To finish off this year’s BAM collection here are my nights out from July to December, with September probably being the highlight!

July
This was my usual holiday bivy straight from our usual cottage in Nethybridge, along the Speyside Way and out the back of Carrbridge into the moors west of Aviemore. I climbed up to the highest peak I could get to without entering the clouds and bivied near the cairn with a beer and food for company.

Lovely tracks through the moors to explore
Climbed to summit of Carn Sleamhuinn (677m), rather than Geal-Charn Beag, which looked much more murky
Actually made the effort to bring a beer
Great views eventually in the morning
Good riding back along the ridge to the north
Made the most of a stunning morning to wander around some favourite spots in Abernethy on my way back

August
Another late night departure from home on the 29th to tick off yet another bit of forestry, west of Aberdeen near Drumoak.

Nights without the hammock are very rare these days
Golden morning skies
Not a bad summer really

September
After an unfortunate and completely unprovoked incident resulted in me being assaulted by an unhinged truck driver, I needed to spend some time away from the roads, so I jumped in the car after work one Friday and headed for the Cairngorms. Setting off near Logie Coldstone I spent an hour or so riding through low clouds/mist before climbing straight up Mona Gowan (749m) from Strathdon, which was impressive as I had forgotten to bring the fresh battery for the gears on my fancy bike and so was riding single speed after about 5 shifts! As I’d hoped, I emerged from the clouds just as the sun was setting and had an amazing view of an inversion, with cloud rolling over nearby hills like waves. It was even nicer in the morning and I had a tough time dragging myself away from the summit to drop back into the mists and return to the car via Morven Lodge. Definitely helped lift my spirits.

Lots of shortened views to start with
Heroic single speed climbing rewarded with clear skies
Long but steady
Mona Gowan
One of those nights that ticks all the boxes
Sun was way higher by the time I convinced myself to leave
Good tracks down to the moor
Last of the sun on the descent

October
A night time car MOT drop off in Maud presented me with a bivy opportunity on the way home. The forecast’s 5% chance of rain equated to it raining the whole night as I cycled, but eventually eased just as I found a mostly suitable wood to get myself set up in. The morning proved drier as I scurried back to get a day’s work in.

Just about managed to find suitable trees
Some nice views available
A bit too rushed to take many pictures

November
Another ride from home with limited time. Used the singlespeed as the roads were wet and it has mudguards and pitched up in some trees not far from the Deeside Way.

Treated myself with alcohol again
Latter half of the year getting a bit tarp heavy
It’s quite handsome for a commuter bike

December
Struggled to find a slot for this one, so ended up going out late on Boxing Day after the rain stopped, to try out Maryculter Woods, which worked out quite well.

Tarp required as the trees were dumping water every time the wind blew
Festive treats
Beginnings of a nice sunrise
Packed for return
Couldn’t hang about as I was supposed to be working the AM
Crossing the Dee en route to home

So that was another year in the bag making two in a row and 5 years total, if I remember rightly. No reason to stop now, so roll on 2025 with as many interesting nights out as I can manage!

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