Scotland Trip
Today is the first day of 2 weeks in Scotland in the van. We've been getting a bit stressed out about it over the last couple of days, because we hadn't had the time or inclination to get all our stuff ready in the evenings after work. So we decided to chill out and just set off when we were ready on Saturday. As it turned out, we couldn't have planned it better, because there were no delays whatsoever (except in Sandbach when we went to fetch the canoe, because the farmers market was just finishing).
We had the nicest almond croissants we have ever tasted at Tebay services at about 4pm, and then had dinner at McDonalds at Bannoch at about 7.30pm, which was as good as could be expected. We've found a free spot to stop for the night by the shore of Loch Lomond with a view of the snow dusted Ben Lomond across the water.
I wasn't really expecting there to be much snow left here, because everywhere else we've been recently it has nearly all melted. But I was passed some inside information from my cousin Phil last night that ice axes and crampons may well be needed, and then today that it is snowing in the Cairngorms! In April! Seems I'm still a bit naive about Scottish weather even after all these years of visiting. Hopefully this means the midges won't be out yet...
As well as all our winter mountaineering stuff, we also have spring mountaineering stuff, a 3 man Canadian canoe and paddling equipment, canopy awning and folding chairs, enough food to feed a small army, Chris Bear, and a kettlebell. As you may recall from previous blogs, the kettlebell is a multi use piece of equipment that is equally at home being swung round during a lochside workout, or when banging tent pegs into the ground. Surprisingly, we still have room to spare in George, which is a good job because we can't put the pop top up because there's a canoe on the roof.
The weather forecast for the next week is not great unfortunately, no more of this glorious spring sunshine we've had for the last couple of weeks. It's appalling in the west and not too bad in the east, so we're heading to the Cairngorms first, where we will remain for at least a week, and then until it's time to go home or the weather picks up elsewhere.
It's now Sunday evening and we have arrived safely in the heart of the Cairngorms.
We had a bit of a lie in this morning, until about 9am by which time it had more or less stopped raining. We both slept unusually well, especially for the first night in the van. We could only see the bottom half of Ben Lomond while we ate our breakfast because of the cloud.
We had a nice drive through the Highlands, a route we've never taken before because previously we've always headed west at the top of the loch. As usual, Tom Tom took us on some weird and wonderful roads which were well off the beaten track. I did think that the roads might peter out and turn into tracks and then paths and then nothing, but they didn't. There was a lot of snow around on the hills, and even some on the road at one point. It went from bright sunshine and blue skies to belting it down with rain or sleet about 6 times during the day. During the sunny periods we had some lovely views of the surrounding hills, and patches of oncoming rain. We saw two deer during the day, one tragically dead by the road and the other standing majestically in a field.
When we reached the Cairngorms national park we drove round for a while checking out the area and campsites near Newtonmore and Aviemore. We didn't think much of Aviemore - it was swarming with people and seemed like a bit of a tourist trap, but I'm sure we will be calling in there to stock up at the supermarket and to check out the multitude of outdoor shops in town.
We had a look at 5 or 6 campsites. There were a few that were awful - just fields full of caravans with no illusion of privacy whatsoever. Then we found a few nicer sites with nice secluded woodland pitches (some with electric hookup). One of them had to be struck off the list because the warden chased after us and told us off when we had a drive round the site without informing reception first. The ones closest to Aviemore were a bit pricey though, at least £25 a night and electricity was extra.
However, after all that, we didn't end up staying at any of them! I'd spotted a little loch called Loch an Eilein a few miles from Aviemore, which I wanted to check out for possible paddling and overnight stopover opportunities. It feels like a hundred miles from Aviemore as it is a very secluded and peaceful loch surrounded by woodland with none of the hustle and bustle of a few miles away. It turned out that you can pay to stay overnight in the parking area and have use of the toilets, so that's what we did. It's a lot cheaper than the local campsites (£14) and we can go for a paddle in the morning without having to drive anywhere. We will still be in search of free spots during the week though.
After a cup of tea and some French biscuits we found in the van from our last holiday, Claire suggested we go for a "wander" before dinner. I assumed by this she meant maybe walking down to the loch, finding the shortest and easiest route between van and water for the canoe, using the loo and then coming back for food. We ended up walking all the way round the loch. I would have worn a better jacket if I'd known that was what she meant by a wander, because it started raining half way round and I was a bit concerned about my down gilet. Fortunately the rain didn't have the enthusiasm of the earlier weather and we arrived back at the van only slightly damp.
The woodlands were lovely with lots of birds in the trees and views across the loch. There was a slightly creepy rundown cottage part way round, which we couldn't quite decide whether anyone lived in or not. I peered through a window and was still not sure, but then chickened out of looking through any more in case a serial killer lived there. It was that sort of place.
We've had dinner now, the car park is deserted and it appears we have the place to ourselves. We plan to make a much earlier start tomorrow, because the water is usually calmer first thing, and it's forecast to start raining at 2pm. By then I hope to be back in George having lunch and a hot drink.
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