Suggestion to replace Feith Uaine Bothy (Tarf Hotel) with Ruighe Ealasaid (the Red House) in Cairngorms NP
I recently did a linear walk from Blair Atholl to Kingussie using 3 legs of the Scottish National Trail and would suggest that Ruighe Ealasaid (or The Red House) should be a node rather than Feith Uaine Bothy (Tarf Hotel). While farther away, there are good paths to and from that bothy that would make the walking much quicker, safer, and easier to navigate even if it's longer.
I understand that Slow Ways doesn't want to get distracted by national trails, but for this part of the Cairngorms, it makes the most sense to follow this path, excluding the longer path between Kingussie and Stonetoper (keep that Slow Way as it's the most direct and doesn't need to go through Inshriach Forest). In the Glen Tilt area I did a detour away from the path to climb the summits on pathless terrain and much of the parts without footpath is bog, heather, and long grass that also has a lot of holes (my partner fell stepping into one). I believe someone mentioned in an old post that it would require quite good navigational skills, good equipment/footwear, and confident walking. My mobile did just fine because I have a premium OS subscription, but without a subscription (or in the case tech doesn't work) a map and compass would be an absolute must on the route to Tarf Hotel.
By following the Scottish National Trail from Blair Atholl to the Red House, then the Red House to Kingussie, you'll have pretty good and safe paths. It'll also be a great walk to/from Braemar.
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Thanks Ingrina for the suggestion, I've added it to the network edits list for consideration when we do the next review.
This was such an interesting one to look into and reminded me of all the extra considerations - deer stalking, remoteness, wildlife sensitive areas. It looks as though the Feith Uaine Bothy - Braemar route already goes via Ruighe Ealasaid. Tarbra one has been flagged as needing revision due to proximity to sensitive areas for wildlife and not appropriate between April and October. I'm thinking Ruighe Ealasaid - Braemar would have similar considerations because the other part of the route Feith Uaine Bothy - Ruighe Ealasaid looks to be on the Scottish National Trail.
It's a good call and I wonder if having both Tarf Bothy and Ruighe Ealasaid might be the way we end up going.
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Adding it rather than replacing sounds like a good suggestion!
I might have misunderstood your point, but I don't think Ruighe Ealasaid-Braemar would take you off the footpath and road into sensitive wildlife areas. I haven't walked this section, but this assumption is based off a conversation we had with the caretaker of Ruigh Aiteachain (in Glenfeshie). He told us that Ruighe Ealasaid has been renovated in such a way that requires vehicle access (modern plumbing system I believe) from Braemar, so I'm making the assumption that it means the path is quite good if vehicles can travel on it (though I do note that there is a separate footpath from the road!).
From the map it looks like the section in question is on the Feith Uaine Bothy-Ruighe Ealasaid route, where it follows Tarf Water, which does not have marked paths. That's the bit I think would be really tough going, but that said, it's probably the easiest route from Feith Uaine!
Hope that's helpful!
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