Once upon a time these Scottish fairies lived a few miles west of here in Glen Shee (Glen of Fairies), on the main Braemar/Blairgowrie road.
Around 1100 AD, 8 fairies ( now known as the Pannanich Fairies) were banished from Glen Shee for their misdemeanors and mischievous ways. They were ordered to travel the land and do good deeds to atone for their naughtiness . On reaching this area near Ballater, they cast a good spell on the waters of the Pannanich Wells ,and ever since then the spring water here has been reputed to have healing powers and has become famous throughout the world. The 8 Fairies fell in love with Deeside and made homes in the Pannanich Wood and along the south side of the River Dee, living happily here to this day. Sometimes ,however ,they cannot resist a bit of mischief and will cast a spell on unwary travelers. Geoachers can be released from the spell however by posting a photo of themselves under the spell on the fairies' particular cache site.
This Fairy Trail begins ( or ends) across the road at the Ballater Bridge , runs through the Pannanich Wood ( where there is a nice picnic area) , crosses the South Deeside Road and runs aside it on a good pavement for a short while. It then runs along the south side of the River Dee through woodland and forest , parallel with the Deeside Way on the north side of the River reaching the Cambus O' May Suspension Bridge where it joins with the Deeside way making a nice caching circuit from Ballater. The Fairy Trail is 3.5 miles long , and although slightly more strenuous than the Deeside Way itself , has good paths and is suitable for off road bikes and buggies. ( If doing the whole circuit the two kissing gates on the Suspension Bridge need navigating.).
Although Deeside, Ballater, The Pannanich Wells, Glen Shee and the Cambus O' May Suspension Bridge are written forever in Scottish History you will find no mention of these Pannaich Fairies. After all , it's only a Fairies Tale ( Trail) . Or is it ............