I Want to Go!

So difficult to choose a shot for today, but this one I thought captured the enthusiasm of the dogs at today's annual Dog Sled Rally just a few miles east of Aviemore. For the first time in 15 years they've been able to run the event on snow, meaning the three-wheeled trollies were left on the back of the vans, and the sledges employed instead.

The event is MASSIVE, with around 1,000 dogs taking part today (there were also runs yesterday, but today's snow was much much better apparently). We got down reasonably early, so at times had sections of the course to ourselves. By the time we'd turned to head for a home, a few hours later, there wasn't a space to park your car to be had, and people were abounding. It was really nice to have that peace only punctuated by another sled team making their way past, surrounded by the hills, and trees with snow clinging to them. I don't think we'd actually go back when there wasn't snow having seen the event at its picturesque best...

This was Scotland's scenery showing off (though its a best it often reaches in many different places), which just reminds me over and over why I love living in this country (as a Sassenach invader, obviously). In no time at all we can be in hills, surrounded by quiet and wildlife and stunning dramatic landscapes. They may not be as big as some; nor as exotic; or as truly remote. But it's the very fact that it's so accessible, yet virtually untouched and, for that small period of time, just yours, that make it so fantastic.

Anyway, those other shots that made the choice hard (and I did think an action shot would be more in keeping with the event, but as I said, I just liked the enthusiasm in this shot, and the expression of the howling lead dog):

Heave!
Full Tilt (featuring the same team as in the blip)
Look at the Camera
Wink
Airborne Gallop
Crash!
The Eyes Have It