Ride - Scotland, Glen Feshie
Where
This is the tenth of my rides through the remnants of the Ancient Pinewoods of Scotland. The woods stretch along both banks of the river Feshie which drains the Cairngorms to the SW.
The river bed is apparently composed of glacial deposits. Gravel and boulders are strewn all over the wide floor of the glen.
Like so much of the old forest Glen Fechie still suffers from past over-grazing by deer, mis-management bu national forestry people who planted and then tore up foreign species and before that from tremendous felling in the 18th and 19th centuries. Thankfully new landowners are culling the deer herd, native pines are recovering, the deer are more healthy and more shaded river banks mean that fish are returning too.
Reportedly Glen Feshie provided inspiration for Henry Landseer, sculptor of the Trafalgur Square Lions. Landseer’s painting of the stag “Monarch of the Glen” famously adorns bottles of Glenfiddich single malt.
Gallery
Gear and Nutrition
Shorts and a light long-sleeved top
Usual breakfast, electrolytes before and during the ride and slow release starch before and during the ride.