Loch Morlich looking towards the Cairngorms by Bob Kinnaird

Here in the Cairngorms National Park we have started the search for our very own Ansell Adams in the Visit Cairngorms ‘Make it Yours’ Photographic Competition.

So what makes an iconic landscape shot?  Well, have a look below at a brilliant example of The Cairngorms taken by local photographer Bob Kinnaird.

Before you head off in search of ‘iconic’ here are some top tips that may come in handy before taking the ultimate landscape shot.

 Finding the perfect spot

To minimise fuel costs do some research on which part of the Park you want to take the shot.  Here are some key Landscape facts about The Cairngorms National Park:-

• The Park is 3800 sq kilometres in area, 40% larger than the Lake District and twice the size of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs.
• A mountainous area. Five of Scotland’s six highest mountains lie within the Park, there are 52 summits over 900 metres. 10% of the land area is over 800 metres and 68% is over 400 metres above sea level.
• An arctic wilderness – the land above 600 metres – known as the ‘montane zone’ – is the largest area of arctic mountain landscape in the British Isles.
• The Cairngorms contains the finest collection of different landforms outside arctic Canada – from granite tors to heavings and leavings from Ice Age glaciers.
• The Spey, Dee and Don valleys are major features of the lower ground.

 Getting the right light

Many landscape photographers believe the best light comes with the early morning light; a window that lasts an hour so before and after sunrise. Others argue that sunset provides more vivacious colouring, whereas some declare winter sun to be the best for shooting during the middle hours of the day.

 Creative Composition

Have a look at our webpage www.visitcairngorms/makeityours and read the brilliant advice given by UK based Photographer Jamie Crawford.  Jamie has spent many hours in The Cairngorms National Park and know the art of getting the right creative compostition and lots of great advice.

We have already had some terrific entries to the competition if you haven’t already looked then log on to our FACEBOOK page Aviemore & The Cairngorms.

Next week I will introduce you to some of the WILDLIFE in the Park.

Spring is here, and all over the Cairngorms National Park people are heading to the countryside to enjoy the great outdoors.  With an abundance of wildlife from red squirrels and wildcats to capercaillie, red deer and pine martens, there is so much to keep your eyes open for as the days get longer and lighter.

This month, What’s On headed out into the countryside to find some of the furry and feathered inhabitants of the Park. Let us fill you in on two of the most elusive, famous and unique to this area. Do keep your eyes open on your travels – you never know what you are going to see!

Red Squirrels

Red squirrels are about as iconic an animal as you can get in the Cairngorms National Park. We are incredibly lucky to still have a stronghold of these little fellows, and the ancient Caledonian Pine Forests provide the perfect habitat for these quite timid creatures. However, they are still in danger from their grey cousins. The Victorians introduced grey squirrels into the UK in the late 19th century and since then, they have largely replaced red squirrels in much of England and have made considerable in-roads into Scotland. So far the story in the Highlands is very positive, we have no grey squirrels! You can see red squirrels wherever you go in the Cairngorms National Park – you just need to keep your eyes peeled, and if you do spot one (and, equally, if you spot one of the pesky grey variety) then head to www.redsquirrelsofthehighlands.co.uk and record your finding. Spring is the perfect time to spot a red squirrel as they have shed their duller coats and the red/orange fur shines brilliantly in the early morning or late afternoon sunshine.

Capercaillie

With a name derived from the Gaelic capull coille, meaning “horse of the woods”, the Capercaillie is not a bird to be reckoned with! The largest member of the grouse family, reaching over 100 cm in length and 6.7 kg in weight, in fact, the largest Capercaillie ever recorded in captivity had a weight of 7.2 kg. (15.9 lbs). In Scotland, the population has declined greatly since the 1960s because of deer fencing, predation and lack of their suitable habitat – Caledonian Forest. The population plummeted from a high of 10,000 pairs in the 1960s and has declined so rapidly that it is at very real risk of extinction (for the second time) and is a RSPB ‘Red List’ species. However, due to the hard work of the conservation organisations the bird is making a modest recovery – especially in the Cairngorms National Park, where we are lucky enough to have suitable landscapes for these birds to thrive. During April – July the birds nest and have dependent young, so it is important that dogs are kept under close control or on a lead.

Take the Lead

Everybody loves a springtime walk with man’s best friend, but we have to remember that we share this area with some very special species and so; we all have to consider each other. With this in mind, as part of a programme of events encouraging people to ‘tread lightly in the National Park’ the Cairngorms National Park Authority are asking people with dogs, to be especially considerate of wildlife at this time of year.

As we have seen, the Cairngorms National Park is home to some fantastic birds and mammals and, at this time of year, there’s lots of new young being born and nests occupying many low levels, so there is vulnerable wildlife everywhere.

