This weekend, I was supposed to be heading south into the Scottish borderlands with a friend for a camping trip. It’s been in the diary for weeks. However, early in the week he had to pull out so I was left with a decision to make, should I continue on our prearranged plan, or should I come up with a new destination.

As I was pondering this, I came across an Instagram post by someone who I follow, a guy called the Highland Woodman. He was camping in the Ballochbuie Forest in the Cairngorms and I thought “that’s it, that’s where I’m going!” The timing worked out impeccably.

The Highland Woodsman is a passionate forester and bushcrafter/camper and I knew if he was there, it was worth following in his footsteps. Find out more about him and check out his videos at his YouTube channel here

So with that I arrived at the Invercauld car park on Saturday morning.

The road north had been very misty and foggy all the way up other than for a five minute spell as I drove over the top of the Glenshee ski area, which was drowning in blue skies and warmth. But the Invercauld and Balmoral estates that surround the A93 were as foggy as Perth had been when I left earlier that morning. And the chill in the air meant the midgies were hiding too. That made me happy.

Within a few minutes of leaving the car park I crossed the Old Brig o’ Dee, a bridge that was beautiful but appeared on close inspection to be a launch pad or jump for a fast car rather than a bridge as it had such a steep incline in both sides.

As I crossed the bridge I was surrounded by pine trees and a few birch here or there. The forest road meant good progress was made towards my first stop, the Falls of Garbh Allt.

The falls were stunning and had a snack while I listened to the birds and the water roaring past.

I’d foraged a few blueberries on my way uphill so added them to my pork pies. I opened the pie up and forced some berries in between the pastry and the meat. Officially my new favourite snack. Shame the season is almost over.

I moved on and after crossing the Garbh Allt I turned East into a small path, aiming to find a camp up near the top of the forest. I say it was a path. In reality it was a path that looked like a vague animal track, covered with high heather and made for slow going.

In the morning I’d decided to head for the Southern edge of the forest at the base of Cnapan Nathraichean, where I’d spotted a potential flat spot on the map and assumed the trees would be more sparse. I wasn’t to be disappointed as you can see below, although to be honest I’d seen very few other potential camp spots before I found this. So I did feel a certain relief.

I set up my tent in the best spot I could find on this little open plateau. I had a big rock for cooking on and potential views and glorious sunset if the sun did its thing and burnt away all the mist.

Repacking my bag was a joy as I left behind all the heavy camp gear. I set off, continuing to walk easterly around the base of Cnapan Nathraichean with the intention of heading towards Glen Gelder. The path was less covered but a little damper.

The mist was still in charge as I rounded Cnapan Nathraichean. 

But the sun started to make an appearance as I reached Feith an Laoigh. So much so that I removed my boots in celebration. I could see down into Glen Gelder, but decided to turn back for home base.

I retraced my steps back towards camp in glorious sunshine. 

Skeleton pines were everywhere 

My camp was a totally different experience in the sun compared to the mist. 

My berry haul. .

Pasta for tea.

More skeleton pines as the sun set. 

A hot chocolate before bed. 

I awoke the next morning to mist, mist and more mist. After some bacon and eggs, I set off down the hill back towards the car park. 

Is this a bridge or a car jump? 

Here is my route (without the detour towards Glen Gelder). The blue circle is where I camped. 

The Highland Woodsman finishes his videos with a section called “Forest Thoughts” where he talks about trees and this might be personal to him or topical or historical in relation to all things woodland. Here are my own “Forest Thoughts”.

In my 24 hours in the Ballochbuie Forest, I saw not a single soul. But I came out with my reset button well and truly pressed.