TGOC'26 Day 12 Ballater to Aboyne Loch Campground

Having thought about what I wanted for most of the day yesterday, I decided that I would take the Deeside Way out all the way to Aberdeen. While considered to be a mostly a "tourist" route, it would be the equivalent to one of our rail to trail paths in the US.  I have not finished in Aberdeen before and I have not been beyond Aboyne before. The Deeside Way starts here in Ballater and ends in Aberdeen, so I would also be checking off a complete "thru hike" inside the Challenge. The fact that there would be no more ascents, wet crossings or uneven ground on this Challenge, did not bother me one bit!

Deeside Way, here I come.

Leaving the "Alex" I said goodbye to Fiona and Fergie and thanked them for another wonderful stay. I will certainly be back this way again. I have had a few favorite towns in Scotland; Aviemore and Braemar are both great, but I seem to gravitate to Ballater more than any other. 

The beginning of the Deeside Way is lined with flowing plants and shrubs. It made for a happy start to this new plan.

A view down the path 

More framed shots along the way

These painted rocks are pretty, but not to everyone. I am not a big fan of them being left along the path. I appreciate people wanting to share, but I believe they should stay in your own garden. 

Louise had texted me in this morning that she was starting out and I had said I would try and meet up with her at the start of the Deeside Way. I ended up being a bit ahead and when she texted again saying she was starting out and bringing David, I sat down and waited. I was only a mile or so ahead, so they caught up in no time. 

The weather started to turn again, but walking with two of my favorite people made it special despite some drizzle. 

Cambus O' May Bridge. This bridge was heavily damaged in 2015 by Storm Frank. It needed extensive repairs and took until 2021 to fully repair and reopen. It even received significant donations from then Prince Charles, now King Charles. This is an important bridge for the community as it is the only access across the River Dee for many miles and connects many circular walks and bike paths around the Ballater area. 

(below) The Bridge at the time of the storm!  We sat for a rest and a snack, this year, at the very picnic bench pictured below. The picture above is taken while sitting at that table. 

internet photo

Passing by the old railroad station in the Muir of Dinnet woods. I had not realized that just across the road is the Muir of Dinnet Nature Reserve and I heard from two Challengers, later, that it was well worth spending the time to take the circular nature paths in the Reserve. - Next time

After solving most of the worlds problems between myself Louise and David, the two of them needed to head south from Dinnet to take the path that would eventually get them to Tarfside. This is also the path that I would have originally taken. We said our goodbyes, but I knew I would be seeing both again on Thursday for the celebration dinner in Montrose, where Louise would be receiving special recognition for her 10th successful Challenge... 

In Dinnet, Andy, Lyndsay, Barbara, and Lynsey were all lounging under a tree taking a break. Barbara set off ahead and it seemed that the others would be a few minutes so I carried on just behind Barbara and eventually we walked and talked a bit together. 

Barbara mentioned that she was just "dawdling" along, but my pace was a just over 3 miles per hour and she quickly left me behind. She is 74.

Soon you come across a glider plane airfield

And a road side park, this one had a coffee truck. I practically ran over, but it was closed.

I will say that Scotland has really upped its game when it comes to coffee culture. Many excellent coffee shops now dot the towns. However, what they haven't come to grips with yet is opening times! They want to open around 9 or 10. Good coffee needs to available at 6 or the very least 7 am. This will come into play more in the next few days. 

I stayed here to have lunch. As I was eating, Andy and the rest of the Challengers caught up, and since there was no coffee, continued on toward Aboyne. 

I caught up soon after and we all walked together to Aboyne. Andy and company were also headed eventually toward Tarfside, but like Louise and David were going to spend the night, about half way, near a locked bothy on the Fungle Road (a path that starts at Aboyne and goes south toward Tarfside)

 

(below) St. Thomas’ Episcopal Church in Aboyne

The Group decided to stop for lunch and a drink at the Boat Inn, before carrying on the remainder of their day. The Boat Inn is a well known pub and hotel in Aboyne. In fact Vicky and I were stopped by two rather nice but obviously drunk gentlemen coming out of the pub in 2014, they were interested in what we were doing. I had already eaten my lunch, but would never say no to a beer and a snack. 

I had an Affogato. A delicious Italian drink. You pour espresso and frangelico over ice cream. 

I stayed for only 30 minutes before I left the group as their lunches were arriving and headed toward the Aboyne Loch Caravan Park. Making my way back to the Deeside way, I found Humphrey just arriving in town. We chatted for a few minutes, not nearly long enough, since he is one of the most interesting people in the world. I let him know where the others could be found and off he went to join them. 

The Deeside disappears from the map, just as it is leaving Aboyne, for several miles, but while it might not be official, you can make a detour into the residential area, with the golf course, and it will take you, through the woods (photo above), safely alongside the major A93, all the way to the Caravan Park. This is important as you lose any sidewalk for "verge" leaving Aboyne. You can see the A93 (photo below) with no room for pedestrians. 

The Caravan park is run by a lovely women.  When I made my reservations, just yesterday.  She told me she had room and to just come ahead and we would take care of any payments when I arrived. 

Heading to my tent site, I arrived in time to see someone's house being moved! 

The tent sites were really nice. I pitched up just on the edge of the Loch and there is bathhouse with showers a pavilion with tables and electrical outlets. The Wi-Fi is also very strong. It actually felt good to be in the tent for the night. 

Looking over at the Pavilion for the tent sites, with picnic tables. I was joined later by several other challengers. One doing the full Challenge and 2 doing the new TGO East (a pre-assigned route, starting in the middle of Scotland,  that can be done in one week, instead of two.

Relaxing. The Deeside Way will take me 48 miles over 4 days. So no need to rush or worry. I could crawl to the finish from here. 😆

I might have spoken too soon regarding a quiet night. The swans, ducks and just about every bird in the area seemed to be "mating" for most of the night. At times it was quite the racket.... 

Day 12 Summary and Stats: