Rothiemurchus Estate

Walking to An Lochan Uaine

This is one of my favourite walks out to a small loch with a well placed bench for a brew.

Before setting off I texted a friend with the NGR of where my car was parked, an outline of my route, the NGR of the loch and my estimated time back to the car – just in case. It was lightly snowing and -3c when I left the car.

Walking to An Lochan Uaine

It was cold enough that I was glad of the gadget gloves I was wearing. The the ends of the fingers are treated so I can use my iPhone 6S camera screen controls without having to take my gloves off. For extra warm though the gloves are thin enough that I can wear them inside the Norwegian wool mittens my Mother bought me on her visit to Norway last spring. These mittens have a wind proof pre-shrunk wool outer with a softer wool inner and they are incredibly warm. They were not cheap but they are worth every penny.

Walking to An Lochan Uaine

Several sections of the path I used were flooded, with one length of about 150m looking more like a stream than a path, where the banks of a small river, the path forded, had been washed away.

Ice and water on the path

Ice and water on the path

The flooding did however make for some interesting ice over the running water.

An Lochan Uaine
An Lochan Uaine – completely frozen

The loch was nearly completely silent, except for a very occasional quiet bird song and the few minutes roar of my gas stove.

Lunch stop Alpkit titanium mug, folding titaniun spoon and Kraku stove
Heinz tomato soup, tuna, crackers and a chocolate bar – at one of the best outdoor restaurants I know!

Walking to An Lochan Uaine
shot through the snow

Of course once back at the car I let my safety contact know I was back OK.

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Walking in the Cairngorm National Park

I got out before 8am yesterday – walking whatever the weather.


looking back at Scandinavian Village

I headed out from Scandinavian Village across the Rothiemurchus Estate to Loch an Eilein. Looped around the Loch and came back in the Old Logging Trail.

The rain showers stopped after a couple of hours and let the midges come out – but that did not stop it being a good walking day.

The breeze picked up just enough in the afternoon so when I stopped for tea the midges were kept away.


heather honey being made

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Walking Today – Rothiemurchus

I did set out along the Old Logging Way but was undecided as to whether to head towards An Lochan Or to climb up along the path to Lairig Ghru – in the end the weather looked favourable to get some high level photos graphs so I chose the Lairig Ghru path. The plan was to get out above the tree line, stay high on the ridge and see what the photo opportunities were. On the way up I did get some shots in and around the forest.

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However when I got above the tree line the weather deteriorated so much that I had to come down.

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