The heart of Scotland

Everyone tells us how beautiful the Cairngorm Mountains are, and they are - in a soft rounded way with broad farmed valleys

scattered with swathes and pockets of mixed woodland trees 

and native Caledonian pines.

One day we drove around and over the mountains to visit Balmoral Castle. The King wasn't home and his minions only allowed us to walk around the gardens and grounds near the castle and enter the ballroom of the castle. No photos allowed inside.

The Loch Garten visitor centre and bird hide was excellent. Nestled amongst pines, with feeding stations in the trees outside the windows and live cameras filming nearby goshawk and osprey nests with chicks. You can just see the nest at the top of the tree about 100m from the centre.

Small birds leave when the squirrel appears.

The live screens on the osprey nest above the viewing slots.

Woodpeckers chased each other around the tree fighting over the food.

The closest we are likely to get to the capercaille, a large black and red bird that lives in pine forests, eating the needles.

The old pack horse bridge at Carrbridge.

A newer bridge over the River Spey, built in 1754. We walked three short easy flat sections of the Speyside Way, a long distance path that follows the river all the way to the coast.

Sheryl walking under the train line at Aviemore on our first Speyside Way walk of 9.6 kms.

We rode the funicular railway up the Cairn Gorm mountain. There is a ski field here in winter and they are now building a small mountain bike park. The valley below is filled with trails, shared by mountain bikes and walkers.

Six days, a few showers, mostly good weather, plenty of wildlife sightings, walking every day without crutches, albeit on very easy mostly flat paths, but getting there. One more Scottish week left. I do love this land.