Glen Einich

When I came back from my holiday in Speyside with the family I was extolling its virtues as a walker's paradise to my friend M and she said she would like to be introduced to it. So, i checked the future weather forecast and we plumped for today. Excellent choice. We left Crieff covered in fog, presumably a haar insinuating its way inwards from the east cost and by the time we reached Pitlochry the tops of the hills could be seen and from then onwards we had perfect weather. Blue skies with a hint of a breeze.

As we drove the two hour journey northwards we were aware of fairly heavy traffic coming south, undoubtedly marking the end of the Bank Holiday week end, and then we became increasingly aware of the numerous Harley Davidson bikes also making their way south - we saw hundreds by the time we reached Aviemore. Apparently today marked the end of the annual Harley Davidson Rally in Speyside splendidly known as "Thunder in the Glens". All was peace and quiet though when we arrived in time for a sustaining coffee, home made scones and fresh raspberry jam.

M was thrilled with the ranging view of the Cairngorms as I parked in my favourite spot in the Rothiemurchus forest. Ensuring we were carrying all the essentials, including water and a drinking utensil for the dogs we set off towards Glen Einich. The route took us through the Scots pine forest with its underplanting of blaeberry and heather bushes, past a small lochan, which had shrunk considerably since I was here only a few weeks ago with the boys,. Before the path started to rise upwards we came across a collection of beehives in very striking colour of green and yellow - we wondered if this was to attract the bees or try to blend in with the scenery. As the path wound its way higher and higher we found ourselves above the main canopy of the forest.. The path which we were due to join can be seen down on the valley floor but meanwhile we had the most magnificent 360' views of Speyside. We found an excellent picnic spot on what should have been a small footbridge over a gurgling stream, but today we had our feet firmly on water smoothed rocks with Cara only able to find a tiny- but very welcome - pocket of water a little lower down the hill.

It was again difficult to choose which photo to post but I think this gives you an idea of the scale of the area we were in and the wonderful wilderness which was laid out before us with the soft grasses waving and taking on an almost lime green appearance. I think Cara looks as if she has spied the water below and is patiently waiting for us to continue. This part of the valley opened out as we reached the highest point of the path and was a complete change from the heather moorland interspersed with ancient Scots pine that we had just come through. We were delighted to see the river for the dogs' sake but were also intrigued by the geography of the valley floor, in particular the flat topped hills in the middle contrasting with the higher mountain tops which are peaked, and I wonder if any geologists among you could explain why they are so flat. The only thought we had was that at some stage the valley was filled with a glacier and this ground had tried to push up against the sheet of ice and had become flattened as it found the ice sheet impenetrable. At the end of this picturesque Glen lies a loch which I would love to reach as the contours on the map show it to be very steep sided. Unfortunately we were probably only about half way there although we had undoubtedly walked about 7 miles by the time we had returned to the car .... one day! Shortly after I took this photo the path began its descent onto the lower path and we found ourselves very close to the sparkling river which had cut its way through the valley over umpteen years. Cara immediately strode in and sank down onto the rocky riverbed, a look of bliss on her face. Bruce was a little more canny as it was quite fast flowing and after a good drink busied himself with investigating numerous interesting smells beneath the tussocks of heather.

I was very grateful to my new monopod which not only helped my tired hands from shaking the camera but also proved invaluable as a firm walking stick along the very stony and dusty path.

Other photos from the day are here:
Scots pine beside the river
Beehives
Colourful 'tundra'