Good to hear your views Colin and I see what you mean - snow on the ground up there could make navigation tricky in bad weather. I crossed the Feith Buidhe just above Loch Avon on a very wet day in autumn a couple of years ago - it was knee deep but not terribly fast so seemed quite safe but I can imagine it could be a fearful proposition in really bad conditions and crossing higher up would be difficult.

Makes me think how useful the vetting system would have been to me when I first started walking in Scotland (I didn't have a clue even though I'd done a lot in the Lakes). Has anyone ever discussed extending it to a wider audience? I think a lot of people who only do days would love to get some help and support with multi day walks.

Mark,
I'm sure the vetters will appreciate the compliment your comment below pays to their knowledge, patience, dedication and expertise etc.

"Makes me think how useful the vetting system would have been to me when I first started walking in Scotland (I didn't have a clue even though I'd done a lot in the Lakes). Has anyone ever discussed extending it to a wider audience? I think a lot of people who only do days would love to get some help and support with multi day walks."

However I fear you have not fully thought through this suggestion for the following reasons.

The vetters are a team of volunteers. They spend a great many of their leisure hours between November and May each winter & spring studying maps on behalf of ourselves and TGOC.
To suggest they extend this time consuming service to virtually all comers is thus IMO inconsiderate.

There is also the very important issue of liability and insurance cover for same to be considered and paid for.

Frankly I think your idea is a non starter but I'll be very interested to see what others, especially any members of the vetting team who wish to comment think.

Ian

Sorry if it sounded inconsiderate Ian - that wasn't my intention (especially as you vetted my route on my only previous challenge and I was enormously grateful for the wise advice you gave me on that occasion).

You're quite right it wasn't thought out just a spur of the moment suggestion that there might be opportunities there - but I appreciate it may have been misplaced . . .

No harm done Mark and I fully appreciate your thoughts were intended as high praise for the vetting team.
I'll email you directly over this weekend.
Just in case anyone thinks my email to Mark may be of a critical nature let me assure you all it certainly wont be.

Ian

Thanks a lot Julie, I'm glad to hear that you had a similar route approved. I think I am stressing a bit too much about trying to make the "perfect" route when I'm sure whichever route I pick will end up being perfect! I'll go re-think how much I want to get to Braemar vs going directly to Ballater.

Thanks again, it is very appreciated to get help and advice from others!

Hi Melissa, if you have the option of 2 or 3 days to Braemar could you have the option of waiting at the Fords of Avon for the water to subside if you got there and couldn't cross? This could be an option if combined with the Balleter FWA.

And if you did go that way I think the route along the River Gairn could be really interesting - I'm going that way and from what I read it was once home to a lot of people so I'm anticipating some interesting ruins and powerful atmosphere.

Best wishes with whatever you decide.

Thanks Mark, I'll check out the River Gairn option- I love history so old ruins sounds interesting.

At the moment I should have an extra day to play with should the water levels be too high, so that might also work out.

I cannot think that I would want to spend a day sitting around at the Fords of Avon in foul weather, with nothing to do except stare at the water and wait for it to subside.

Having done Glen Builg, I would also say that I do not relish the thought of using it as a FWA. Look how the path crosses and re-crosses the stream. Those were all "trousers off" crossings for me in fair weather. What would they be like in a howling gale, with the stream in spate, and the rain tipping down? If using this as a FWA I would be looking to head for Corgaff - but that, in turn, begs questions about re-connecting with your main route.

Much as I hate to say it, there really is no better choice of FWA for getting across / through / round the Cairngorms than the Feshie - Geldie link.

With that in mind, I would also eschew the Camping Ground at the foot of the Lairig Ghru. Yes, it gives you a few kilometres head start, and may be necessary if you are trying to get right through to Braemar in a single day's walking; but if you wake to adverse weather, you've got to backtrack a LONG way to get into Glen Feshie. Far better to stop overnight in Aviemore (where the Youth Hostel is excellent) and aim to make it no further than White Bridge. This can be done in a day from Aviemore whether going through the Ghru or Feshie - Geldie.

Thanks a lot Jeremy. I'm happy to hear all this as it largely matches what I ended up planning in my route. I've got an extra day to play with to get to Braemar so don't need to rush.

Thanks again