8 August
Accommodation – Alvie Estate
Weather – overcast
Temperature – mid teens
It was our last full day at Alvie Estate and it was a slow
start after a later breakfast. We
mooched around until midday and then headed south to Kingussie a small hamlet
known for its involvement in the filming of Monarch of the Glen.
The independence campaign is stepping up and we saw quite a few posters in Kingussie.
The referendum is being held on September 18.
Shame there's a spelling error!
At this tiny village is the beautiful garden tribute to the fallen.
After a small bite to eat at a local café we set off up the
mountain on the western side of the town.
It was 500 metres up and had commanding views of the surrounding valley
and the Cairngorm Mountain range, Kingussie and Ruthven Barracks which was
built in 1719 after the Jacobite uprising. The barracks stand on an old castle mound.
Still to meet these 'slow' squirrels!
....and the elusive red deer!
The sign as we started off seemed to be pointing in the
wrong direction so after David decided to walk towards the mountain I, being
doubtful, ran back to the lady in the public toilets who’d collected my 20p and
asked the right way. Apparently, the
local council has done a wonderful job
of painting it however they put it back in the opposite direction! As we descended David remarked that we hadn’t
seen anyone…..I think they are probably still trying to find the right track.
Someone beat me to the top!
We're getting pretty good with our panoramic shots!
In the evening it was a farewell sausage sizzle with all the
Australian crew at the big cottage. Ann,
the birthday girl, who we all had come to Scotland for had arranged a piper to
farewell our group. We were in the
sitting room around a fire with our wines when we were asked to go outside –
and there was the piper walking down the driveway in full regalia.
Such a lovely surprise!
He played many tunes while we all ran in and out of photo
shoots. After dinner the piper returned
and played again while we sat around the fire.
The last tune he played was the MacIntosh Lament (my clan) about a hapless groom who passed away on his wedding day after being tossed from his horse!
A summer's day with a Scottish piper....on Alvie Estate.
It was a very special night and end to our lovely time at Alvie Estate.
Tomorrow we are going to the Abernethy Highland Games.....can't wait!
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