Hills & Mountains
The Cairngorms
*I am in the process of redesigning this section to include notes and many more high-res shots*
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Intro* Cairngorms National Park etc
Above: Early morning cloud lifts from the slopes beside the Cairngorm Ski Centre road. The following shot, taken on Hogmanay 2019, shows the northern Cairngorms from the Coylumbridge to Boat of Garten road. The cleft of the Lairig Ghru mountain pass is immediately identifiable in the centre.
Historically the Lairig Ghru has been used simply as a route between Deeside and Strathspey. It`s often referred to as a Drove Road but the pass has been a route used by many different people, for many different purposes. It was in regular use long before the height of the droving trade in the more peaceful times after the middle of the 18th century. Until approximately the 1870s men from Rothiemurchus annually, in the spring, cleared the track of rocks that had fallen on to it during the winter.
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Apart from private properties close to the entrance at either end, the only shelter available throughout the Lairig Ghru`s length is Corrour Bothy, a small, simple stone cottage below Coire Odhar, which lies between The Devil's Point and Cairn Toul on the western side of the river. It is now used as a mountain refuge and maintained by the Mountain Bothies Association. I wasn`t too impressed when I checked out the interior many years ago but the single room with its fireplace could be a life-saver for anyone caught out in bad weather. An outer composting toilet facility in its own room has recently been installed. |
Apart from private properties close to the entrance at either end, the only shelter available throught the Lairig Ghru`s length is Corrour Bothy, a small, simple stone cottage below Coire Odhar, which lies between The Devil's Point and Cairn Toul on the western side of the river. It is now used as a mountain refuge and maintained by the Mountain Bothies Association. I wasn`t too impressed when I checked out the interior many years ago but the single room with its fireplace could be a life-saver for anyone caught out in bad weather. An outer composting toilet facility in its own room has recently been installed.
This range has been dived into three sections: Cairngorms North and South, plus Feshie. I`ve also incorporated the Aberdeenshire hills which lie to the north east.
If you`re in the Aviemore area it`s worth checking out the Sheepdog display at Leault Farm, Kincraig where head shepherd Neil Ross puts the dogs, all Border Collies, through their paces. It`s very entertaining to watch these animals at work, especially in such a magnificent setting with the Cairngorm Mountains as a backdrop. (to edit)* The adult dog demo ends with up to twelve collies in a row facing the flock of ewes that they`ve just rounded-up.
Next it`s the younger dogs who begin by herding ducks round an obstacle course and into a small pen. Once the sheepdog demonstrations are over it`s usually time for lamb-feeding and introducing the visitors to any newly arrived Border Collie pups. Further information including demonstration times can be found at: www.leaultworkingsheepdogs.co.uk.
Husky Racing*
Another extremely popular attraction in the region is the Strathspey Steam Railway which enables visitors to take a step back in time and see magnificent scenery including the western aspect of the Cairngorms in comfort. etc*