01.10.2011 – 01.10.2011  16 °C

Early start this morning as I was starting my Scottish leg of my Brittanic Ramble by leaving Aberdeen and heading into the Cairngorn National Park to stay at Pitlochry.

The Cairngorn is probably most famous for being home to Balmoral Castle. The whole area was one of Victoria’s “favourite places” which is why Albert built Balmoral in the Scottish hills. After spending the day driving through, I can see the attraction! My first stop was in a small town called Banchory which is home to another of Victoria’s castles Crathes Castle. This is one of the few castles that I went to but chose to not actually enter but to instead just enjoy the grounds. At the moment here in Scotland the weather is getting colder and so the leaves on all of the trees are starting to change colour. Therefore the gardens in these castles are just magical. When you see landscapes like these it makes me believe in fairies! During my saunter through the woods, I also ran across a brown squirrel (I’ve seen grey ones but not the really cute little brown ones!). The little blighter was too quick for me to get out my camera and take a shot but I sure am glad I’ve seen one! (I’ve been told that they are quite rare in Britain and are only really found up in the Scottish Highlands).

My next stop was a town called Ballater. It is another one horse town in the Cairngorn but this one can claim to have the last train stop before Balmoral! After Albert had completed the castle he had a train line installed from Aberdeen to Ballater to enable the royal household to travel from Windsor to Balmoral in comparative comfort aboard one of the new ‘fangled’ steam engines! A replica of Victoria’s train is on display in Ballater for all to admire the luxury and opulence of the ‘Empress of India’. I have to say that for the 1800s she sure did travel in style! By now, my appetite was completely whetted and I continued my journey along the back road to Bramaer (home to the famous highland games), on which Balmoral Castle is situated. I think really intelligently, Victoria chose to never have the train line installed all the way to her castle as she wanted at least 10 miles between her and the train line to ensure peace and tranquillity (and after seeing the area I don’t blame her). The Queen is actually in residence today at Balmoral so I was unable to get any closer than the big wrought iron gates and the police officer who was sitting out in the rain! If the surrounding woods are anything to go by, the grounds of the palace must be pretty special and certainly would be a hunter’s paradise. I must say that the whole area around Balmoral is really beautiful countryside and if I had the money I would certainly have built my holiday palace in this part of the world too!

After leaving Balmoral the sky was really “chucking it down” and I had a hard time driving the last 30 miles or so to Pitlochry. I’m sure I’ve said it before but the one lane roads here are no piece of cake and double that with lots of rain and you have a recipe for a headache! Although the weather and the road were awful I can only imagine how jaw dropping the scenery must look! Through the rain I could barely glimpse some huge mountains and the occasional ski run (yep ski run!) so I’m certain that in fine weather the landscape would be incredible! I was only too glad to get to my hostel, get myself some dinner and settle in to watch a movie on tv! (I love staying at out of the way hostels here in England and having the tv to yourself!)