Walking the Cairngorms Luibeg Bridge

Walking the Cairngorms Luibeg Bridge.

Winter Walking in the Cairngorms and the welcome sight of the Luibeg Bridge when the water is too high to cross downstream!

Walking the Cairngorms The Devils Point

Walking the Cairngorms The Devils Point.

One of the iconic images of the Cairngorms National Park - The Devils Point provides challenging walking far from the pressures of modern life.

Cairngorms Ascending The Devils Point

Cairngorms Ascending The Devils Point.

Fantastic walking in the Cairngorms National Park. Ascending The Devils Point from Corrour Bothy.

Strathspey Steam Railway Aviemore a great day out

Strathspey Steam Railway Aviemore a great day out.

Come to the Strathspey Railway over the weekend of 23 and 24 May and play a game of 'Hunt the Teddy'! A number of special Teddy Bears have been hidden along the railway and it's your job to find them.

An ideal event for young and old alike. Children bringing a teddy bear with them travel free (when accompanied by a fare paying adult).

Walking Scotland Aviemore Cairngorm via Lurchers Crag

Cairngorm via Lurchers Crag

I've always wanted to traverse the length of the Northern Corries from Lurchers Crag round to Cairngorm, preferably on a cracking winters day.

Sunday 2nd December 2007 provided an ideal opportunity as Norrie was up from Sawbridgeworth on a corbett bagging mission, but fancied a day up in the snow.

The day started promisingly and as we drove past Loch Morlich, I insisted that Norrie got out of the car to take a photo of the Northern Corries from the loch. The still scene was a definite contrast to the buffeting we were to get later.



We started from the Sugar Bowl car park and after descending and crossing the river, made our way past the fenced in Reindeer herd en route for the Chalamain gap. The jumble of rocks became more and more difficult to cross, and you can't help think about the forces of nature as you clamber through. The gorge was originally cut by glacial melt water, but the rocks seem to congregate as a result of freeze/thaw.



Passing through the gap, we headed for the Lairig Ghru, before taking the path steeply up towards Lurchers Crag. Norrie assures us that a lurcher dog once chased a deer to the top of the crag, thus providing the top with it's name. That being the case, it wasn't the only thing with its tongue hanging out, as I tried to keep up
with the pace of Susan who's fitness is inversely proportionate to my own!



Once the height was gained it was a pleasant stroll on to the summit although by this time we were subject to the full force of the strong winds. We spotted our first fellow walker apparently heading on through to Ben MacDui as we descended from Lurchers Crag, before resuming the upward climb towards Cairn Lochan.



Visibility by now was poor which is a pity as Norries photos of the climbers at play would have been dramatic to say the least. Being walkers who like to scramble in summer conditions, we know the high that can be obtained by putting yourself in danger occasionally, but I'm afraid climbing and in particular winter climbing isn't for me. I'd rather be sitting in a pub with a roaring fire, than sitting on my backside in frozen snow, waiting on my pals climbing carefully through the snow!


There were quite a few climbers out that day although conditions didn't seem the best. We stopped on Cairn Lochan to photograph some friendly snow buntings who had gotten a taste for cheese and Branston pickle!



Heading for Cairngorm now and all of a sudden, people were appearing from everywhere, and our sense of pioneering spirit was quashed! Even more so as we reached the Visitors Centre, with sledges everywhere!

We took the direct route down with a few tumbles in the deep snow, to arrive back at the car after a leisurely 7 hours. It was certainly an enjoyable walk which would really have provided some cracking photos on a clear day.
The evening was finished off with a few beers and a curry in Aviemore which was a great end to a great day.

Cairngorms Aviemore Winter in Scotland

Cairngorms Aviemore Winter in Scotland.

Winter in the Cairngorms near Aviemore offers a host of activities from skiing and snowboarding to Climbing and even sled dog events!

At the time of writing in February 2009, the great snowfall recently has resulted in excellent conditions for snow sports at Cairngorm Mountain for the half term holidays. Skiing is possible from top to bottom, all 12 lifts are operating and all 39 runs are skiable. Visit the Cairngorm Mountain web site for the most up to date conditions and weather.

Loch Morlich Aviemore Cairngorms Scotland

Loch Morlich Aviemore Cairngorms Scotland.

The beautiful Loch Morlich near Aviemore in the Cairngorms National Park, Scotland.