The hill on the middle of the moor with fantastic views.....Stob na Cruaiche

Hill: Stob na Cruaiche (Stub of the heap) (A’Chruach) (The heap)

Type: Fiona

Height: 739m

After some internal debate I decided to make this a linear bike/hike rather than a ridge circular. The main factor was that the weather was due to worsen, heavy rain, just after lunchtime and I had minimal wet gear with me.

Parked up at Rannoch Station with more blue sky above than expected. My 1^st issue was getting the bike through the gate at the railway. More than wide enough for a walker but very tight for a heavy MTB. Eventually I won the battle but spoiled the start.

The cycle was only 2 miles but even this involved a couple of wrong turns before I reached the timber lorries turning spot.

Bike was tied to a tree in clear view of anyone coming along the track but little other option. Then walked back past the turning circle where I found the ATV track.

It was a steep wee start but for a kilometre or so it is a wet boggy quagmire with much sideways jumping to stay on some dry bits. It has been reinforced in the past with wood slats and planking but much of that has been broken/eroded.

However it did not take long to break the treeline and get out onto the moor and onto a ‘slightly better’ ATV track, note the wording.

I was aware that the ATV had a deviation on my right and that this should not be missed or it was a long slog through pathless peat bogs.

A couple of times I thought I had spotted it but they soon turned back to the main track just avoiding more bog.

Finally another faint track went right which I followed and this time it was the real deal. The gradient was now super good, a long slow ascent. Of course the track was lost and then re-found but overall it was good going, soft underfoot, a nice change.

I had my eye on a single point that looked like a summit trig. Motivation works differently for everybody but the way my mind works I was happy to focus on this as the summit even though I knew it certainly wasn’t. But it worked until I reached it, which of course was not a trig but a slim pointed rock, and then had to refocus on another target.

The ATV track largely evaded the peat hags which was a good thing as the few encountered were deep trenches.

Plus this route which mainly headed west gave great views ahead of the remote water potted landscape of Rannoch moor along with the spectacular Black Mount and Glencoe Munros, more wow moments.

The final section twisted and turned where I was now on a steeper gradient to the summit but all in all still great going.

Before long the trig was reached. Yet another occasion where a relatively infrequently walked hill provides fantastic views due to its stand alone position.

The viewpoint has to cover at least 30 Munros as well as everything else.

Orchy/Glencoe/Nevis/Corrour/Alder

Missed by many a bagger but that is their loss, this stand alone peak is a top notch viewing point.

A simple return by the same route. The terrain was too rough for me to consider an alternative tramp. I still enjoyed great views over Rannoch Moor.

Getting lower down the Lochs of Rannoch, Eigheach & Laidon came into view shimmering in the harsh light. The weather was changing as I watched clouds on my left swiftly running past depositing rain/sleet but not on me today.

Even the muddy track in the woods seemed more straightforward than the ascent.

Bike still attached to the tree so all that was left was the short cycle and another battle with the kissing gate. During the struggle I thought that I was going to have to remove the front wheel at one point to get it through, the joys.

Because of the hills remoteness I was very surprised by the lack of birdlife in both the forest and on the moor. Even the Pipits and Skylark seen were less than the fingers on one hand. Plover & Grouse one spot each. Zero raptors or corvids, when was the last time I did not see a Raven on a remote moor, not often.

The sun had come back out with warmth so wandered to the station tearoom to find that they would not serve me if I wanted to sit outdoors, I would have to use the take away facilities, tourism in Scotland!!

Ascent: 570m

Distance: 14.5km

Time: 3.32

Wildlife: Coal Tit; Great Tit; Red Grouse; Meadow Pipit; Skylark; Golden Plover;

A long bike/hike but well worth it.....Stob an Aonaich Mhor

Hill: Stob an Aoinaich Mhor (Peak of the big crest)

Type: Corbett

Height: 853m

A short Perthshire trip to collect a couple of overdue hills. But help ma boab! We have had really warm weather so for once and along with the forecast I did not fill the car with all my gear, no waterproofs/warm gear. Yip you guessed correctly this morning I woke up to low grey cloud and drizzle.

A lovely early morning drive to the start with the clouds starting to lift and the odd patch of blue sky appeared.

This was planned as a bike hike trip but I already had a concern. I knew that at the start there was a locked vehicle gate which the estate were not likely to open for a cyclist. What would I find? Luckily it did have a small pedestrian side gate which thankfully my bike got through.

From here there followed an 8 mile cycle to get to the start of the walking bit. All gradually uphill so the walking bit was minimised. My other concern was that some previous reports had mentioned encountering cattle on route but although I cycled past 3 feeding stations thankfully no beasties were seen.

