Sep 26, 2008
Part 3 of my journey across Scotland. After a lively night in Kingussie where I would eat way too much and not drink enough I would drag myself back to hiking around 10:00AM. I should have splurged and bought some eggs and made an omelet for myself in the hostel's kitchen. Live and learn. Over the next 3 days I would hike about 52 kilometers to reach the town of Braemar. The Bulk of that hiking would be on the second day and if it hadn't been for that day the hike itself would have been rather dull. Should I hike between these two town again I hope I can find a nicer route to the western edge of River Feshie.
But the hike had many high points including my time spent at Ruigh-aiteachain Bothy with numerous other Challengers. My brief visit to Ruthven Barracks was also enjoyable though I should have spent more time there. Mar Lodge was also a very pleasant surprise and I am glad I learned of it from Russ.
From a hiking standpoint the high point has to be the walk across the Feshie watershed through the southern marches of Cairngorn National Park. Being able to do that with other made the trek much easier but I'm sure I would have made my goals had I gone across alone.
Places I stayed at:
I was able to snag a room at Mar Lodge. The room cost about £15 and was quite posh with the notable exception of the gross teapot. The building has extensive kitchen facilities as does the bunkhouse where many other Challengers were staying. If you know you are going to stay here you could, as some like Laura and Mary Ann, mail food to the lodge and prepare yourself a fine meal or two. It's a fascinating place, not to be missed.
I managed to locate a room at the Callater Lodge. It was what was available and I think the rate was around £35 for the night. While I've no doubt I could have saved plenty of money staying at the hostel I was happy where I was. But if I pass through again and make reservations ahead of time perhaps I'll try the hostel and save £20.
Sites of interest:
You can find some of my trip journals for this trip at A Wandering Knight Blog. Other journals and much more at my main personal site.
The official site of the TGO Challenge.