We left Katy and Nick (and one of our suitcases, since we were coming back to theirs on the way south a few days later) in Glasgow in the late morning. Time for the first national park of the trip: Cairngorms!
I had looked up a hike that didn't look too strenuous but would still offer some views. Spoiler alert: I was not disappointed! Liam drove me to Glenmore and the left to find an open café in the nearby town, as he always does. :)
The first 45 minutes or so were pretty pointless; the area looked a bit like a Swedish pine forest (I have seen plenty of those before) and when I got down to the lake, it looked like there's a newer cycle path that would have got me there faster, if I'd known it existed. Ah well!
An Lochan Uaine, completely turquoise!
But that was just the start of the hike.
From there I followed the path to Abernethy ...
... passed the Ryvoan bothy ...
... and then I started walking up Meall a' Bhuachaille, leaving the bothy behind. Everything smelled so good, heather and wood and fresh air. I was so happy already.
Up up up. The view got more and more beautiful.
Down there is the little bothy I passed, smaller and smaller by the minute ...
... and in that valley over there, An Lochan Uaine.
Soon enough I was up at the top. It was very windy and I was very happy. It was such a fantastic hike.
I stayed for a bit up there (I hid from the winds behind the giant cairn) to have some fika and properly enjoy the views in every direction.
I mean, just look at it!
And then I went down to Glenmore via a different route which made the whole hike a very pleasant circuit.
From there we drove to our bed and breakfast, the Balsporran. The best bit? It was every bit as idyllic as it looks! This is probably my favourite out of all the bed and breakfasts I've ever stayed at.
This is the cosy lounge where dinner is served if you book it in advance. The lovely host, Gary, came and served it on trays.
Everything was 100% vegan (!!! In the UK!) and absolutely delicious.
And then we read books, made phone some calls and schlomped for the rest of the evening. It was so good.
The next morning we woke up to THIS BREAKFAST which the other host, Susan, cooked in their beautiful kitchen. I MEAN. Just look at my vegan English breakfast! And scones! Opposite us at this giant table were two other guests (there is space for six guests all in all), so we spent breakfast chatting with them.
And after breakfast it was time to drive further north.
Bye, Balsporran! I can't wait to come and stay here again.
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