As it is 8 miles long the ascent is gradual with only a couple of steep pitches. The early couple of miles had quite a broken surface, lots of big holes and loose stones so constantly winding through the gaps.

When I turned one corner a couple of roe deer appeared, looked at me and just as quickly disappeared behind the lumps.

It was cool but not overly cold the cycling keeping my body temperature up. A glance to my side where I spotted the pointed peak of Schiehallion poking out above the clouds.

Along the way I had a couple of season firsts, a Cuckoo calling (about time, late this year) and the Wheatears which were numerous. 

Also I encountered a large herd of wild goats including many young looking kids but they ran just as fast as the adults when I approached.

This is rough rugged and very isolated terrain. I noticed a sizeable hydro dam which I believe is located at the start of Loch Ericht. I would get much more spectacular loch views from the summit.

This already seemed like a long bike ride and I could see the track continuing quite far away. Looking at the OS map I was only about half way through the cycle. I originally thought it was 6 miles but turned out to be 8 miles. Onwards and upwards, very cool at times.

Finally my hill is the one in the background, some sun as well!!

I had my sights on a rugged lump which I thought might be the target but it turned out that this was Carn Dearg although mine did come into view not long after. According to the map I was cycling though the Talla Bheith Forest but that forest was a long time ago as there was a distinct lack of natural trees, the odd pine plantation dotted around.

I was taken aback to see a car come over a top heading my way. I stopped to let them past and disappointingly no acknowledgement from the two females. Presumably from Corrievarkie Lodge. 

Not the most secure place to lock up the bike but I didn't really expect it to disappear

Soon after I was glad that it was time to park the bike and get those boots working on that hill.

Looks a lot flatter than it was but just keep heading to the high point, then the next etc

Looking up there was no sign of the top but I knew it was not far away, it was going to be a series of elevations. The terrain was heather and peat hags but there were plenty of dry grassy sections to take advantage of.

As such I took a direct line towards the top which was straightforward enough. The peat hags could be easily crossed or avoided so not a hazard.

I was in no rush and enjoyed the slow steady plod. As expected upon reaching a visual high line there would be another one beyond it and then repeat. But as said it was fairly gentle and pleasant ascent. There were hundreds of red deer hoof prints and fresh droppings but sadly no live beasts spotted.

Then I had a nice surprise when I hit upon the summit cairn without realising I was almost there, a very pleasant surprise.

Ben Alder range

Looking back down Loch Ericht Corrour Munros still with some snow

And also a wow moment when I hit the ridge the Ben Alder Munros suddenly appeared. Throw in the very steep view down into Loch Ericht, this was a very airy potentially vertigo feeling moment.

View North towards Dalwhinnie

Wide shot of the Alder Munros and Loch Ericht

Great views all round but the rear side hills were dark forbidding moorland lumps compared to the brighter Alder hills. The dark side were mainly the Dalnaspidal Corbetts.

After taking in the views I took a more varied track taking more advantage of the grassy sections and avoiding the hags.

On descent long view of the dam at Loch Ericht

Wheatear

Glen Lyon hills on the distance

Back on the bike there were sections of fun cycling which is why I love bike/hiking. At times fast eye popping descent trying to avoid the many potholes and not slide on the scree. Plus taking caution to avoid the large tyre damaging sharp edged stones. But I did also stop on a few occasions to take in the views. It is easy to just keep cycling and miss out on them but I was in no rush.

And this tick is also the completion of Section 5 in the SMC Corbetts book Loch Rannoch to Drumochter.

Happy with that, it would have been a long slog up and back on that hard packed surface.

Ascent: 771m

Distance: 28.8km

Time: 3.34

Wildlife: Red Grouse; Pheasant; Buzzard; Great Tit; Meadow Pipit; Wheatear; Skylark; Roe Deer; Woodpecker (h); Cuckoo (h); Feral Goats; Common Frog;

Biking the Speyside Way.....Craigellachie - Ballindalloch

Speyside Way: Craigellachie – Ballindalloch

A few days ago this option looked like the perfect cycling day but I was woken by a heavy shower battering the windows. Decision time, I had completed all the walks that I had planned, indeed more than I had planned, but I did not want a wasted day.

Sadly showers for most of the day was the forecast on the BBC report. Along with temperatures dropping and turning much colder. As always on a solo trip throw everything into the car so I had all my wet weather gear thus it was a goer.

I parked slightly away from the formal start as I wanted to visit the Telford Bridge on my return.

As said on my last report navigating whilst cycling is an issue so I hummed and hawed about heading down to a wooded car park, no Speyside Way signage but this looked an obvious spot. Fortunately I did and I was correct.

