Good advice above. I just hope the guys who's route I am checking are not disappointed when they get my comments about their route!

If you plan on using Jock's Road, then your FWA pretty much has to take you round to the north of Lochnagar, and it'll be at least 2 days to get back on route (unless you were intending to drop down north east to Spittal of Glenmuick rather than go through to Clova).

The trick is to check the weather forecast at Braemar YH on your way through, and if it looks as though your FWA is going to be required, don't go up to Callater at all. Enjoy a night on the tiles in Braemar (the YH might have a bed, or you can get a pitch at the camp site, or find a quiet little wild pitch somewhere ... ) and you'll be able to enjoy a pleasant wander through the Balmoral Estate the following day. The authorised routes through the Balmoral Estate are all pretty pleasant even when the rain is howling and a heavy wind is falling ...