7 August 2014
Accommodation – Alvie Estate
Weather – stunning……bright and sunny all day.
Temperature – mid teens
What a difference a day makes – weather wise that is! We awoke to stunning sunshine that stayed
with us all day. However, we weren’t to
know this so we headed to the Cairngorm Mountain to catch the funicular to a
high point to take advantage of the early clear skies.
Two funiculars pass each other at a junction half way up The
Cairngorm Mountain which stands 635 metres above sea level. We went onto the viewing deck where the
breeze was brisk and the temperature very cold.
The views went on forever so we were lucky to have such a wonderful day.
On the way up and the elusive red deer.....this time a sticker on the window!
It was a tad chilly at the top......so.......
....a hot chocolate was in order – add Baileys or rum – and homemade shortbread.
The view from the cosy café at the top.
A panoramic shot....how lucky were we?
The winter of 2010 has become known as the ‘Big Dig’ as it delivered uninterrupted snow from November 2009 until June 2010. The train tracks had to be dug out by hand
four times and the depth of the snow was 7 metres. At times during the season skiers could
actually standing on the restaurant roof!
After descending we headed to beautiful Loch an Eilein which
is described as ‘one of the glories of Scotland’. The loch is quite small and we walked the
5kms around in just over an hour with an easy walking track. It’s a pretty little loch with an ancient
fortified castle on the solitary island not too far from the loch’s shore. The castle dates back to the 15th
century and was once connected by a causeway however the water level was raised
in the 18th century and now can only be reached by boat and swimming
– the water is very cold however people do it (insert ‘madness’
here!).
Loch an Eilein....voted Britain's prettiest picnic spot....I think the voting occurred in summer!
The castle can just be seen through the trees....so pretty.
A quick trip into Aviemore for a couple of supplies
delivered the first hiccup for the couple sharing the cottage with us. A gobbled up cash card can play havoc so
after traipsing to and fro to a couple of banks it was decided to cancel the
card. Thank goodness for wifi to sort
out financial issues whilst we travel.
A Druid's circle sitting in a field is only a very short stroll from our cottage. We enjoyed a half hour walk before dinner.
This evening we went to dinner at the Rowan Tree Hotel which
is not too far from Alvie Estate. It is
a really lovely hotel, decorated in a very comfortable style with plush settees,
cushions and various interesting objects.
As we sat waiting for drinks….and I wondered how long a girl had to wait
for a drink….the men came out with two buckets of Moet and champagne glasses. An engagement in our group was announced! The daughter of one our travelling friends
and her boyfriend announced their lovely news to all and it was certainly a
romantic setting to celebrate.
A delicious dinner followed and an attempt at capturing a
photo of all fifteen of us on the hotel’s staircase is yet to be seen but we
certainly all tried to get in the photo for this special occasion.
The Great Scottish Eating Tour is continuing unabated....David's dessert.
It was another happy day in the highlands……
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