I knew that this entire section would be relatively flat and would not need my dubious navigating skills as it is almost a straight line following the river. Wow, actually following the river was a bit of a novelty. So no deviations unless I opted for one of the several offered on route. But none of these deviations were planned for me today, with the forecast I wanted the straight out and back route.

From the start this was a beautiful eye catching bike ride. At this time of year the trees were vibrant bursts of colour but so was the track. I was constantly riding on a bed of fallen leaves and pine needles, all shades, quite stunning.

Plus for a large part of the cycle I actually had the River Spey in sight, even at eye level, miracles will never cease.

As I skirted Aberlour the 1^st of three heavy showers dropped a deluge on me but dubious balancing skills I got my hood up and continued on my way.

As someone who was occasionally partial to a malt it was fantastic to be cycling past so many distilleries right beside the track, the aroma frequently made me think about stopping a buying a bottle.

Dailuaine, I liked the simplicity but would have liked a wee bit of info, guess its a private remembrance.

I always stop and take a look at War Memorials when I pass them but this oh so simple one was interesting. No names, why and how I don't know but it was effective.

Apparently free camping here for Speyside Way walkers. Multi bird feeders so presumably a private house.

Another highlight of this section is that for the most part you are cycling along the old railway track. Some are abandoned stations with a some of the structure left, buildings and platforms, but others have been converted into homes.

Not only are there plenty of tourist snap opportunities it wouldn't be the River Spey without the Salmon fishing huts. Not sure how many fishing beats this section is divided into but there were a lot of huts around but a lack of anglers.

Today’s daft question is how fast does a male pheasant run? Well after surprising 3 different males at different times today they all took off down the track running in front of me for about 100 yards. We maintained the same distance on each occasion and the speed was just over 10mph. I had a laugh shouting get out of the way your slowing me down. The females were more sensible, when spooked they immediately took off and flew into the trees, energy saved. It made me reflect on how many odd wildlife situations I have encountered over the years, I have been fortunate.

Another aspect of this stretch was just how many bridges/tunnels I went under/over/through there were so many. Some were very narrow and one memory was of a wooded narrow bridge just after Aberlour. It had a sign saying for safety a maximum 5 people at a time. Too narrow to cycle so I walked across, just me and the heavy Ebike and was aware of the wood creaking under me.

The section finished at another ex-station, Ballindalloch but for some reason the small parking area was sign posted as Cragganmore!

At the end of this section I took some time to reflect on a super bike ride, it would have been even better on a dry day but would have taken much longer as I would have stopped so often to take photos.

Highly recommended as a bike or walk at this time of the year.

Magnificent iron cast bridge with faux pas turrets at each end. No longer in use for road traffic.

Simply returned the same way. As I was passing Aberlour my senses were overwhelmed with a huge scent of sweetness. What was it I thought then I spotted the sign for the Walkers shortbread factory. It made a change from the aroma of the distilleries.

 So same route apart from the short extension to visit the magnificent Telford Bridge.

Back at the car cleaning the mud and debris off the bike before getting it on the bike rack was a big task in itself. It takes longer than cleaning walking boots but it did not spoil the day, it was a memorable bike ride.

Ascent: 68m

Distance: 40.9km

Time: 3.11

Wildlife: Pheasant; Jay; Goosander; Wood Pigeon; Jackdaw; Rook; Chaffinch; Great Tit; Blue Tit; Coal Tit; Robin; Blackbird; Mallard

Biking the Speyside Way.....Fochabers - Craigellachie

Walk/Bike: Speyside Way Fochabers – Craigellachie circuit

The logistics of transport from the beginning at Fochabers and getting back again from my base made this unpractical to do as a ramble but it could certainly be done by bike, so that was my choice.

It was a colder morning than the previous days when I arrived at my starting point at the square in Fochabers. The sky was bright enough with high level clouds but I was under a bit of time pressure as a south to north weather front was promising heavy rain by afternoon. Indeed the good lady sent me a message that it was already heavy rain in Barassie. Hence my early start.

I love biking but it has one big failure that I need to address as it impacted me several times recently. That is I do not have a phone mount on my handlebars so if unsure I have to stop, get the phone out of my pocket, reconfigure and get on with it. But this is bloody annoying and getting from the town square to the proper waymark start was one of those. Up and down streets, alongside dog walkers, no signs to be seen until there was one after the school, yahoo.

I confess that I had not carried out the best preparation. I had looked at the route and noted one possible route blocker for the bike. I had only glanced at the elevation, a glance was not nearly enough as it turned out. And of course the unknown quantity of gates. They get mentioned but would I get past with a bike, that was a big concern? It did not help that my Cicerone guide details it as a south to north trip so I lost a bit of interest reading it. PS: my copy is also well out of date as I found out en route.

