Cairn Toul, the Coire Dhondail path and the stride extender.

After heavy rain recently the water out of this stream ripped into the track surface and as I passed by some restorative work was on going.

The area of the Roberts Ridge climb at the Northern end of the Sgoran ridges.

The final part of the route ending with an a cheval to link the Robert's ridge with the short section to the summit of Sgoran dubh Beag.

The path up into Coire Dhondail showing as a diagonal and the twin waterslides showing...image taken in a past age circa 1975.

A fine wee four season tent at the start of the path up into the coire....the owner was not up and about when I passed.

The path to the prior plateau area showing up left of the twin waterslides.

Over the years a bit of rubble has slid into the path.

The very useful cairn indicating the start of the path down into the Coire. Sgor Gaoith and Sgoran dubh Mor and some of the ridges on the East side of the Hills. I seem to recall two cairns here when I last passed this way 30 years ago.

Sgor an Lochan Uaine with Cairn Toul behind.

What is left of the winter snows in the Garbh Choire.

The falls of Dee.

Lochan Uaine with some of the Lairig Ghru showing.

A view from the top of Cairn Toul towards The Angel's Peak.

On my way up to Cairn Toul I met two young folks who were chirping about this being their first hill. They had walked in from Glenmore, camped near the Corrour bothy. We talked about them getting back to Aviemore for 2100 hrs for a bus to get them to Inverness. A couple of routes were talked about

Later I saw them a bit adrift of the indicator cairn for the Dhondail path...I tried shouting and arm waving with no response so I waited just below the start of the path and expected an appearance on the Coire rim which did come a little later...path and a waving me spotted ....we were all good for descent. We had a good wee chat while descending the path.

As I sat there I recalled our own school visit in 1960 for a stay in Corrour and then, without all the kit, a round of the Toul and Braeriach coires. After another stay in the bothy and both Macdui and Cairngorm before returning to Glenmore.

The two lads on the path just below the steepening.

The lads took off at a pace hoping to be in time for a haddock supper before joining the bus to Inverness.

I had a little half snooze on the warm vegetation wondering if the Dhondail path was taken all those years ago by the Glasgow University gents who were caught up in a New Year storm in 1928.

They certainly reached the valley floor only to perish on the track on the way out Rothiemurchus.

From Hugh Barrie's poem.

'Find me a windswept Boulder for a Bier'

Comments

Using the Burma Road to reach the Dulnain and beyond.

The rough Estate track is approachable from the A9 road close to Aviemore and is used, in addition to the now Forestry work that is at present ongoing, and by walkers and off road cyclists. The way upwards gives very fine views outwards to the Cairngorm hills and from the high point on the track access to one of the Corbett hills and the way outwards and down into the quiet Glen through which flows the Dulnain river a tributary of the river Spey. Through the gate then ramping upwards. The Cairngorms appearing much grander with the additional cloud. The high point on the trail. Reaching the Glen and with the restored cottage at Caggan below. Below can just be seen the bridge to cross the Dulnain River. From the bridge crossing looking upstream to an estate Bothy and into an area when Curlews, Oystercatchers and Lapwings arrive for the Summer. The upstream Bothy. To a past Guardian of the Glen. The fine looking Croft at Insharn through which the N7 cycle route passes. The track divides

Glen Tromie, the Gravel Track, the Corbett, and Glen Feshie.

We began this day out from the Wildlife Park with just a short distance into Kingussie the only part of the journey that was on a road with traffic. I don't think that bikes and traffic mix well on a busy road. However we survived the ride during the few kilometres into the village. We were happy to reach the Speyside Way trail and follow this off-road to reach Tromie Bridge and then follow the Glen track until we left it to gain the Gravel Trail. Some old farm buildings that have become Holiday accommodation. A fine wee cottage above Lynaberack Lodge. Bhran Cottage. A look down on the way to the upper part of the Tromie. Now on the gravel making use of the surface to reach the higher ground. The surface has been established for vehicles to reach the area when the planting of millions of trees happens. I guess that fences will come soon? However the track is very well made with loads of drainage systems and the edges have been re-established with the vegetation. A very different

A Herding Dog visits a small area of the Cuillin.

Over two days Spot walked over a few of the smaller hills in the area. The first day was on Hills above Loch Slapin Sgurr nan Each, the Corbett Garbh-bheinn and the Graham Belig. On the second day after leaving the vehicle at Elgol the water taxi was taken into Scavaig and Loch Coruisk was walked around and then the coastal path was followed past the wee, so called, bad step to get to Camasunary Bay and then continuing coastal path walked back to Elgol. A cool down after a day out. Where the water taxi leaves from to reach the Cuillin. Happy to be at Coruisk....lots of fresh water to swim in. Camasunary Bay with the South flank of Blabheinn behind. The path down to Elgol...Rum in the distance.

Getting about in the hills on foot and by cycle.

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