 nights were spent wild camping by Old Bridge of Tilt next to Blair Atholl.

 

Day 1 (A Washout)
I begin on Friday morning and walk approx. 22 miles in horrible weather to Tarf Hotel, a very remote bothy behind Glen Tilt. It took me forever to get there and when I finally arrived I was completely soaked through.

Lairig Ghru / Glen Feshie circuit - Day 3

A 67 mile circuit walk, starting and finishing at Braemar in the Cairngorms National Park.

I walked the Lairig Ghru from Braemar to Aviemore and returned to Braemar via Glen Feshie and Glen Geldie.

In the final video, I walk about 20 miles from the bothy at Glen Feshie back to Braemar via Glen Geldie and then along the River Dee to the Linn of Dee and back to Braemar.  I arrive just in time for the bus.

Lairig Ghru / Glen Feshie circuit - Day 2

A 67 mile circuit walk, starting and finishing at Braemar in the Cairngorms National Park. 

I walked the Lairig Ghru from Braemar to Aviemore and returned to Braemar via Glen Feshie and Glen Geldie.

In video 2, I continue my 67 mile circuit walk.  I walk from Loch an Eilein to the bothy at Glen Feshie where I spend the night wild camping beside the River Feshie.

Lairig Ghru / Glen Feshie Circuit - Day 1

A 67 mile circuit walk, starting and finishing at Braemar in the Cairngorms National Park.

I walked the Lairig Ghru from Braemar to Aviemore and returned to Braemar via Glen Feshie and Glen Geldie.

In video 1, I spend the first night wild camping by the Luibeg burn before walking the Lairig Ghru to Aviemore the following day. I then continue to Loch an Eilein where I spend the second night wild camping at Loch an Eilean.

Braemar to Tomintoul (and back) - Day 4

In May 2016, I returned to the Cairngorms for another multi-day adventure, this time a 60 mile solo hike to the highest village in the Scottish Highlands, Tomintoul. I start and finish at the village of Braemar in Aberdeenshire, heading out via Mar Lodge Estate and returning via Invercauld estate... 4 days, 3 nights wild camping and 3 bothy visits.

 Day 4 - I Walked approx. 23 miles back down to Braemar via Inchrory, Glen Builg and through Invercauld Estate. Once reaching Invercauld I had time to spare before the bus arrived so walked another 3 miles into Braemar to get to the shop then jumped on the bus. 

Braemar to Tomintoul (and back) - Day 3

In May 2016, I returned to the Cairngorms for another multi-day adventure, this time a 60 mile solo hike to the highest village in the Scottish Highlands, Tomintoul. I start and finish at the village of Braemar in Aberdeenshire, heading out via Mar Lodge Estate and returning via Invercauld estate... 4 days, 3 nights wild camping and 3 bothy visits.

Day 3 - I made my way up to the village of Tomintoul passing through Glen Avon.  I walked about 15 miles and wild camp in the woods above Tomintoul.  Had a meal at the Hotel.

Braemar to Tomintoul (and back) - Day 1,2

In May 2016, I returned to the Cairngorms for another multi-day adventure, this time a 60 mile solo hike to the highest village in the Scottish Highlands, Tomintoul. I start and finish at the village of Braemar in Aberdeenshire, heading out via Mar Lodge Estate and returning via Invercauld estate... 4 days, 3 nights wild camping and 3 bothy visits. Re-edited version.

Day 1 - Started from Braemar early afternoon and walked about 7 miles to Bob Scott's bothy where I wild camped for the first night. Met some guys who were staying in the bothy, members of the mba.

Day 2 - Walked 13 miles from Bob Scott's bothy to Faindouran bothy via The fords of Avon and visited Hutchinson memorial hut en-route.  Wild camped at Faindouran bothy and had the place all to myself.  :) 

Bothy bagging gone wrong! Day 3

DAY 3



In the final part of my walk, I head for The Shieling of Mark bothy, climbing over Hill of Rowan towards Invermark. From Invermark I take a side trip to Queen's Well before passing through Glen Lee to visit the Glen Lee Hut and The Stables of Lee bothy then I continue uphill towards the Shieling of Mark. But do I make it to my destination?? Watch to find out!

