Creag Dubh

Good to get out and about if only for a few hours.
C Dubh is always enjoyable, especially up by the waterfall

Here`s the view loking down the
Spey towards the Cairngorms.


The view looking W on the descent.

And looking down to the Lochan by the car park

Two lochs and three yellow flowers

This is Loch Avon from the E end after the recent clearing of rain.

And this is Loch Etchachan as seen when descending from Beinn Mheadhoinn.

These marigolds are flourishing at about 980m , a little above the loch.

I was surprised to see globeflowers just N of the screes on the exit from Coire an t- Sneachda

This rockrose was growing against a dyke in lower Glen Tromie.The plants had taken a battering from recent wind and rain.

Inchriach

Yesterday, the sixth of June was again cold with fresh snow on the higher tops.Plenty of showers, too. I wondered if it was too early to see the twinflower in bloom. But here was one of only a couple noticed.

Creag Buidhe by Balavil

Chickweed wintergreen is in full flower just now.

And despite the cold snap the pearl bordered fritillary is flying.

Beinn a` Chuallaich

Moira and I went down to Perth to meet Nicola to pick up the guitar Robert had made in Antarctica. On the way we went up Beinn a` Chuallaich near Loch Rannoch.


This hare in summer `plumage` was sitting just at the top of the hill.

Deer on the way down.

Carn an Fhreiceadain

I had a quick dash up the hill this Sunday afternoon,(24/5/09).
There were a couple of pairs of golden plovers, both pairs at about
750m, on the S facing slopes.

Here`s a view looking S W to Creag Dhubh.

This picture shows the mast that has been ercted on the ridge to the N of Beinn Bhreac. The aim would be to establish the suitability of the site for a wind farm.

coigach

Last weekend we were up staying in Ullapool for Stuart McIntyre`s 60th birthday celebration ceilidh in the village hall. We took the opportunity given us by the good weather to get on to the hills just to the North.

Views from Ben More Coigach.


This incribed stone is part of the geology trail at Knockan Rock.

This is part of a stone sphere-part of the same trail.

Here`s Moira near the top of Stac Polly

Purple Saxifrage

A short trip from the car park at Achlean in Glen Feshie took me to the Allt Fhearnagan as it falls through the pine wood before meeting the main river.


Beyond this, in Coire Garbhalach, there are good places to see the early flowering purple saxifrage.

And Alpine Lady`s Mantle is renewing itself.

Back home

Here`s a view from the little hill at the back of Kingussie, Creag Bhalg, taken on Sunday,5th April.The weather had been good whilst we had been in Swizerland, but the day before, just for the start of the golf season, the weather had been bitter and there is fresh snow on the Sgoran and Cairngorm.


There are meltwater channels to the S of the hill. This is one of the most prominent and, though the land is at about 340m, it has been extensively cultivated in the past.


From the Spey, just where Raitt`s burn joins, there is a fine view towards Creag Dhubh beyond Newtonmore.


Alder tree catkins were difficult to photograph in the breeze.

Saas Fee

Moira, Catriona and I were here for a week skiing. Not much sign of Spring here. The Dom ,in this picture, is the highest peak in Swizerland.


Here`s Moira and Catriona at 3500m looking up to the Allallinhorn.


This was typical of the weather


This shot,looking NE was taken on our second day`s skiing when it looked as though,from the valley below,it was tobe a dull day.

Glen Einich

Moira and I had decided to cycle up Glen Einich from Whitewell as far as the loch and from there head up on to Braeriach. The weather that had been so fine all week was breaking, however, and by the time we reached Loch Einich it was raining. We did head up the path but the rain got heavier and we retreated.

Just as we suspected the weather improved as wecycled down the glen.

Pond skaters- another sign of spring coming to the hills?

Friday evening by Raitt`s Burn

Good to get out into the sunshine that has been the normal weather for most of the week. There are a couple of elms near where the burn joins the Spey. The trees themselves look rather poorly but the flowers are lively.

It`s good, too, to see the larch flowers on the trees near the railway.

This goldeneye was occupying the pond to the W of where the burn meets the Spey.

It was a very fine evening!