I’d intended re-treading last year’s Glen Quoich autumnal run, and the start of November it was on, perhaps a few weeks later than intended. Bus out to Keiloch, a quick look at The Bridge of Dee, then along to Invercauld.

At the ford I pondered whether to cross or explore down the same side. I thought to try something new; I’d heard there is a slight path along the south side.

Well, there is a path for a bit but it soon fizzles out; I suspect it’s more “can I find another ford” than “travel onwards”. I quartered up and down the bank; higher up it’s very boggy, lower it’s steep and rank heather, there’s the odd scrape of a deer path. It’s tough going and would have undoubtably have been quicker crossing over.

Although Mar Lodge have culled a lot of deer to reduce browsing and encourage regeneration, I could see there were still fresh deer-paths here so I guess the proliferation of blue plastic is justified, and less intrusive and materials-intensive than using cylindrical tree guards. Study on use

From the ford, I was back on landy track, and got running again after taking almost an hour to thrash a few km

Across the other side of the Glen, the colours weren’t as vibrant as experienced last year, I think I’d left it a few weeks too late to get the best with the colours now bleaching out.

Heading around a block of plantation an unmapped track headed downwards and I thought I’d take the opportunity to get riverside. The track fizzles out in a burn gully but it wasn’t then far from the river

The plus side of remaining this side of the river is the proximity to the various rapids and waterfalls, the track on the other side stays a lot more distant from the river so you don’t get to see a lot of this.

Near Alltachair, I left the road and climbed back into woods to get through to the Morrone Birkwoods

I timed it nicely getting into Braemar at sunset, with plenty time to the next bus I went in to Farquarsons pub for a meal and pint. 28k done and dusted.