WALKING festivals always make me laugh in that schoolboy way you know is stupid but can't help. I imagine a room full of people prancing around like John Cleese, comparing different ways of putting one foot in front of the other. But really, they are a great way of introducing people to the outdoors as well as providing new experiences for the converted. It would seem a bit silly to suggest changing the name just to stop my giggling.
Next weekend sees the start of the Aviemore and the Cairngorms Walking and Mountain Festival, a regular feature of the outdoors calendar of Scotland. Guided walks are complemented by activities from mountain biking, kayaking, white-water rafting, climbing and canyoning to the more genteel films and talks. See www.aviemorewalking.com for details.
And what better place to have such a festival – after all, as you enter the Cairngorms National Park over the Pass of Drumochter you are met with a welcoming party of Munros. One of the best is Meall Chuaich.
A lovely approach to the mountain itself allows you to leave the A9 behind and enjoy the solitude of remote country, and the summit provides good views of the surrounding mountains, especially the majestic Ben Alder range along Loch Ericht. An added advantage for 'baggers' is that the start point in Dalwhinnie is more than 1,000ft above sea level.
As the fuel panic was starting to grip Scotland, I decided to take the train to Dalwhinnie and see if going green was practicable. Everything worked well: I relaxed reading the paper on the way and was able to enjoy a pint before going home.
If the train is not for you, the walk can also be started by the A9 just north of Dalwhinnie at Cuaich.
As you follow an aqueduct (used to produce hydro-electric power), the mountain reveals itself and the walk up its broad south-west ridge becomes apparent.
This is a good route on which to use a mountain bike as the track next to the aqueduct makes for easy cycling and shortens the time. But make sure you keep stopping to appreciate the stillness of remote country as you approach the base of the mountain.
Once you leave the bike behind (around a locked bothy is a good place) the way does become steep for a while. But the effort is rewarded as the views open up and finally the ridge is reached.
On the way down, if you have any lunch left, take a detour right, after a locked bothy, to reach the edge of Loch Chuaich, framed by lunging, craggy mountainsides.
Although steep in places, this walk is a good day out for anyone of reasonable fitness. Some navigation skills may be needed near the top in mist or low cloud, so you will have to be able to use a map and compass – and take full mountain gear.
Distance 14 miles from Dalwhinnie station, nine miles from Cuaich.
Height climbed 2,020ft.
Time 5.5 to 7 hours from Dalwhinnie, 4 to 5.5 hours from Cuaich (an hour less by bike).
Map OS Landranger 42.
Park Either catch the train to Dalwhinnie (www.nationalrail.co.uk) or drive to a point on the A9 just over 2.5 miles north of the Dalwhinnie junction and park in a lay-by just south of Cuaich.
In summary On a bike from Dalwhinnie station, go down to the A889 and turn right. Just after The Inn go left, down a track to a gate. Cross this and follow the track up to an aqueduct. If parking by the A9, follow a track between the lay-by and Cuaich south-west to go up to the aqueduct.
Once by the aqueduct, follow it to a hydro-electric plant where you bear left. Go left again at a fork in the track, just after a bridge. Keep on the track when another cuts diagonally across it, then go right at a fork, along a slightly less distinct one.
Go past a bothy, cross a bridge over Allt Coire Chuaich, then, after 70 yards, go left, up a steep path through heather on to the broad south-west ridge of Meall Chuaich.
Follow the ridge, gradually bearing right until you are heading east to the summit cairn. Retrace your steps to the start.
Refreshments The Inn in the centre of Dalwhinnie is very pleasant.
While you are in the area The Dalwhinnie Distillery has tours and a shop (
www.discovering-distilleries.com/dalwhinnie).
The full article contains 766 words and appears in Scotland On Sunday newspaper.
