LOCH AN EILEIN AND TULLOCH

Not very many miles here, but you can do a lot of walking at Loch an Eilein, then the trip up the little known road to Tulloch leads to an ideal spot for a picnic. You can extend this trip out to Loch Morlich if you wish.

From Newtonmore, go north, to Kingussie, and turn right, towards Kingussie railway station (first right in the village). Cross the railway line and pass by Kingussie shinty field on your right, then cross the River Spey (careful  with oncoming traffic on the narrow bridge). You will soon come to Ruthven Barracks, on your left, where you can park in the lay-by on your right and walk up to the ruins. Continue along this road, crossing the River Tromie (stop here to gaze at the River from the bridge), then on through Insh village and past Jack Drake's Nursery at Inshriach (if you have an interest in alpine plants, a stop here will certainly reward you, with some rare and interesting plants, both in the garden and for sale). Continue on over Feshie Bridge (there is a picnic area here if you are feeling peckish).

After a couple of miles, look out for the small road to your right, to Loch an Eilein. This road is only a mile or so long, and takes you to a car parking area (this is a pay car park, to help with maintenance of the area, but it's not expensive). There is a small shop here in the summer months, and an interesting display. There is an excellent walk right round Loch an Eilein, if you have an hour or two to spare. In the centre of the Loch can be seen the ruins of a castle, once the home of the infamous Wolf of Badenoch, and latterly, the last place where Ospreys nested before their extinction in the Britain - a situation now happily rectified.

Returning to the road, continue on for another three miles or so, until you come to a T junction with the road from Aviemore to the Cairngorm Ski Area. Turn right, then take the next right, to Tulloch and Blackpark. 

After half a mile or so, bear sharp left, rather than keeping straight on and follow this road up the hill until you come to the end of the road. Here, you have superb views over to Braeriach and the Lairig Ghru, whilst from part way up the hill, you overlook Aviemore, with Loch Pityoulish in the distance. There are some superb wild Juniper bushes hereabouts, and the thinly scattered forest below you is the major remnant of the ancient Caledonian Pine Forest. This is a splendid spot for a picnic - but do take your litter home with you!

Return along this road, then either turn left, back to Aviemore, then left again to follow the old A9 back to Newtonmore, or if it's still early, turn right to go up to Loch Morlich and the Ski Area.