[Closed] Bikepacking / wild camping deeside

From Linn of Dee, Derry Lodge area is an obvious and, I suspect popular, spot, it’s a land rover track all the way, so fairly easy, and a river to paddle in at the end. Depending on what you’re intending to sleep in, the twin lochans on the east side of the track (Claus Fhearnaig) would be quieter, and might afford space to squeeze a small tent, but it’s a while since I’ve been there. That’s not really cycleable for a nipper, though.

Tomnamoine - i had forgetten about

https://online.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/smrpub/master/detail.aspx?tab=main&refno=NO08NW0002

White Bridge at NO 019 884 and you have the Chest of Dee close by (could be busy in the day, great swimming spot).

White Bridge itself:

https://flickr.com/photos/matt_outandabout/41197187000/in/album-72157692588568040/

Chest of Dee

https://flickr.com/photos/matt_outandabout/42957935672/in/album-72157692588568040/

Go beyond and you can get to Ruigh nan Clach NO 007 873 on edge of woods, or a km on the ruined bothy building  at NO 002 868. You are at head of Tilt and pass to North to Feshie.

Ruined bothy

https://flickr.com/photos/matt_outandabout/41197182530/in/album-72157692588568040/

Geldie Lodge NN 955 867 is much further, if you could persuade Jnr to pedal it.

That "ruined bothy" is now in the midst of reconstruction, with a new out-building out back too.

The woods around Glen Quoich are lovely and a lot less frequented than Derry Lodge (where one has to watch out for shit). Somewhere around NN 094952.

@scotroutes - 20 years since, but I remember camping up Glen Ey (around a ruin, possibly NO 088 862 ) and that was nice enough. Have you been up?

Somewhere around NN 094952.

That's a pretty good area - since the path on the SW of the river was washed away, the new track involves a pretty steep climb, so I'd probably head in using the track on the other side, if I was with kids.

Another pretty nice one is around Bynack Lodge, so over White Bridge, across one large (shallow) ford and about another 5 mins (easy riding). It's a nice spot close to water and some nice old trees around. Stays pretty quiet too.

Lovely thanks. Will get on the OS maps and check these out 👍

We’ll be in two small two man tents, one parent and kid in each.

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Not sure if there's a specific area you fancy or where you're coming from? Dundee? A couple more Suggestions anyway:
- Big field at the bottom of Mt Keen (north side), top of Glentanar,
- Field outside Charr Bothy (Glen Dye)

Not sure if there’s a specific area you fancy or where you’re coming from? Dundee?

Never been so just off for a general explore. Very open to suggestions. Coming from Perth

Ahh ok yeah, all of the other suggestions are probably better in terms of convenience and being more remote/amongst bigger hills if you're coming in from the top of the Valley. I thought Glen Ey was a good shout too, I've never camped there, just cycled in on the way up to do a few munros. I seem to remember lots of flat grassy bits. Should be quite quite vs. Derry Lodge

We found a nice spot between the Mar lodge and Lin of Dee car park - just at the bridge that goes over the Lui water before it joins the Dee.

If your on the Lui bridge looking down river toward the Dee, there is a path down on the left bank which follows the river along the edge of the trees. If you follow it along for about 500m you will come to a fallen tree with a clearing just behind. It's a nice wee spot close to the river, quite sheltered but we were there in May before the midge arrived - might be too sheltered now!

Am I the only one who saw the thread title and wondered why someone wanted to go wild camping in Queensferry or Connah’s Quay?

No. That's what I thought too @Tomj 🙂

How about near the car park at Loch Muick. Toilets nearby. We camped there when bikepacking no hassles.

How about near the car park at Loch Muick. Toilets nearby. We camped there when bikepacking no hassles.

You and just about the whole world.

That part of deeside has major issues with over crowding. Usually worse than. Linn of Dee due to small volume of parking .

@matt_outandabout

I remember camping up Glen Ey (around a ruin, possibly NO 088 862 )

You possibly mean Altanour Lodge at the end of Glen Ey? NO 082 823.
Very lovely spot and right at the 5 mile boredom-limit the OP suggested. You won't see anyone there either.

@trail_rat

That part of deeside has major issues with over crowding. Usually worse than. Linn of Dee due to small volume of parking .

Also it being closer to Aberdeen with the city folks' lack of imagination and inability to have a plan B / C / D...

Also it being closer to Aberdeen with the city folks’ lack of imagination and inability to have a plan B / C / D…

Most of that lot don't even have a plan A they just go for a drive and end up there. Quite glad they have decided to stop them going up and abandoning their cars/blocking the roads now tbh.

But still not some where I'd point someone driving up to head for

Thanks again all. We plumped for Scotroutes spot and followed GavinB’s advice to come in from the east side. My youngest struggled with the ride out there but just because she hates climbing (was totally fine on the way back). There was a bit of midge action at the spot but not too bad and managed with smidge and covering up. Definitely what we were after though. Felt proper out in the wild and best wild camp sleep I’ve ever had. The views were spectacular.

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Had a really nice time exploring Braemar and Ballater. Brekkie at The Bothy in Braemar was spot on. It’s a really beautiful part of the world.

Lovely. You can't buy that with money. Only blood sweat and tears,

Beautiful. Proper adventure for the kids.