Shutterstock / john paul slinger©This week, Willie’s heading up to the ever-popular resort town of Aviemore and a climb above glorious Glenmore.
When I was wee, I used to love when the family holidays included a stop-off in Aviemore. I’d pester my parents silly for just another shot on the go-cart track so much that eventually they’d give in. If only to keep the peace.
There’s always a lot of steer around Aviemore. Now, though, I’m happy to pass through without stopping and head instead for the quieter tracks of Rothiemurchus and the high Cairngorms.
The Herdsman’s Hill
One of the finest introductions to this beautiful part of the country is the walk I was taking from Glenmore today. It starts up a steep track from behind Glenmore Visitor Centre. Passing through the pine woods, it heads on up to the 2,654 feet high summit of Meall a’Bhuachille – the “herdsman’s hill”.
What grand vistas there are to enjoy along the way – over Loch Morlich; to the Cairngorms and away to Loch Garten and Abernethy Forest.
From the top, a steep track continues down to the Ryvoan Pass with its little hill bothy. Then it’s on down the “Thieves Road” – part of the ancient route between Glenmore and Nethy Bridge, to the Green Loch.
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This is surely one of the most picturesquely set lochs in the whole of Scotland. When there, though, just keep watch for you never know who you might meet above its wooded shores.
This is, after all, where the fairies come to wash their clothes – and that, of course, explains why the water is so green!
