You will need Ordnance Survey map 35, Kingussie. From Kincraig take the minor road by Loch Insh to the B970. Follow the latter road south-west for half a mile, then turn south for two miles for a lovely forested drive to a signposted parking area, at map ref 842009, on the west side of the River Feshie.
Now for the cycle, at first a short distance to the end of the public road at a wooden bridge over the Allt Fhearnasdail. The road, by now of rougher nature, continues south towards Tolvah to meet the estate road at map ref 842997 and a return to sup
erb Tarmac.
It is a lovely cycle on this private road on the west side of the River Feshie, with open views of the glen once past Stronetoper.
Continue to Carnachuin, at map ref 846938 and a few yards beyond a right of way sign look out for a hidden-at-first track that cuts down to the left to a broad wooden bridge. It should be noted that this bridge has seen better days, is not now being maintained and thus failing fast. Even decades ago it tilted downstream. Look out for the warning sign. Cross at your own risk, with only two at a time advised.
Take the track that goes through a delightful semi-wooded meadow to Ruigh-aiteachain, half a mile to the south, where the bicycles are then padlocked. Ruigh-aiteachain is a well-appointed bothy, maintained by the Mountain Bothies Association, and is where the Victorian artist Edwin Landseer reputedly painted all those stags, including Monarch of the Glen. Well, almost there. Close at hand is a single chimney, all that is left of his encampment, in reality a number of huts.
If the weather is adverse, the bothy makes a good resting place before retreating.
A short distance south of the bothy (ignoring a path that leads to the bothy's water supply), follow a stalkers' path that climbs east, then SSE, through woodland. It promises a clearly defined heathery track at first, leading to the open slopes north-west of Creag na Gaibhre.
The path then gets lost in the overgrown heather. It is mapped as continuing SSE, then zigzagging to reach Creag na Gaibhre, peak of the goats, but if you give up on looking for it you'll find it is just as easy to head directly south-east on the heathery slopes.
The terrain improves with height and the walk from the summit cairn of Creag na Gaibhre to reach the Lochan nam Bò, lochan of the cattle, could not be easier.
Linger a while before returning to the bothy, then enjoy the freewheel ride, swooping back to the car park.
Factfile
Map Ordnance Survey map 35, Kingussie
Distance 12 miles, of which 9 miles cycled
Height 400m
Terrain Tarmac road, track then path leading to heathery slopes
Start point Parking area at map ref 842009 on a minor road two miles south of the B970 on west side of the River Feshie
Time 4 to 5 hours
Nearest village Kincraig
Nearest refreshment spot Loch Insh Watersports Centre restaurant
The full article contains 535 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
