John o’ Groats to Land’s End virtual walk

[Marchbanks]

I haven't done the final part of the route to Braemar yet so can't comment from experience but I know loads of people do it on gravel bikes so I expect the paths are pretty decent and expect it's a lot nicer than following the road (although the scenery is also nice from that and it's not a busy road).

Scotland is a bit different from England in terms of access regulations but one minor downside of the right to roam is that routes aren't always as well defined on the OS maps as they are in England and a lot of tracks that are very well defined on the ground aren't on the map and don't come up on stuff like Google Maps.

I get what you are saying 100%. But I don’t want to put a line between two points on the map where the route is unknown and just say something like ‘my path obscured by clouds.’ For this specific purpose that’s close to cheating. But if you know, or can find, someone who has a record of a route - on a map maybe, or a GPS plot - that could be followed by someone with nothing more specialised than a pair of stout boots (and determination) I’d be delighted to try to transfer it to Google Maps and follow it. It’s going to be 7-10 days before I get to Tomintoul, so loads of time. Of course ‘sod off, do your own research’ is probably a more understandable response.

 

[Marchbanks]

Round a padlocked gate and away from cars at last. Grantown that-a-way. (pic from Google Maps.)

Ironically Google Maps refused to track me on the other side of the gate, so I’ve added a few more items to my map-plotting skillset today. Ramblers Scotland said the track definitely existed, but couldn’t be absolutely certain if I was allowed to use it (that was good enough for me.) They use Open Street Map but don’t have an ‘export’ facility. I found an OSM user that did, then had to work out how to import the plot into Google. ‘Export as GPX, then import as GPX’ I hear you sighing at the incompetent old fool. Don’t make me laugh. Do you really think they would make it that easy? I had to go via a third-party convertor to get the tagging and metadata of the file into an acceptable format…

The good news is, @SteveG - it looks like OSM recognises a track through the hills from Tomintoul to Braemar. I suppose the virtual knapsack will provide waders if I need them.

 

[andrew d]

https://www.wwf.org.uk/londonwinterwalk Came across lots of shiny happy people paying to have walking fun today as I was riding my bike. Walking a Half / Marathon from the Oval.
Registration Fee: £15 - £44.50 depending on chosen option
Fundraising Target: £110 - £275 depending on chosen option.
I suspect they mainly had fun but I think that if I was to walk the length of the UK I'd favour your 'audax' c.f. sportive approach.

 

[SteveG]

Won't be long until you make it to Tomintoul by the looks of it, I am physically there now as well and planning to visit the Richmond Hotel tomorrow and on Monday.

 

[Marchbanks]

…I think that if I was to walk the length of the UK I'd favour your 'audax' c.f. sportive approach.

I hadn’t a clue what this meant, so I looked it up. The first page I found told me this…

‘Like all cycling styles, the riding discipline does carry with it a stereotype – and that sub cult is largely summed up as ‘slightly grumpy beardy men’.’

…and although in my case ‘slightly’ should be replaced by ‘spectacularly’ it felt like something that might suit me. I thought about giving it a go, then remembered that I rapidly lose interest in bicycles as soon as anything vaguely uphill is involved. I decided to stick to audax walking.

 

[Marchbanks]

First virtual rendezvous with @SteveG and Obi in Tomintoul accomplished! After which, a right turn and across the tracks to Braemar and beyond.

Every time I update the map there are 10-15 extra views noted. I don’t know whether I should be gratified that friends and pfm’ers are following my journey or worried that Googlebots or whatever they are called are taking an interest.

 

[Nero]

Such progress! Is it snowing up there, or are they using Stannah skilifts now?
You’ll soon be in Dundee. Careful as you cross that bridge.

 

[SteveG]

Such progress! Is it snowing up there, or are they using Stannah skilifts now?

It was snowing around the time of the arrival in Tomintoul - this what the road between Tomintoul and Grantown was like when we were driving back on Tuesday evening:

 

[Take5]

It was snowing around the time of the arrival in Tomintoul - this what the road between Tomintoul and Grantown was like when we were driving back on Tuesday evening:

ah… happy memories!!!

doesn’t that road have the reputation of every year being the first road to be closed because of snow, in all of the Uk ?

