Please Note: Tominuird diversion

An information note from our colleagues from the Cairgorms National Park....

Important Notice

Due to felling operations the section of the Speyside Way through Tom an Uird Wood between Mains of Dalvey and Cromdale will be closed for three weeks from the 3rd of September 2010. Please use the signed alternative along the minor road from Milton via Rynaballoch to meet with the Speyside Way at Cromdale as shown on the map below. This diversion will add approximately 2 miles onto the Ballindalloch to Grantown section of the route and you should add an extra hour onto your route time.

The diversion is all on minor roads, so beware of traffic, but offers some fantastic views of the Hills of Cromdale and if you have time why not explore the ruins of Lethendry Castle and the Haughs of Cromdale where in 1690 Government forces crushed the first Jacobite uprising. Standing by Clach nam Piobair (the Pipers Stone) you hear the mewing of buzzards but listen hard and you could hear the skirl of pipes echoing down the ages.

The summer that never was...

We are enjoying a dry (ish) week for the first time since the end of June. July and August have been amongst the worst I can remember, not for total quantities of rain but for the fact that it rained at some time nearly every day. Winter forage for sheep and cattle is in short supply - there is no hay in this area because of the continual rain and silage is alo scarce. The cold wet spring followed by a dry June led to grass going to seed rather than bulking up - let's hope we do not get a winter like the last one. The schools have gone back and swallows are starting to assemble on the wires in preparation for departure - a sure and unmistakeable sign that Autumn is upon us - a time of year I personally always find rather sad.