Cairngorms week - Monday to Friday

As you might have guessed by the title, the remainder of the week was not so good weather-wise.

Monday, we took our tired legs off into the forest to walk to Ryovan bothy via Lochan Uaine which is supposed to have turquoise coloured water. The walk took us up through pine forest then along an exposed track then back into what must have been the original Caledonian forest along a steep, winding, thin track that eventually delivered us onto the banks of the Lochan. There was a wonderful bench and viewing platform, all quite new but tasteful. We had the place to ourselves and sat and sheltered from the rain. The water? definitely turquoise / green and very clear. 

View back to where we were yesterday.

Lochan Uaine, the water really is that colour

 We sat a while then decided the far end of the lochan would be enough for today. Walked to the beach in the picture and enjoyed our lunch under the pines - good shelter from the rain. Watched two collies play fetch the stick. One would not go out of his depth so would give the other a friendly nip instead. Had a chat with their owners then walked back to the car.

Tuesday - and in came the storm that the rest of Britain had been enduring. It was definitely a driving day. To Inverness, Forres and the beach at Burghead where we witnessed the foam being delivered by the North Sea as a result of the storm. Back via Grantown-on-Spey, where we had a late lunch then home. Into Aviemore for a spot of shopping - nice new coat for me - and a coffee above a walking shop as recommended by John M at work. Lovely. Pics of the coat to follow! No photos from today, it was so wet that the camera did not get taken out of its bag.

Wednesday - A walk from the door today. Walked into Boat of Garten and checked out tonight's menu en-route. (Anderson's and very nice too it turned out to be)  Picked up the river-side walk for a couple of miles. This was the River Spey and it was pretty full after that storm. Swirling and roiling but no white water just deep and fast flowing.

River Spey in full flow

We turned away from the river and followed another track back into the forest. Here we went "off-piste" and sought out Loch Vaa down a little used forest path. What a find - I will let the photos do the talking. Simply beautiful. Close enough to hear the A9 traffic but nothing in sight except trees and water. We even got to see the sun. 

View from out lunch spot

Perfect calm, perfect reflections

Returned to the house after a never to be repeated spot of verge walking. Only for a short distance until we picked up the cycle track but it was horrendous and Gary was tripped up by a discarded road sign. Safely home though and out for the fore-mentioned delicious dinner. 

Thursday - a failed attempt at Sgor Gaioth at 1110 metres. Started well by finding the tiny road through the forest, past the landing strip (for gliders!) and parking safely off-road. A lovely stroll through the pines followed by a steady climb through heather and more pines - smelled lovely. Rain had stopped but the tops were in the clag. Crossed the first stream without trouble and carried on along the well made path until it deteriorated into a muddy, peaty, slidey mess. Two more fords, but only just - needed a leap and faith in our landing abilities - led us to the place where the path became untenable and the hillsides were streaming with water - and the top stayed resolutely within the cloud. So a quick break for a bite to eat, rain started to fall and no views. We had the only dryish spot for miles and I didn't fancy the heather ahead so we turned it around and returned to the car. Stopped for a coffee by a crashing river where we were discovered by the last of the summer midges. A very quick stop then and back to the car. The highlight of this walk would have been the view from the summit cairn - straight down over cliffs to a distant loch and we wouldn't have seen it through the clouds anyway.

Friday - took the decision that we were going out and up regardless but wind speeds of 50-70mph said not above a certain height you don't. Decided to try a track we had spied on Sunday that led to the Charlemain Gap. A well known pass into the higher mountains and linking with the Lharig Ghru which connects Aviemore with Braemar, another famous pass. This path was like the yellow brick road and gave fantastic views up into the high plateau and crags.

High hills and stormy weather

A very good track and Loch Morlich in the distance

We sheltered from the wind at stepping stones across a small burn in a dip then carried on up towards the gap. This way is known for its fearsome boulder fields and just as we had decided the reputation might be overstated we hit the end of the path and met the rocks. They were huge and unstable with a nice underlay of peat to sink into if and when you stumbled. 

Nice new coat shown off against the rocks and boulders in the Chalamain Gap. Yes, it's pink, very pink

 but it was the nicest, best fit coat to be had.

Chalamain Gap - boulders, rocks and peat. Photo exposed for the sky unlike previous photo where it was the coat!

We were sheltered from the wind and enjoyed a quick break. Decided enough was enough for today and as we turned it around, back came the rain. Waterproof trousers? No I'll be fine. Five minutes later it was too late and very damp legs stayed with me for the rest of the day. 
A final stop at Loch Morlich to look back at the playground of mountains - would make a beautiful pic with snow on the tops and reflections. 

Final stop for view across Loch Morlich to the Cairngorms

So that was our first experience of the Cairngorms and yes, we will be back. So much to do and see within a few miles. We hadn't had time to try the forest trails high in the tree tops, walk the woodland or river trails, see the Ospreys, ride on the steam train or a thousand other things. 

Back to work for a week then off the Plymouth for a week. Hope to call in to North Wales on the way home to see Ian and Jacqueline's new home.