Sue and Martin in Mallorca 2019

Sue and Martin in Mallorca 2019
On the Archduke's Path in Mallorca

Tuesday, 23 May 2023

Tuesday 23 May 2023 - Meall Alvie

Simon (owner of Thornbank Cottage where we are staying) arrived last night and we enjoyed a good meal at Farquharson's.

A slower start today involved Sue and Simon heading up to the Linn of Dee and cycling to Derry Lodge. From there they climbed Carn a' Mhàim and Ben Macdui. The latter confounded the forecast as it was crowned by a cloud. They got back at 6:30, in need of beers.

Meanwhile, I enjoyed a 16km walk from Braemar, as far as the 560 metre summit of Meall Alvie and back. The path out of Braemar joins the Queen's Drive, from where the header picture was taken. Nice views.

The Deeside Way route is being extended to Braemar. There's a need for an off road path between Invercauld bridge and the Lion's Face path. The route has been partially built but comes to an end about 800 metres beyond the bridge (going east to west). Apparently the landowner refused permission for a 2 metre wide path across the hillside, so the project is on hold until a new plan, with the path beside the road, is approved for the 700 metre section of path involved. Hence, currently, The Path to Nowhere.

I used the new path, albeit barriers discouraged that, as it was much safer than continuing along the road.

Keiloch was reached, from where I took the track towards Felagie.

A turn right, along a much rougher track, took me to about 420 metres, leaving a steep uphill grind through deep heather and bilberry bushes to the 560 metre summit.


There were good views all around and I lunched to the pleasant song of a willow warbler. Ben Avon was particularly on view, as was Balmoral Castle in the other direction. No other walkers were seen.



Reversing the route was quite straightforward, and I was back at Thornbank Cottage by around 2:30.

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