Day 7 - Aviemore to Corrour Bothy

We had an easy start today, due to a shorter planned distance. The alarm was set for 7:45, with breakfast being served at 8:00. This was our first proper breakfast since starting the walk seven days ago, and it was delicious!!! Fresh fruit, yoghurt, eggs, bacon, toast, tea, and coffee. Yummy!!!
After breakfast we headed into town to pick up a few items, and our groceries for the next four days. With that done we were on our way.
Today we were going to go through the Lairig Ghru, which I have been looking forward to since we put this route together. The Lairig Ghru is a famous mountain pass through the Cairngorm Mountains that is well known and often visited within the Scottish hiking community. It provides access to many well-known Munros. It also comes highly recommended by our future route-vetter Howard, so how could we possibly not be excited about it!
The approach to the Lairig Ghru is via a nice forest trail. Once we broke through the trees the views did not disappoint, and continued all the way to our stopping point at Corrour Bothy.

Mandy Heading Into The Lairig Ghru

The trail is quite grueling and you have to remember to stop yourself to look around because if you aren’t focusing on your feet you will be on your face!

Mini-Break Before The Summit

The boulder fields were fun to rock hop through but we started to get tired on the descent to Corrour.

Boulder Field On Way To Summit

Post-Summit Selfie

We had planned on stopping a few kilometers short of the bothy, but based on the weather (high winds, wet) and the terrain, we decided the bothy would be best, even if we had to camp on the lawn around it.

Approach To Bothy

When we finally arrived there were already four tents up. A nice German fellow greeted us at the door, and he let us know that he was the only one planning to stay in there so far. Jackpot!! We went in and picked a spot for ourselves and got settled. By the end of the evening there were six of us in the Bothy and about a dozen tents outside.

Inside The Bothy

UPDATE - We had some great conversations with so many people, and really enjoyed the evening. There were Munro-baggers, some weekend hikers, and one amazing hiking dog, Cooper. We found out that the German who first talked to us, Immo, was also on the challenge!! Our first encounter other than Peter and the boys with a challenger only took seven days!!

The sleeping part was dry and warm but a little awkward. Six people in a tiny space like that makes for some interesting noises throughout the night, not to mention it is impossible not to wake everybody up if you have to go outside for the call of nature. Aside from that we are happy to have had one bothy night, and to wake up warm and dry tomorrow morning.

Day 7 Route - 22.75 km, 670 m ascent