Day 3 of my road trip through the Scottish Highlands... today is castle day. Braemar, Balmoral and Corgarff.
8.00 am. Had a great night sleep in the Eagle Room at Gulabin Lodge, Spittal of Glenshee (map). It's so quiet... and so cold.
The lodge is great. Rustic highland charm. Two very cosy lounges, great kitchen and dining room. Felt very much at home.
Had another nice conversation with Steve, whom I've met the night before. There he is... ready for a day biking and walking through the Cairngorms.
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Steve at Gulabin Lodge
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Went for a stroll around the lodge, the abandoned cottage and the church and graveyard.
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Derelict cottage by the church in Spittal of Glenshee
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Derelict cottage by the church in Spittal of Glenshee
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| Spittal of Glenshee bridge. |
Driving towards Braemar. Stunning views all around.
In Braemar.
In the village shop in Braemar.
Braemar is a lovely little village... it didn't spend too much time there.. got a busy timetable today. Though stopped at the castle for a quick snap.
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Braemar Castle
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Arrived at Balmoral Castle (map), the Queen's Scottish residence.
Strolled off the beaten track and got lucky when the Queen's ponies were lead past me. Guess that's been arranged solely for my arrival!
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| The Queen's ponies at Balmoral Castle |
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The Queen's ponies at Balmoral Castle
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Found a great spot for taking pics of the castle and she just came along and stole my spot. She's spotted me pointing my lens at the castle, comes over and sits down in front of me. I couldn't believe it!
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Balmoral Castle, Cairngorms, Scotland.
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Balmoral Castle, Cairngorms, Scotland.
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Detail of Balmoral Castle, Cairngorms, Scotland.
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Detail of Balmoral Castle, Cairngorms, Scotland.
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Detail of Balmoral Castle, Cairngorms, Scotland.
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In the grounds of Balmoral Castle, Cairngorms, Scotland.
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As by repeated request from my dear friend Abbey, I had to change the wording on the sign from "crossing" to "attacking". For whatever reason her husband has a squirrel phobia. Hope you like it Abbey!
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At the grounds of Balmoral Castle, Cairngorms, Scotland.
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Cairngorms Landscape, Scottish Highlands.
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4.00 pm. What a wonderful drive through the Cairngorms. Arrived at Corgarff Castle (map). The grounds around the castle are used by the local farmer for grazing the sheep. They were so cute. Made a lot of noise though. As I was the intruder, mums alarmed their little ones about the danger and either run away or stood still.
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Sheep and lambs at Corgarff Castle, Gairngorms, Highlands, Scotland.
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Corgarff Castle. I'm glad I've visited. What a great spot in the middle of nowhere.
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Corgarff Castle, Cairngorms, Highlands, Scotland.
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Corgarff Castle, Cairngorms, Highlands, Scotland.
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Corgarff Castle, Cairngorms, Highlands, Scotland.
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Corgarff Castle, Cairngorms, Highlands, Scotland.
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Take a moment to behold, As still skies or storms unfold, In sun rain sleet or snow, Warm your soul before you go.
By Lecht Sky centre.
6.15 pm. In Tomintoul (map), apparently the highest village in the Highlands.
Sceneries from the drive from Tomintoul to Nethy Bridge, Cairngorms.
7.00 pm. Arrived at the Lazy Duck Hostel, Nethy Bridge (map). Knackered and overwhelmed by the surrounding landscape. Very cosy hostel, apparently the smallest in the UK with only 8 beds.
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Lazy Duck Hostel, Nethy Bridge, Cairngorms, Highlands, Scotland.
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Click here to see the map of the whole 8 day tour
Tour Itinerary: Edinburgh – Spittal of Glenshee (Cairngorms) – Nethy Bridge (Cairngorms) – Inverness – Inchnadamph (Sutherland) by Loch Assynt – Ullapool – Torridon – Applecross Peninsula – Loch Ness – Glen Coe – Loch Lomond - Edinburgh
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