Nature At Its Best in the Cairngorms

Yesterday, we decided that if the beautiful weather held out, we would make the trip to the top of Cairngorm Mountain to ride the Funicular to the very top.

So, when we awoke to blue skies once again, we knew what was on the agenda for this morning!
We bid our delightful hosts goodbye, and headed towards the mountain.

The ascent was rather tame in comparison to many of our previous ventures over the years:  no clutching the dashboard while peering over a cliff on this trip.  Just a gentle curving road that eventually ended in a parking lot near the top of the mountain.

The top is well over 3500 ft. in elevation.  Here is a photo taken from the Funicular on the way back down.

The day was definitely clear, but some of the views were hampered by low lying clouds in the distance.  But that didn't take away from the experience.

After spending some time at the top, we headed back down to the car park.  No one is permitted to walk around at the top of the mountain unless one pays for a private guide, so that limited what we could do.

But no worries, we headed back down the hill and turned onto a narrow road that led us to the Loch an Eileen which stands in the Rothiemurchus Forest.  Michael, our B&B host, had suggested we stop if the weather was nice, as the walks around the loch are beautiful.  

We certainly were not disappointed.

When we arrived at the car park, we spotted several people in the woods, with long, telescopic type cameras set up for viewing.  I figured that there must be something very exciting to see, and I asked the man who admitted us to the lot what was of such interest to so many people.

He quietly said, "Squirrels".  I laughed and said that I thought that was pretty funny and that I had expected him to tell me that there was some sort of rare bird in the trees.   He whispered through the window that he, too, thought it was quite silly.  Well, that really had me laughing.

Then, we realized that the photographers that were set up with their fancy cameras were definitely NOT Scottish.  Perhaps this was their first viewing of a Red Squirrel.

Shucks, they could come visit me!  We have squirrel sightings every day!

When we finished our walk in the woods, I had hoped to get some shots of these crazy people to share with you, but they had all moved on by the time we returned to the car park.  For the record, I didn't see one squirrel while we were walking around, which may explain why the photographers were all gone.

We left the park and continued along the road, in search of The Potting Shed, another place that had been recommended by the couple at our previous B&B.  Christine, Michael's wife, was a real hoot, and she eagerly shared information regarding nearby places to visit, but her suggestions always included food.  She was VERY excited about us visiting this place for the cakes.  She explained how the woman who bought the place was European, and she decided to sell tea and cakes.  Christine went on to say how we would need to stop for tea after our hike, and this place would be perfect, and on the way to our next destination.

Now, I ask.......how could we pass on that?

Marty picked Carrot cake and I chose the Lemon Sponge, both with extra cream, at the hostess' suggestion.  With such a bright sunny day in which to enjoy these delights, how could anyone not be happy?

With our sweet tooth satisfied, we headed out along the road towards Kincraig, where Michael had suggested that we stop in to see the Working Sheepdogs.  But we were early, so we decided to park the car and enjoy the beauty of Loch Inch to pass the time.

Just above the loch stands this Scottish church.

All around us was beauty.

When it got close to 4:00, we headed to the farm for the demonstration, passing this wee pony along the way.

When we arrived and parked in the lot, this fella greeted me, and actually tried jumping into the car!

He was extremely friendly and quite entertaining at just a few months old.

There were a couple of pups who were even younger, only 6 weeks old, who were already eager to herd the sheep upon command.  Note the cute little guy in the lower right hand corner.

And here he is, getting them moving.

Neil Ross,  one of two remaining shepherds in this area, demonstrated sheep herding by the dogs as well as how to shear the wool off of a sheep.

This pup was quite content to just cozy in and take a nap in the wool.

After the demonstration, Neil came out with puppies who were just 15 days old.

Very cute, for sure!

We certainly were not disappointed with any of the advice given to us by our previous B&B operators, that's for sure.

We are now in Kingussie, staying at the Arden B&B.  We actually stayed here last year, and enjoyed it so much that I was sure to make reservations for one night this year as well.  

I don't know what I did, but I can tell you that this year's room far exceeds last year's!

Norry greeted us with a dram of whiskey for Marty and a glass of sherry for me, and we settled in for a relaxing evening.

We have one more day before heading home.  Believe it or not, I don't really have anything planned.  But I'm sure we'll find something adventurous to entertain us!

I'll keep you posted!