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Take the Perth Road, over the Spey Bridge and turn left onto the Nuide
Road
(Noid
-- the verdant dwelling place) , go through the first gate on the right and,
using the drainage tunnel (remember to keep your head down), cross under the A9,
or if you prefer, use the gate and cross the A9 with care. Turning left walk
alongside until you reach a plank bridge. This helps in crossing the awkward
dredged burn on the east side. Aim towards the right of the pylon which will
bring you to the path (it can be very wet at times) leading up over the
north-east ridge of Ordan Shios, (An t-Ordan Shios -- the eastern small
round hill), a prominent small rocky hill. A fine view can be had by taking a
short detour to its top. Carry on over the ridge keeping to the path, down to
Nuide Moss. The path here has been well constructed and gives a dry
straightforward route onto the peaty bog. Cross Nuide Moss and up to the top of
the small ridge until the deer fence is in sight. Spotted orchids grow
hereabouts. At the deer fence turn right until a gate is reached. Go through the
gate and cross the moor following the burn. The bridge on the old Wade Road
(built long before the road through Newtonmore) from Dalwhinnie (Dail
Chuinnidh -- the narrow meadow or the champions meadow) and Etteridge (Eadar
Rais -- between the woods) to Ruthven Barracks is now visible. At the
bridge join the Wade Road, turn left and follow it, going through the deer fence
again, past two lochs to an iron gate near Luib Leathan (An Luib Leathann
-- the broad bend) Cottage. Here there is a choice: either go through the gate
and keep to the Wade Road to Milehouse of Nuide, or take the left fork, without
going through the gate, which leads you back (across the A9) to take the old
"back" road, B970 opposite Nuide Farm. A third variation is to take
the path back to the B970 by Milton of Nuide, (you follow the path along the
fence until a second iron gate is reached). Turn left whether at Nuide or Milton
along the B970 back to Ralia (An Rath Liath -- the grey plain or
fortified dwelling). Although not far from Newtonmore, or the busy A9 bypass,
this route takes the walker through a peaceful stretch of moorland with few
signs of modern activity.
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