spare

Full steam ahead

Aviemore to boat of garten

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Robin Howie

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Two weeks ago I was in the Borders on part of the Southern Upland Way; this week it is the Highlands and the Speyside Way, another waymarked long distance route. First opened in 1981 to run from Ballindalloch to Spey Bay and completed in 2000, it generally follows the River Spey from Aviemore to Spey Bay, then on to Buckie. Excluding a spur to Tomintoul, that gives a distance of 63 miles.

On the visit Margaret and I made it seemed appropriate to start from Aviemore and after recommended scones at the Mountain Caf we had a most enjoyable outing to Boat of Garten, then back to Aviemore, a section with the Strathspey Steam Railway for company. This runs for ten miles from Aviemore via Boat of Garten to Broomhill on part of the original Highland Railway. Restored in 1978 and extended to Broomhill in 2002, the bulk of the work is under- taken by volunteers. It is great fun and well worth a trip. See below for contact details.