Posts for March, 2023

A great trek if you’re new to multi-day trekking but want to experience the remoteness the Scottish Highlands can offer.

The Ben Avon plateau is distinguished by its sizeable granite tors. We will also experience the Sneck above the Garbh Choire and Mitre Ridge, famed for its remote rock climbing and golden eagles.

Beinn a’ Bhuird at 1197 metres will be our highest point over the two days.

Munros:
Leabaidh an Daimh Bhuide (Ben Avon)
Beinn a’ Bhuird

All wild-camping equipment and food included in the price.

A relatively leisurely two-day trek taking in the White Mounth of Lochnagar Munros and experiencing varying landscapes and environments, with a high wild-camp to hopefully enjoy sunset and sunrise from a mountain vantage.

Starting at the Spital of Glen Muick Car Park, south of Ballater, for the beginning of our trek on the Balmoral Estate along the west bank of the impressive Loch Muick to Glas Allt Shiel built by Queen Victoria after the death of Prince Albert.

From the lodge we will tackle the major, but steady, climb of the day towards Cac Carn Beag, the summit of Lochnagar. On route we will pass the Glas Allt Shiel Falls, a place often visited by Queen Victoria, and skirt above the cliffs dropping into the vast bowl of Loch Nagar.

From here on the walking is generally leisurely often on good paths, or short vegetation which is easy underfoot. This circular route takes us to the summits of Carn a’ Choire Bhoidheach and then Carn an t-Saigart Mor, the site of one of the most extensive aircraft wrecks in Scotland.

The final two Munros of Cairn Bannoch and Broad Cairn are easily summited although the later has some boulder fields to negotiate before reaching the main descent path and our return down to the head of Loch Muick.

All wild-camping equipment and food is included in the price.

Held on the Games Field in the centre of Nethy Bridge on the second Saturday of August, they are one of the oldest Games in the country. Known as the”Friendly Games” the Abernethy Highland Games are famous for the Massed Bands march around the arena and for being the annual Clan Grant Gathering.

Games day starts at 10 am with Children’s and Dancing competitions. The Chieftain’s parade is at 1 pm when the Massed Piped Bands and Clan Grant march from the Nethybridge Hotel over the River Nethy and onto the field. The Chieftain is then introduced and the Games declared open. The afternoon has all the traditional competitions: Dancing; Pipe Band; Solo Piping and Drumming, Athletics, Road Race and Heavy events.

Easter Monday Mass celebrated in Polish at St Aidan’s Roman Catholic parish in Aviemore.

Discover a wide range of cycling options at this festival that celebrates the first UCI World Cycling Championships in Scotland, and invites everyone to try many different ways of using cycling as possible.

Partnering with local bike shops, mountain bike leaders, accessibility champions, and nearby villages, the festival is based in Aviemore and showcases the location and sport to a new and diverse audience: e-bikes, cargo bikes, balance bikes, mountain bikes, road bikes… did we say, just, bikes?!

The festival is free, inviting and engaging to all, with particular focus on getting people riding for the first time.

Ride-ins from nearby villages, led by professional bike leaders, will be available to book online.

Discover the very best food and drink the Cairngorms has to offer, alongside local high quality crafts and gifts. You’ll find freshly cooked food ready for you to enjoy straight away, as well as things to take away with you too.

There are games for children to enjoy; free parking nearby; sit down meals and drinks at The Winking Owl; outdoor seating and cover.

We aim to offer visitors a lively, bustling atmosphere; provide a balanced cross-section of products, and encourage shoppers to buy local.

Join us at the Strathspey Railway over the Easter Weekend for an intensive timetable of Steam and Diesel operated trains. Whether it’s this sounds and smells of a steam locomotive or the rumbling roar of diesel, we’re sure to have something for everyone.

Saturday the 7th of April also sees the official launch of the “Beavertail” observation coach, returning to the highlands in 2023 and providing an unparalleled opportunity to see the very best of the scenery in the Cairngorm National Park.

Light Lunch is available on our 1pm departure and Afternoon Tea on the 3pm departure from Aviemore. Rover tickets are available to allow you to hop on and off as many trains as you wish, and trains run all day and into the evening, giving a unique opportunity to see the railway running in darkness. Mixed in with the passenger services are several “demonstration” services using some of our many freight and engineering wagons.

Come to Cromdale Hall for an opportunity to meet up with friends or meet new people, at the same time enjoy a hot drink and local baking. All Welcome

Join us at Loch Insh Outdoor Centre on Sunday 11th June 2023!

Registration will be open from 9:30am at Loch Insh Outdoor Centre, giving you plenty of time to set up your transition zone.

Fitnessat58° Founder, Sam Cairns will lead an event brief and warm up on Loch Insh beach at 11:45am, before the race begins at 12pm.

The race will start and finish is at Loch Insh Outdoor Centre. There will be vehicles available for you to leave your belongings during the race.

Car parking will be available at the Kincraig Shinty Pitch, next to the Loch Insh Outdoor Centre, just two minute walk from the car park to registration.

Entry costs:

Individual Entry – £69.99
Team Entry – £25 per discipline, £75 total

The distances are as follows:

1. 500m swim

2. 18km cycle – 70% gravel/forest tracks and 30% road

3. 10km run – 90% gravel/forest tracks and 10% road

If you have any questions simply message us through Instagram @fitnessat58degrees or email us at samcairns@fitnessat58.com.

Easter Sunday Early Morning Service on the Shores of Loch Garten