7-9 The Shelter Stone
This iconic boulder provides a unique and dramatic camp in the majestic landscape around Loch Avon, says Keith Fergus.
T he Shelter Stone is, perhaps, the most famous refuge in the Cairngorms. It sits at the base of the spectacular An Sticil (Shelter Stone Crag) and has provided sanctuary for walkers, climbers, soldiers and even Prime Ministers (Ramsey MacDonald apparently spent a night here) for over 200 years. If it’s full, the banks of Loch Avon are also a fabulous spot for a wild camp. This howff is remote but a great way to reach it is by via Ben Macdui and Beinn Mheadhoin. Having spent the night, a spectacular route climbs onto Shelter Stone Crag and Carn Etchachan, two of the Cairngorms’ finest vantage points. The final route ascends steeply via Coire Raibeirt onto Cairn Gorm. TRANSPORT Train: from Glasgow, Edinburgh and Inverness to Aviemore. Bus: service G10 between Glasgow and Inverness to Aviemore; M91 between Edinburgh and Inverness to Aviemore; service 31 from Aviemore to Coire Cas www.travelinescotland.com
PUBS/GRUB The Cas Bar, www. cairngormmountain.org (01479) 861261 The Winking Owl, thewinkingowl.co.uk (01479) 812368 The Old Bridge Inn, www.oldbridgeinn.co.uk (01479) 811137
ACCOMMODATION Cairngorm Lodge Youth Hostel, Glenmore www.syha. org.uk (01479) 861238 The Cairngorm Hotel, www. cairngorm.com (01479) 810233 Carn Mhor B&B, www.carn mhor.co.uk (01479) 812464
PRACTICALITIES Aviemore has many shops as well as a bank, petrol station and supermarket
LOCAL INFO Aviemore iCentre, 7 The Parade, Grampian Road (01479) 810930