Uath Lochans

Uath Lochans is a small Forestry and Land Scotland woodland recreation area near Feshiebridge, centred on several small lochs and waymarked paths. The lower loop is 2.4 km and takes about an hour: mostly gentle, with a few short steeper sections and boardwalk over marshy ground. It’s a good choice for a compact forest walk; after rain, the paths can be muddy and slippery.

For a bigger outing, the marked Farleitter Crag route is 4 km and takes about an hour and a half. It’s graded strenuous, with long steep slopes. The climb threads through old Scots pine, opening now and then to three lochans and the Glen Feshie hills, before reaching a seat on a large rock with a view across Strathspey. At the crag, frame the lochans below against the hills beyond to show the change from woodland to open country.

Some of the Scots pines here are more than 120 years old, and the rocks carry lichens and moss. Look for frogs by the paths and dragonflies over the wet ground; red squirrels are noted along the upper route. In winter, goldeneye ducks and geese use the largest lochan, while buzzards hunt over the marsh. “Uath” is pronounced “wah”; Forestry and Land Scotland translates the name as “the hawthorn small lochs.”

From Aviemore, take the B9152 to Kincraig, then follow the road via Feshiebridge toward Insh. At the signed no-through-road fork, continue about 1.6 km to the free car park. The forest road is narrow and winding, and the car park comes before the farther PH21 1NX postcode. There’s a picnic area; the nearest places to eat are in Kincraig. The site’s official facilities list doesn’t identify toilets, so plan around public toilets in Aviemore, Glenmore or Kingussie. Camping and overnight parking aren’t allowed.