Scotland – Speyside to Gairloch

The next day was another gorgeous sunny day, and we started out about 10am from Perth. We were to spend the day traveling a bit north past the Cairngorms and then we would spend the night in Grantown-On-Spey. The next day we would head west past Inverness and finally ending up in Gairloch on the west coast of Scotland. The two days were nothing more than stunning landscapes and views of the highlands of Scotland.

Our first stop was at a place called the Hermitage that runs along the River Braan. It is a heavily wood area with deep forest trails that run along the river that has many wonderful views and rocky areas and eventually a wonderful waterfall. To Becky and I it reminded us of the many times we have walked trails in the Smokey Mountains of North Carolina. The biggest difference is that in Scotland there is no humidity and the temperature, though warm, was very comfortable. The land was set aside back in the 1700’s for a blind bard known as Ossian. We came across the cave that is said to have been for this person, but there is some disagreement over that.

After the hike we then got on the road and stopped at The House of Bruar. Some call it the one big tourist trap in Scotland. They bill themselves as the country fashion shops. The facility is huge and is like a very large spread-out mall, with everything from fishing tackle (Perry bought some) to coffee shop or full restaurant that you can get lobster at. Of course, they have the full line of clothing for everyone in the family. We just stopped to sit in the parking lot, on the grass, and eat our lunch and to use the toilets. We can now say we have been there.

We then headed further into the Cairngorm Mountains and eventually drove up to the ski resort to see the views. We then worked down a bit and stopped at the Loch Garten Nature Centre in the Abernathy Nature Reserve. We stopped there as Perry and Fiona are birdwatchers and they have some cameras set up to watch some nesting osprey. It was very exciting to see the birds and to talk to some of the workers there about what was going on.

We finally ended the day at the Speyside Hotel in Grantown-On-Spey. It was a wonderful little hotel, and we had a delicious dinner and a great 2-hour conversation. It was a great day, even though I was coming down with a cold.

After a great breakfast at the hotel, we packed up and headed out. We knew this was going to be heavy driving day with a little time for a hike, but with the scenery we drove through there was nothing to complain about. We all spent most of the time just marveling at all the views that went by. It is clear right away why this area is called the highlands and why everyone talks about them. The mountains just stretch out in every direction and there are so many lochs. Some of the lochs are small and narrow and some just spill out in every direction. Perry’s friend, Jimmy from Perth, told us we should stop at Beinn Eighe. This is a mountain known as a Munro, which are mountains over 3,000 feet in the Scotland Highlands. Jimmy told us about a place along the mountain that we could go for a good hike up part of the mountain and then look down on Loch Maree. Even though I was not feeling good this day I just could not sit and not do the hike. As a matter of fact, Perry and I left Fiona and Becky at one point and went a bit higher. The views were stunning and of course these pictures can never do it justice. To be able to experience the grandeur of a place like this can only happen when you are there.

We then drove into Gairloch and had a late lunch and picked up some groceries since we would be spending the night out at a rental and where there would be no place to get dinner or breakfast. We then drove out to Glendale House in Gairloch near Red Point Beach. After checking in we went to Red Point Beach. As you reach these areas that are open to the public, you have to keep in mind that they are open grazing lands as well. So many places you hike is filled with different livestock. This area had both sheep and cattle. Though the weather was very nice, the breeze blowing in off the Atlantic Ocean was very cool, plus the water at this latitude is cold. Even then both Perry and I took off our boots and socks and walked in the water. We then headed back to the rental. I heated up and cooked some dinner and we just relaxed and visited till we were all about to fall asleep. The sunset was brilliant, but at this altitude it is not getting completely dark till after 10pm. Becky also got messages and calls from the children and grandchildren as this was Mother’s Day in the US.

So far, this trip has been amazing, and we can’t wait for the days ahead.