Aviemore to Pitlochry

Aviemore to Pitlochry

Dep. 08.45 Arr. 15:50
Distance 61 miles

Day didn't start so well. Slightly cool and misty morning and after about a mile Eddie realised he had left his wallet back in the car and had to cycle back. Made good time to Dalwhinnie Distillery, which was closed (Probably a good thing). Had lunch with Dawn here. Pleasant cycle up to Drumochter Pass, unfortunately special passages that were meant to let bikes through but not sheep had all been blocked. This meant constant stopping and starting to go through gates. Stopped for an afternoon ice cream at the House of Bruar. Reached Pitlochry Youth Hostel, situated at the top of a short but steep hill (just what you need at the end of the day) at 4pm but had to wait till 5 before we could get in. Dawn had spent the morning studying and the afternoon on a site seeing tour taking in Loch Rannoch and Loch Tummel as well as Tummel Bridge. Her sight seeing hadn't tired her out and she cooked pasta and vegetables for tea. In the evening we walked (Do our legs really need any more exercise) down to the HEP Station to look at the "salmon ladder ", an intriguing set of tanks and tubes that allowed the salmon to get through the station. Saw a few fish jumping but none actually in the ladder.