Braemar, July 25-30

July 25: Drove up on a Sunday, because I bought the new car on the Saturday. Car went like a rocket, pretty fair mpg. Left home at 9.30, arrived Braemar at 9.

July 26: Drove to Linn of Dee. Now have to pay to park, £2.00 outrageous. I nearly stormed off without paying as I had no change, but I turned round & managed to get some coins off another driver. I eventually left Linn of Dee at 11.15, walked to White Bridge, then headed north, and while I was stopped, 2 lads walked past me with quite big packs on, one was wearing sandals, and had his boots in his rucksack.

I carried on a fair way north, then approached Creagan nan Gabhar from the NW, then reached the top of Sgurr Mor at 3.45. I then carried along the ridge to Sgor Subh, then dropped down to the path from White Bridge. I opened my rucksack to look at my GPS, and it was not there. I must have left it at my last stop. Damn. Too tired to go back and look so carried on to Linn of Dee arrived there at 6.15. A good day in spite of losing my GPS.

July 27: GPS hunt. Back to Linn of Dee, set of at 9.45, went to Derry Lodge, then on towards Luibeg Burn, where I turned off & approached Sgor Dubh from the NW, on summit at 12.45. Tried to follow the route of yetarday’s descent, but could not find the GPS. Not helped by the quite thick heather and the fact that I could not remember where I last stopped. On Sgur Mor at 5.00, Linn of Dee at 7.15.

July 28: To Linn of Dee again, but no GPS search today, walked to Fords of Avon Bothy. Went via Derry Lodge and then on to the bothy, and crossed the river without too many problems, although I did manage to put my foot in the river once. Had a dryoing session at the bothy, fortunately it was dry, and had some lunch. Then headed back, arrived at Linn of Dee by 7.00

July 29: Drove to Auchallater Lodge, mistake, £2.50 to park a car. Set off at 11.00, walked down Glen Callater then on to the top of the ridge, to Sron non Gabhar, then on to Creag nan Gabhar, which I reached at 1.00pm, where I had lunch. I descended to Lochcallater Lodge, & had a look around the bothy, very comfortable, with an easy chair which I made use of. Nobody was staying there, returned along the track back to the car and into Braemar in sunshine.

July 30: Last day, packed up and drove to Linn of Dee yet again. I attempted yet another abortive search. A knackering ascent, and got back to the main track at 1.00pm. Tehn on to White Bridge, and headed for Corrour, which took ages, arrived at the junction of the paths at 4.20., Luibed at 5.20, Linn of Dee at 7. I checked in to the Morefield House Hotel, and had an excellent meal, and a good sleep.

July 31: Left for home at 9.30, after saying good bye to Kate Muirhead. Stopped just outside Blairgowrie to buy some raspberries, then on to Edinburgh to see Richard, and went out for a meal with him. Then started on the long journey south, got held up in a horrendous traffic jam outside Birmingham, at about 8.30, did not get free of it until 11.00. I stopped off at Warwick Service Station for a meal which was revolting, a huge contrast to my meal last night. Got home at 1.00a.m. Good week.