Loch Morlich and the Cairngorms 14th March 2011

Loch Morlich 14th March 2011.

A lovely March day in the Cairngorms, with Loch Morlich at its best and the mountains tempting you to the slopes.

I'm looking forward to another weekend at the end of the month staying in Creag Mhor, a cosy Self Catering Cottage in Aviemore.


Loch Morlich and the Cairngorms.

Ben Wyvis 29th January 2011

Cornice on Ben Wyvis, 29th January 2011.

Having previously climbed Ben Wyvis on a horrible day with no visibility, I'd always wanted to return and do the mountain justice. Although 29th January 2011 wasn't perfect weatherwise, a walk over Ben Wyvis and the tops revealed what a massive, sprawling mountain this is.

A lot of work has been done on the path, making it a pleasure to walk and giving swift access to the mountain. The steep ridge to An Cabar is a stone stairway to gain the summit plateau, where some easy walking beckons.

On this visit, we took our time to enjoy all the tops on the mountain seeing literally another side to it, with the cliffs on the Eastern flanks hidden by the normally benign appearance of Ben Wyvis from the West.

If transport could be arranged, a vehicle at Loch Glass would make the perfect thhrough walk. The return to Garbat which we faced however, provided an exciting descent with ice axes assisting a glissade off the hill.

A most enjoyable walk completed in just under seven hours.


Ben Wyvis from the East.


Fiaclach and Meall nan Braden Leethan, Ben Wyvis.


Tom a' Choinnich, Ben Wyvis.


View from An t Socach, Ben Wyvis.


An Cabar, Ben Wyvis.


Stairway on Ben Wyvis.

Loch Treig from Beinn Teallach 30th January 2011

Loch Treig from Beinn Teallach 30th January 2011.

Loch Ness 30th January 2011

Loch Ness, 30th January 2011.


Falls of Foyers, Loch Ness.

Cruising on Loch Ness and the Caledonian Canal

Caley Marina, Inverness.

If you can't view Loch Ness from the mountain tops, then the next best place is from a Cabin Cruiser on the Loch itself. We enjoyed a charter in June 2010 from the excellent Caley Marina.

After professional tuition we were ready to take on the various locks on the Canal and bound in no time for Loch Ness. In spite of an afternoon start, we made good time through the Canal and along Loch Ness to berth for the night at Fort Augustus.

A memorable experience in more ways than one, but that's a story for another day!



Locks on the Caledonian Canal.


Cruising on Loch Ness.


Urquhart Castle on Loch Ness.


Urquhart Castle, Loch Ness.


Caley Cruisers.


Fort Augustus.

Cairngorms Ski Centre 5th December 2010

Cairngorms Ski Centre, 5th December 2010.

Skiing and snowboarding conditions in Scotland don't come much better than at the Cairngorms Ski Centre on 5th December 2010. Looks like it's going to be a great year!


Cairngorm mountain December 2010.


Skiing in the Cairngorms, December 2010.

For self catering accommodation in Aviemore, try Creag Mhor (sleeps 4) or Lochan Mor (sleeps 8).

A wintry walk in Perthshire

I enjoyed a lovely wintry walk in Perthshire yesterday. The trip from my Office at Perth Airport to my home in Guildtown shows off Perthshire at its best and backs its claim as 'Big Tree Country'.

Enjoy the walk!