Today, I am focusing on the Cairngorms which is the highest
massif in Britain and located in north central Scotland. The Cairngorm
Mountains consist of a series of peaks and ridges which reach altitudes
of up to 4,300 feet (1290 m). The rock is granite. The mountains
comprise two contrasting landscapes: smooth, rounded summit areas and
deep troughs and corries. The massif constitutes the most extensive area
over 3000 feet in Scotland.
Video clip taken from the Mountain Railway
Snow-Capped Cairngorm Mountains viewed from Aviemore
The coincidence of landform and climate has given rise to ideal
skiing conditions.The high elevation results in extensive snowfall which
stays in situ for long periods thus allowing skiing to continue well
into the Spring.
Winter Scene, Cairngorms
Remoteness of the mountains has fostered a diverse wildlife which
includes golden eagles, ptarmigan, capercaillie and other species
coupled with unusual alpine flora.
Winter Scene, Cairngorms
The four key peaks which dominate the Cairngorms are: Ben Macdhui
(4295 ft.), Braeriach (4294 ft.), Cairn Toul (4242 ft) and Cairn Gorm
(4085 ft.).
The key visitor sites in the area are:
The town of Aviemore which is focused on skiing and other outdoor activities.
The Rothiemurchus Estate which offers a diverse range of outdoor
pursuits set in a landscape of mountains, lochs and pine forest.
The Strathspey Steam Railway which operates (April-October) from Aviemore to Boat of Garten.
The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds Visitor Centre at Aviemore.
A furnicular railway up the flank of Cairn Gorm to the ski area.
Ospreys on Loch Garten.
Loch Morlich which is surrounded by pine and spruce forest and benefits from a sandy beach and watersports centre.
(Above image is a capture of Tyninghame Beach with Bass Rock.) This afternoon, my wife and I visited Tyninghame Beach (aka Ravenshaugh Sands) which is located on the east coast of Scotland, between North Berwick and Dunbar, about thirty miles east of Edinburgh. Windy conditions near Bass Rock. As will be evident from the images herein, this is an absolutely stunning site, especially in the sunny conditions we encountered. The beach forms part of a nature preserve and is not easy to find. Access entails an approx.one mile walk along rough trails from the nearest car park. Beach vista As a bonus, there is an unusual site, just off the beach at the southern end, in form of a collection of about one hundred concrete blocks which I assume to have been 'tank blockers' which would have been originally positioned on the beach to thwart landings of enemy tanks in WW2. From a military persective Tyninghame Beach, with its long
This evening, I am posting information on the ‘Million Dollar View’. Image above was taken from the lower reaches of Struie Hill, Ross-shire, Scotland on the A836 looking north. Villages on the edge of the Firth (north) include Kincardine, Ardgay and Bonar Bridge. To the east (right of the picture) the Firth connects with the North Sea. ‘Firth’ is a Scottish word for bay or estuary, in this case where
This afternoon, I am reporting the route of Glen Quaich in Central Scotland. This is a scenic, single track road which is usually closed to traffic in winter. The route covers about twelve miles and runs between the villages of Amulree and Kenmore on the northern tip of Loch Tay in Perthshire. Depending on time of year it is possible to encounter low lying snow, many sheep, grouse and other exceptional opportunities for photography. Incidentally, Quaich means a drinking cup. In a certain place the landscape is shaped like a bowl. Glen Quaich, Perthshire, Scotland Glen Quaich Black Grouse at Glen Quaich Here are a couple of video clips.
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