Cairngorm Mountain Railway

The hopes of a better day today were dashed, as the rain arrived mid-morning on our way up the A9 to Aviemore.  However, the cloud wasn't too low so we went ahead with the other activity I had booked - a trip on the Cairngorm Funicular.

In spite of the dull conditions, the views were spectacular and we'll just have to return on a better day to see the rest!  We did manage to see a ptarmigan and a red grouse, which was a big thrill after our visit of yesterday:-)

A friend had recommended that we visit a tearoom not far away at Inshriach Nursery, with a promise that the cakes were out of this world!  She was 100% correct and the selection was mouth watering, the best we have ever seen or eaten:-)  

The café also has a viewing gallery to see birds and red squirrels and our visitors were thrilled to see two very cute reds right in front of us, a first for all of them. (See Extra)

A lovely drive down the A9 on the way home, but more heavy rain as we approached the turning for The Hermitage, so the walk was abandoned altogether.  They'll just have to come again if they want to see the spectacular waterfall there!

They are now on their way back to Edinburgh Airport to travel home to the south of England and all have indelible memories of the beauty of the Scottish Highlands and its wildlife.