 

[Sue Pertwee-Tyr]

Such progress! Is it snowing up there, or are they using Stannah skilifts now?
You’ll soon be in Dundee. Careful as you cross that bridge.

Is that the one over the Silv'ry Tay?

 

[SteveG]

ah… happy memories!!!

doesn’t that road have the reputation of every year being the first road to be closed because of snow, in all of the Uk ?

No - that's one of the other roads out of Tomintoul, the infamous "Cockbridge to Tomintoul road" that goes past the Lecht ski centre.

The Tomintoul to Grantown roads isn't as bad except for the very steep drop and climb at Bridge of Brown, which often has vehicles stuck in it. On the way back on Tuesday it was a bit tricky and the van in front of us was really struggling.

 

[Cheese]

Erm, question, does the average Briton mount winter tyres on his vehicle ?

 

[MUTTY1]

Erm, question, does the average Briton mount winter tyres on his vehicle ?

Not in Cornwall. Stranded once in the last forty years 200 yards from home. It was touch and go at times but made it home safely.

 

[SteveG]

Erm, question, does the average Briton mount winter tyres on his vehicle ?

I have all seasons on my other car and will also be fitting them to the 4x4.

 

[Marchbanks]

Off-piste again today, at least according to Google Maps. They refused to acknowledge there was a track running alongside Loch Builg, presumably thinking it wasn't suitable terrain for a frail and wobbly old man. Open Street Maps had no such worries though, so I went for it - despite reading this web page. The two crossings mentioned there look worrying on Google Maps...

...but on OSM they are marked with a rather fetching little wavy blue line logo which could mean 'potentially lethal raging torrent', but instead I chose to believe represent 'gentle ford, ankle deep at worst.'

At the time I crossed them, in the real world I was joined by a twittering bunch of long-tailed tits, which took my mind off the problem and was good for the soul. Later I was given fifteen surplus new-laid eggs by the wife of a farmer friend whose new pullets have obviously hit the ground running. That was good for the wallet. I explained how I had just crossed two fiercely-flowing fords in the Cairngorms. She gave me the slightly indulgent, slightly worried smile that I have become used to.

That only left the problem of Google My Maps, who decided that my route maps now as complicated as they would allow (10 layers of information). I had to start bouncing them down, feeling very much like George Martin making Sgt. Pepper. Fortunately I found a website called kmlmerger.com which does the job admirably. He has a 'buy me a coffee' button. He'll be getting several.

 

[Nero]

Fortunately I found a website called kmlmerger.com which does the job admirably. He has a 'buy me a coffee' button. He'll be getting several.

Make sure it’s not a Costa. More caffeine than Red Bull. Probably explains Sgt Pepper.

 

[blossomchris]

I have all seasons on my other car and will also be fitting them to the 4x4.

wellies also?

 

[SteveG]

wellies also?

No - but in winter we have a survival pack that we leave in the car! Mainly outdoor gear as if we did get stuck it'd most likely be within a 10 mile walk of our Cairngorms place.

 

[Marchbanks]

A detour of a few metres today to satisfy a request from @Take5 - here’s the map.

Last call for anyone in Dundee who wants to set up a virtual meet. After that, Edinburgh, then I’ve decided to divert via Coldstream for personal reasons that will be explained in due course. Then back round the west side of Kielder Forest to Carlisle, should anyone wish to let their madness run with mine through streets still unseen etc.

 

[Marchbanks]

Goodbye Dundee, hello Kingdom of Fife. Sadly, as you go over the Road Bridge there isn’t much to be seen of the Silvery Tay from only a few inches above the ground.

It's fun to note that the pathway (down the middle of the bridge, between the dual carriageways) terminates abruptly at a glass door when it reaches Dundee. Cyclists who have been roaring along National Cycle Route 1 (of which the bridge is a part) have to suffer the indignity of waiting for a lift to take them down a level before they can carry on.