Bothy bagging gone wrong! Day 2

DAY 2

I continue my walk to the next bothy heading West to Glen Esk and navigating my way over Clachnaben and Mount Battock. The plan on day 2 was to camp at Tarfside sports ground but I never made it that far and ended up wild camping by a river about 1.5 miles from Tarfside.

Bothy bagging gone wrong! Day 1

DAY 1

In my first hike of 2016, I head to Deeside in Aberdeenshire on another bothy bagging trip. The original plan was to visit 6 bothies starting from Banchory in Deeside and finishing at Crathie in Balmoral. I planned out my route on Google Earth. Things didn't quite go to plan. I couldn't find Shieling of Mark bothy (yet I was so close) this also meant that I couldn't navigate my way to the next place, which would have been Glen Muick. I became stuck in a valley and had to turn back the way I came. My quickest escape route was a climb over Mount Keen (939 m ascent) from Invermark, to follow a path towards Ballater but the Ballater path wasn't clear so I ended up walking 16 miles from the top of Mount Keen to Aboyne (a route that was familiar to me). I did not film this because I was not in the mood after my mistake. During my expidition I passed through Banchory, Aboyne, Glen Esk, Tarfside, Invermark, Loch Lee and climbed Clachnaben, Mount Battock, Hill of Rowan and Mount Keen for a second time. I visited three bothies including Charr, Glen Lee hut and Stables of Lee. I must have walked about 70 miles up and over the hills but failed at my challenge.

Bothy bagging in the Cairngorms - Day 3 and 4

 Day 3 - I ascend over the hills from Loch Callater to Loch Muick where the next bothy is located. I enjoy a few Beers, sitting out by the loch until the sun goes down. Then I get the fire sparked up inside the bothy.

Day 4 - Walked along Loch Muick to the Spittal of Glenmuick and went in search of Shieling of Mark bothy, walked up the Glen for about 3 miles but couldn't spot it so returned to the spittal of Glenmuick and walked to Ballater (8 miles) where I caught the bus home.

Bothy bagging in the Cairngorms - Day 2

Day 2 - Had breakfast in the bothy before walking 9 miles back to Braemar where I grabbed supplies from the shop before making my way to the next bothy at Loch Callater. 7 miles.

Bothy bagging in the Cairngorms - Day 1

I begin a three day adventure, backpacking through the Cairngorms, visiting several bothies en-route. The original plan was to visit the highest village, Tomintoul but due to frosty condictions Plan B (for Bothy) was initiated.

Day 1 - Got bus to Braemar, walked 6 miles to the Linn of Dee and a further 3 miles to the first bothy, Bob Scotts. Some other people were there so I pitched the tent up outside before joining them for a drink. Afterwards I stayed up for a while and made a small campfire outside, using an existing firepit.

Please note, I have since been informed that campfires are not permitted at the Bob Scotts bothy or anywhere in this area. I apologise to have offended anyone, lesson learned.

Mount Keen from Aboyne with a 65L pack

I started from Aboyne at 10:30 am and headed out to Glen Tanar on foot, reaching Glen Tanar visitor centre an hour later. I continued walking using the Walkhighlands description as my guide, stopping at the Half Way Hut for lunch en-route.

I arrived at the base of Mount Keen at 3:40pm and began my ascent to the summit which took me about an hour 20 mins. Conditions were good, a little windy at the top. Came straight back down, had planned to camp on the grassy area at the bottom but there was a group of kids there so I just went back to the half way hut, had Supper and wild camped by the river Tanar. The following day I walked back to Aboyne and caught the bus back to Aberdeen.

It took about 11 hours in total, that included stopping for lunch for an hour and doesn't include the camping.

Munros included on this walk: Mount Keen
Date walked: 23/08/2014
Time taken: 11 hours
Distance: 33 km
Ascent: 795m