Reindeer in the Cairngorms

We had a hearty breakfast and were not yet ready to walk as our tummies were too full; so we went up Cairngorm to the Mountain Railway centre.  The railway is not operational at present as work is being done on it, but we had coffee in the cafe and enjoyed the view down to Loch Morlich far below.  And about ten reindeer were grazing around, and I was happy to see them and photograph them. Looks good in large. 

Reindeer were native to Scotland but died out about 800 years ago.  However, Mikel Utsi, a Sami reindeer herder, came to Scotland with his new wife on his honeymoon and saw that the Cairngorm mountains with its tundra landscape was perfect for reindeer with all that they needed.  So he was given permission to reintroduce them and in 1952 the first reindeer arrived from Sweden.  A few more were brought over in subsequent years and of course they have increased in numbers, and at present there is a herd of about 150.  

After our coffee stop we came down to Glenmore and walked to the Green Lochan, and then went further to the Pass of Ryvoan and stopped for lunch at the bothy there.  I had been told by my blipper friend Elgar that the poem which had been on the door of the bothy for many years, since the 'fifties, was no longer there, and Bob was determined to replace it, so had brought a copy with him.  But we discovered that the Mountain Bothies Association, who look after the bothy, had re-established it, with a note of its history, and a plea for it to be respected and left intact.  We were pleased to see it.  It was written by a lady from Cumbria, who loved the mountains.  (see extra)

We had a lovely day and a great walk, and finished off with drinks at the Coylumbridge with some friends who are up there with their grandchildren just now.  Sadly the place has deteriorated quite a lot over the last few years, but the bar was fine!!!