Camping near Blair Atholl: map & data
Total climbing: 569 m
Total time: 04:45:24
16 mile cycle in, just under 5h – average 3.4 mph
This was the first day of our 3-day wild camping trip.
We took the 10.36 train to Inverness and arrived in Blair Atholl two hours later. We had our bikes and four panniers with us.
The weather was nice, there was little wind and a lot more sun that the forecast said.
12.39 – At Blair Atholl station
Our plan for today was to cycle for a few hours and camp near An Dun, one of the two Corbetts we wanted to climb on Saturday.
We rode past the House of Bruar and headed for a village called Calvine.
13.12 – On the road to the village of Calvine
We had lunch by this bridge: Simon’s sandwiches (tongue, cheese & chorizo, pate), plus tomatoes and apples.
When we were finishing, a cyclist stopped by us to say hello and we chatted for a while. He had taken the train from Bath to Glasgow and was touring Scotland.
Like most cyclists we meet in our trips, he was a really interesting guy and loves his days on the road.
13.27 – Our lunch spot
We got back on our bikes. This part of the route is easy, smooth and fairly flat.
14.31 – The easy part of the route
We then crossed a not-too-busy A9 on foot and took the path up Dalnacardoch Estate.
From there on, the path is less smooth. At times it’s quite steep and it’s got a fair amount of gravel and rocks.
14.48 – Entering the Dalnacardoch Estate
Just past the forest area and the generator you get this great view:
15.18 – View from the end of the forest area
It was so peaceful. We didn’t see any other cyclists and the temperature was perfect.
15.49 – The path before it gets rocky
We stopped at this memorial to take some pictures and then continued on our winding path.
16.02 – Memorial with a view
We had great views all the way.
16.17 – And the winding path goes on
We had a short break by the stream, and here we crossed it.
17.19 – Simon fording the stream without getting wet
An Dun was waiting for us.
17.23 – An Dun and other hills
We arrived at the camp just before six. We had camped at this same spot twice a few years ago. The second one was, without question, the coldest night of my life.
That’s why I now have an extra thick pair of Scottish socks and a silk liner.
18.07 – Panoramic view of An Dun (right) from the tent
We put up the tent quickly and went to our private stream to get water.
18.08 – Our pretty cold stream with superb water
While I inflated the mattresses and made the tent ready for the night, Simon cooked dinner: cheesy pasta with sausage.
It tasted great.
18.55 – Another gourmet concoction
We saw a solitary cyclist go past our camp. When he reached the steep hill he stopped, lifted his bike, put it on his shoulder and disappeared with it in the distance. We didn’t see anyone else till mid-morning on Sunday.
We both slept well. It wasn’t at all cold. In fact, I had to get rid of my hat and gloves during the night.
When we got up the next day, all the hills around us had disappeared in the fog.
I took all the photos with the Panasonic.