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Ralph Cox•Follow
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August 31, 2022

Corner to Corner, Day 31: Aviemore to Alness

https://www.cycling4charity.org.uk Checked Outlook emails, discovered Halifax had blocked payment and tonight's B&B had cancelled booking 4 days ago, despite having a record about this trip. Called this evening; apparently fraud monitoring might cause it again. Must monitor emails daily. Great journey, except when following NCN Route 1 to top of hill after Dingwall, saw causeway which could reduce distance and climb. Will investigate to revise route, I wrote at the time. I have. Via Cromarty Bridge which Google says, "pavement/cycle lanes on both sides", it is 1.5 miles less incl 0.1 less A road and climbing 125 fewer feet. Also to add 100ft/30m to, then back from, to see the Cumberland Stone (used as breakfast table then viewing point by English leader) after visiting Battle of Culloden field, before turning left to Culloden at the crossroads. Today's 68 miles more tiring having belted yesterday.
Distance
68.5 mi
Elev Gain
3,228 ft
Time
7h 9m
A young German couple whom I met at the Park Guesthouse, I think when checking out and saw again as we cycled back through and out of town, kindly donated. Their generosity touched me. 1899 St Andrew's CofS church directly opposte the Park Guesthouse, Aviemore. Aviemore's 4000 year old Ring Cairn and Stone Circle was 0.3 mile up our route on the right. There are two other ancient stone circles near Aviemore: one 4 miles south west; the other, about a mile north of our route. About the church: http://www.standrews-aviemore.org.uk About the clava cairns of Aviemore: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clava_cairns_of_Aviemore
Hadn't seen a C5 for a while. One of 14000 made. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sinclair_C5
This C5, which Ellis Brigham was proud to display, was promoting Abbie's Sparkle Foundation and 21 events over 21 months raising £21000 in support of children with cancer. Abbie's smile, sparkle and infectious enthusiasm inspired a mother of two to set up this project for completion by what would have been her 21st birthday in October 2023. https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/21sparklechallenge
Scottish Water fountain for you in Aviemore's main street
NCN Route 7 follows the Speyside Way in this delightful wood out of Aviemore. This and the next 5 photos - gorgeous. We cycle part of the Speyside Way on Day 40.
Having discovered the B&B for this evening had cancelled our booking, because I had not seen nor acted on emails about non-payment due to Halifax's fraud dept stopping payment despite them having a record about this trip and then learning that the B&B was now full, Lorraine checked Google Maps and rang the Commercial Hotel in Alness which had 2 single rooms and secure bike storage. Lorraine rightly advised it better to delay our departure and book now and have certainty during the day rather than trying to find somewhere whenever we reached the town. We estimated arrival by 20.00, rang at that time, finishing the day nearer 21.00.
The view on the left side of the track.
Then it got difficult for about 2 miles before beautifully smooth residential Tarmac. We heard a steam train whilst in that delight wood out of Aviemore, and in the rough ground section, met Andy. Andy is a train driver and was the only non-electric mountain bike rider we had previously seen. He had passed us earlier, and we encountered him waiting by a fence - for a train, an old goods locomotive and its several carriages. We had also met a couple from Northumbria on their electric mountain bikes, who'd been riding this route - I think the Speyside Way - annually for 30 years. The lady said it had improved. https://www.speysideway.org/route-sections-online-guide/
Ride Scotland cycle shop by Boat of Garten railway station. I was concerned my rear tyre in particular was low. They were all about right! Lorraine's front, which has a leak filled with gunge near the valve was at 60 and oozed more gunge as the tyre was filled by one of their helpful and enthusiastic staff.
A possibility for coffee nearby, I chose to get on as we had a long day's cycle. Category B listed Boat of Garten railway station, still as it was in British Railway days. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strathspey_Railway_(preserved)#Boat_of_Garten
A bit to adjust - along the cycle track instead of the road, though that had little traffic.
Cycle track beside the A95 before we turned onto the B9153
Carr-Bridge, home of the golden spurtle, world porridge making championship and the Scottish open chainsaw carving competition. Its parish church side-by-side with the village hall both looked attractive and like bungalows as we cycled past. Google Maps' Streetview includes a sign at the latter announcing it is "Home of the World Porridge Making Championship". I photographed neither as we needed to get on. https://www.goldenspurtle.com https://www.carvecarrbridge.com
Old Pack Horse Bridge in Carr-Bridge, built 1717 https://her.highland.gov.uk/Monument/MHG4627
River Dulnain, Carr-Bridge, which the Old Pack Horse Bridge traverses. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/River_Dulnain
A938. The A9 is to our left.
This, next and one more made into the panoramic below. After the A938 turns left into the A9, the road continues unclassified and rarely used. The dwarfing hills are the northern extent of the Cairngorms and include Carn Glas Choirr, 2162ft / 659m.
Panoramic of previous 2+.
At this point, our little used unclassified road has turned right into the A9 and we continue on a track, which must be the old A9.
The A9 is above the bike where that white blob is.
Old A9 track up to Slochd Summit, 1315ft/401m above sea level and a sign to be photographed beside which I missed and which is in the Wikipedia entry. Lorraine has such a photo which might appear in her blog. Richard Barrett (2021, p.174) says then "get ready for 18 miles net descent right down to the Moray Firth." The hamlet of Slochd preceding it is but 3 houses. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slochd_Summit
Category B listed 1897 Findhorn (railway) Viaduct and the A9 bridge beyond over River Findhorn come into view after perhaps a 2 mile roll down from the summit. It had been a gentle climb up, like most climbs so far in Scotland. The next couple of photos show the plain by the River Findhorn. About the rail bridge: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Findhorn_Viaduct_(Tomatin) About the river: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/River_Findhorn
Strathdearn valley.
Category B listed 1926 Findhorn Bridge which carries the old A9 across the river. https://canmore.org.uk/site/87490/findhorn-bridge
"The bridge was built in 1926 to replace the bridge built by Thomas Telford in 1833", which replaced an 1829 bridge by him lost in a flood.
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