Attractive rural landscape outside Fochabers

From my research I knew that it would be hard going at times but it turned out to be a bigger adventure than expected.

Once out of Fochabers I expected a fairly gentle quiet stretch of road that turned out to be a mini mountain stage of the Tour de France. Up and down from the start to Ordiequish Hill and then a vertical descent from the Earth Pillars car park, a hair pin bend and back up an even steeper ascent praying a car did not materialise in front of me.

Through a pleasant forest section then another steep twisting fast descent where I did meet traffic. An old dear in her old Suzuki, in the middle of a narrow road, not expecting me, eyes agog as I flashed passed almost taking her wing mirror off. Of course right on her tail was another Suzuki, this time an old boy whose passenger I briefly noticed had her hand over her mouth, that gave them something to talk about over their scones and as for me it certainly got my heart rate up.

Workers on right of bridge and another on for getting equipment across the left and the boat

Arrived at Boat o' Brig and spent a few minutes resting and watching the workers on the bridge over the Spey. This would be a cold job at this time of the year.  

The next bit was my main concern, a set of steps which were narrow and full of fallen leaves, slippery as hell. My heavy MTB does not like being pushed and I shoved my glasses in to my pocket as they had steamed up. Got the bike after a lot of huffing and puffing. No sign left or right? 

Last sight of the Spey for a while before turning back and heading inland

Well this is the Speyside Way and the right followed the river, wrong! Thankfully not too far down I did another phone check and turned back. 

The start of the gloopy section alongside the farm

This and the following section to Bridgeton Farm was a muddy challenging bike ride but I did not fall off into the gloop, bonus point achieved.

Glad to get on a non muddy track I cycled gaily enjoying the view until I spotted a road ahead which shouldn’t have been there.

Of course I had rode passed the turn off but in my defence there was no signage until after the turn off.

I arrived at the shooting range where the red warning lights were flashing away. The SW sign was posted beside one of the bright lights so I missed the cut off before retreating without some hillbilly getting his pot-shot in.

Steam coming out of the Rothes distillery

Start of the worst biking section

Another challenging section with so much debris hiding the tree roots and the large rocks that regularly kicked the bike off course. If I had came off there was a nasty drop on my right and I got very close to it at times. On the final ascent both tyres spun out and I had to jump off and push but luckily I was almost at the top joining part of the Ben Aigan track system.

I had a wee get my breath back break. I was pleased as I thought that I had done most of the climbing but boy was I wrong.

The high point, still looking good over the Moray Firth

The next section dropped at first then rose and rose. I could see the Spey way below me thinking this is not right the route I should be alongside it. No doubt the farming and sporting estate interests have blocked it.

I was about to descend so went to put on my glasses and discovered that they were not in my pocket I had obviously not zipped it fully enough. Very annoyed as they were not cheap. Frustrated I decided that I would change my planned return route and backtrack via this route.

Even now I thought it was downhill all the way to Craigellachie but far from it. More up and down and on one fast downhill I turned a corner to meet a pair of old codgers on my right side. I was doing around 25mph and they were doing about 5mph so I had to react quickly and just managed to avoid them.

Long view of the Telford Bridge

From here the section down to Craigellachie was longer than I thought so when I reached my finish point I stopped for refreshment and thinking time. 

My finish point the Fiddichside Inn

I was annoyed at losing the glasses but the effort of returning over that high ground and the dangers of descending the leafy muddy sections made my mind up. Cheer up, positive thoughts only, need to phone the good lady and tell her my Xmas pressie has been decided!!

I took the main road up to Rothes, stopping to view the old bridge.

A few close passes to irritate me, mainly white van men. Leaving Rothes I took the side road that would run alongside the Spey and eventually get me back to Fochabers. It was much quicker on the tarmac and although it was up and down a lot less so than had I backtracked.

I had been thinking about where I could have lost my glasses. I looked over and saw the Spey bridge where the steps were, one possible location as I had to manhandle the bike up them. About half a mile away so I detoured over to it. Not overly confident I walked up the steps and there they were, half buried, lying in the leaves, wow, what a break.

As I was here I went back via my outward route, climbing up to the summit of Tor Hill before the gradient eased. A few miles later it was down and up hells glen and then it was time for a good downhill run back to the start.

Pine needles aplenty

So that was quite a trip and as said more demanding than expected, my legs were tired at the finish. One I will remember for some time. It was still dry but maybe the rain would have been welcomed to wash down the bike before getting it on the carrier.

Ascent: 761m

Distance: 40.9km

Time: 2.59

Wildlife: Grey Heron; Pheasant; Redwing; Dunnock; Blackbird;