hi john, Kirstens advice is good.The A'n though is not short.I camped in Strath Nethy 2009 in the hurricane or similar,camped in Builg, reached Ballater next day.i would suggest you post your route in AsSoonAs to get the opinion of a vetter.They can best help you,and allow time to modify,if necessary.i planned Fords of Avon last year and abandoned the idea at Aviemore with snow and managed a 6th crossing because the weather eased eventually at Braemar.

There were four of us agreed to walk together to the Fords on the second Friday last year, in case there were difficulties. The weather was awful, horizontal sleet and snow and we expected the Fords to be tricky, but in fact just tripped across with ease. You won't know till you get there, so have a plan, we were perhaps just lucky.