Blair Atholl Castle

 7.00am, loo time. We was having a lie in today and then going round the castle. But the body got me up as usual. So i dashed to the toilet block across dew laden grass. On the way back i stopped and looked north and west, giving challengers my thoughts. It was dark and foreboding, i shivered at the thought of those higher up, opening there own tent doors and seeing what would look like a dull day.
 I went back to bed for an hour.

Our own weather was looking good, sunny but with a chilly north wind. We set of to the castle, post breakfast.

 It was a shame that at this time the castle was being painted. 

Hercules gardens are recently restored and when summer arrives the colours will be beautiful. The gardens and deer park are all very nice and you can spend hours just wandering around the grounds.

 Inside the castle itself, is stunning. So much history. The arms on display are second to none and the memorabilia going back to the Jacobite rebellion took lots of our time. Photographs are not allowed. Pity. But you can take pictures in the ballroom. Above.

 Outside i took this photo of Sheila stood beside some of the amazing trees in the park.

This is just a quick post as the internet is not good today and i am more than surprised i have managed to get some photo's on at all.

The castle has taken most of our day today but well worth a visit.

Banvie, Bruar and Beer. A good combination.

 We chose a lie in today but it didn't happen. A warm tent, sun shining and making it feel like a sauna soon had us awake and once awake you have to go to the loo, don't you.
So we were up at 7.30 and eager for breakfast. For some reason Sheila said she was starving. I don't know how after everything she ate last night.

 The days are becoming quite cyclic if thats the term, where the weather can be forecast almost to the minute. The sun shines for about 15 minutes then a breeze arrives and 5 minutes later dark clouds and a spot of rain or a light shower. Then it repeats itself. Generally speaking not a bad day.

 Our route today was to head for Old Blair, through the castle grounds and then pick up the footpath along the west bank of the Banvie Burn. Reaching Old Blair we came across a Dutch Couple who were a bit lost and were looking for Glen Tilt. We pointed them in the right direction and then Sheila posed at Minigaig road.

The path up beside the Banvie is very picturesque through mixed woodland. Good views behind of Carn Laith and Morvick appear as height is gained.
Looking north across grouse moorland cairns can be seen on the escarpment.
I found a small deer antler in the grass which was a surprise as it was so close to the path.

We made a couple of detours on route. One to the Banavie Pillar where the last man was hung in this area and also to Whim lookout where there is a great view down the glen.
I will post some more photo's when we get back home.

 Yesterday we went down Glen Tilt which is supposed to be one of the most lovely glens. Well in our opinion the Banvie is far better. I am so pleased we decided on this route.

As the watershed is reach there are expansive views across to the Cairngorms and there is still small coverings of snow around. We saw a small herd of deer along the skyline of Meall Dubh.

 The path splits at the end of the forestry. We turned south and headed down towards the Falls of Bruer. It was here that we had one of only two showers of rain today. Neither long. We met two walkers heading up and these were the only two walkers seen today.

 The falls of Bruar are spectacular and well worth a visit if you are ever in this area.

There are numerous vantage points to take loads of photo's of the falls and the bridges and i wish i could load just a few more for you to see the beauty.
We spent about 3/4 hr here in admiration and then headed down to the House of Bruar. Where we looked, held onto our wallets and headed off smartish.

As we reached the main road a sign said Blair Atholl 3 miles. So i said to Sheila "it will be about 1 hr before we can have some chips". About a mile down the road and another sign said Blair Atholl 4 miles! These Scottish miles take the biscuit.

So here we are now back at base, chips eaten and delicious too, a couple of beers bought for later. Looking forward to tomorrow and a lazy day around the castle and village. Well we can't go home without using our free pass now can we.

Glen Tilt - a wee ride.

 This area around Blair Atholl is certainly a mountain bikers dream. Yesterday there were also 7000+ competitors here for the Marie Curie bike race. 7000, can you envisage that number. Fantastic turnout.
 So today now that things have quietened down and the weekenders have gone back to work. Shame but we've all been there. We decided to hire mountain bikes and go for a ride down Glen Tilt.

 Now its 25 years at least since i rode a bike and the difference between the new and old bikes is staggering. The gears and brakes actually work, too well at times i can tell you.

 We hired the bikes from the guy who runs the chippy and the pizza place  at "Food in the Park"and it was well worth the day rental.
 It was quite nice when we set off, but it was obviously going to change as black clouds roll in. Then we had a down pour and then it cleared for 15 minutes before the next batch of rain. That has been how the day progressed.

 The estate road or land rover track is not an open road and so the only traffic we met was from the estate. Oh, and the postman. The track goes right through to Braemar but its not all land rover track and so care needs to be taken on the short paths.

 We cycled in total 20 miles,  to just where the forestry peters out, had lunch, took in the scenery and cycled back. Going the wind and the rain was at our back and progress was rapid but on the reverse it was hard work with quite a strong wind and the hail and rain stinging our faces.

 The jacket proved it's worth. And i was very pleased about that. And there will be a seperate post on the jackets.

 Glen Tilt is a wonderful glen with stunning scenery and i can understand why it's on the route of so many TGO challengers. Especially with having a good fish and chip shop open 11.00am until 8.00pm in Blair.
The campsite at Blair Athol Castle is large but gets booked up at weekends. You need to book weeks in advance if you wish to overnight here. During the week it would be easier.

Gone North for rain

This post has been written twice now. The internet keeps chucking out. Why is the internet so bad in rural UK!
There will be no photo's unfortunately because they take too long to load.

So here we are in Blair Atholl having gone North in search of rain. Yes rain.

Some readers will know that i have 2 new shell jackets for review and i needed a week of "weather" to finish off what has been a few months in the making.

Today we have been up Carn Liath, we had intended to do the next Munro too but my knee which i damaged in the Lammermuirs a few weeks ago had given way just before we left home and its still sore. So in order to get the most out of the week i need to rest it rather than over do it.

Its been a mixed day for sure. Sun, snow, rain and cloud. I'm now sat in the tent typing this and the heavens have just opened. I love being in a tent when it rains.

So Carn Liath, easy access from Blair Atholl and a good path all the way to the top and beyond.
Its our first Munro of the year. Its steep and unremitting but not difficult, just a slog.

What stunning views as well from the tops of the 3 Munro's in this group. with small pockets of snow still in the corries. Sorry about the pics but i will down load some when i get back home.

More tomorrow i hope.

I have managed to load 1 photo of us at the top of Carn Liath.