Hi Peter, Scott
Thanks for your input.
The problem of avoiding hot spots is that anywhere around the Cairngorms that has a decent sized shop is by its nature, a hotspot. Even Braemar the biggest hot spot only has the small Co-op.
Aviemore and Ballater both have supermarkets but they have lots of tourists also.

As the feedback from Sue and Ali suggests, passing through Braemar only stopping long enough to buy food and a take away is looking like the way forward.

Thanks

Colin

You could always prepare a resupply parcel. The Braemar Mountain Sports shop has dehydrated meals too.
I must admit it was good to get the supermarket in Aviemore last year

What Grumpy said.
It's very much a matter of keeping safe yourself, and keeping others safe from you - so as little interaction with others as possible is best.