So what can you do to help? Keeping your dog under close control, so that they don’t wander off, and respond to your commands while being kept close at heel is the best start. In some areas like National Nature Reserves you might be requested to put your dog on a short lead too.

Be sure to head to www.visitcairngorms.com to read more about our local wildlife and why not book yourself onto a wildlife watching trip whilst your there? There is nothing better than heading out with those in the know to get a glimpse of the most spectacular species you can think of.

Having served my time on the commuter highways of the UK, I now enjoy a commute of a less stressful kind; 28 non-stop, yes non-stop miles between Inverness and Aviemore in the Highlands of Scotland.  Over the last ten weeks I have seen Winter develop into Spring and the most incredible changing landscape on a daily basis.  I couldn’t be further away from the M25, M60 or M8 and have never been happier. Problem solved.

If you are looking for a stress busting journey this year then there really is no time like the present to take a road trip to The Cairngorms National Park.  Like the rest of the UK we are seeing March temperatures hitting record highs and relaxing into the new found Mediterranean atmosphere that has us all reaching for stretch lycra and disposing of our “inner slob” – time to get active!

Don’t forget your toothbrush and don’t forget your camera.  We are launching a photographic competition park wide from 2^nd April until the 4^th June.  Our very talented PR Company have sourced incredible prizes from global photographic giant Pentax and with just one click you could win a brand new digital camera worth £850

Every Thursday over the next nine weeks, we will post a weekly blog during The Make it Yours Photography competition period to give you news and features from the Park.

There are three photography subjects to choose from which include landscapes, wondrous wildlife and friends and family enjoy the park.  How you capture the image and where is up to you – there is a lot of Park to choose from.  All we ask is that you enter your entry through our Facebook page ‘Aviemore & The Cairngorms’

Next week’s blog is going to look at Landscapes – camera’s at the ready!

angela@visitcairngorms.com

The Met Office has advised that the Fire Severity Index is showing more elevated levels in the days ahead with parts of Scotland showing very high fire conditions for Wednesday 28 March 2012.

With the school holidays and Easter approaching, members of the public and visitors are being urged to be especially careful during this dry snap and follow advice to:

• Never light a fire during a prolonged dry period
• Use a stove rather than an open fire if cooking outdoors
• If using a disposable barbecue, place it on a solid fire resistant surface such as stones and take it home once it has cooled

In the last week a serious wildfire was put out by the South Grampian Wildfire Group, a partnership between Grampian Fire and Rescue Services and many of the Estates in the South Grampian area.  The partnership brings together the capabilities of the fire service with the specialist skills and equipment of the Estates.

Michael Bruce from Glen Tanar Estate and Chairman of the South Grampian Wildfire Group said: “The risk of wildfire is very high just now, the grasses and heather are very dry. Although this fire was small it had big flames and was extremely dangerous. It was a warning. So I would urge all visitors to the countryside to be both careful and vigilant.”

Head of Operations at Grampian Fire and Rescue Service, David Rout, said: “The recent fire at Forest o’Birse in the Grampian area serves as a timely reminder of the significant risks that wildfire presents to those fighting the fires, biodiversity and our economy.

“Grampian Fire and Rescue Service fully supports and contributes to the work of the Scottish Wildfire Forum. It serves as an excellent example of partnership working to prevent fires occurring, sharing best practice and providing awareness and advice to our own staff, estate owners and members of the public.”

Further information is available from the Scottish Wildfire Forum or by contacting Michael Bruce on Tel: 013398 86451.

Here in the Cairngorms National Park we have 64km of off road routes (not to mention cycleways and exciting road routes) to choose from.

The many miles of natural cross-country routes are ideal for off-road riders and are open to a wide range of ages and fitness levels, not to mention safe. So, there is no reason not to hop on your bike.

Here What’s On investigates some routes that you may not be so familiar with, but are perfect for all the family.

Grantown-On-Spey

Ideal for families, as it is so accessible being on the doorstep of Grantown-on-Spey, is Anagach Woods, which contains miles of forest trails. These trails link easily into longer and more technical routes on the Dava Moor and the Cromdale Hills. The Speyside Way and the Dava Way provide long rides through some wonderful countryside and for those looking for a challenge it is possible to complete a 50km round trip to Glenmore Forest. The famous Burma Road Route(which includes and epic climb!)is only 16km away and is a great place to challenge yourself further on a day trip.

Aviemore to Boat of Garten

For something different, why not head out along the Speyside Way from Aviemore to Boat of Garten? The track is wide and uncomplicated, and offers fantastic views of the Cairngorm mountain range. On arriving in Boat of Garten, you can tour around the magnificently scented pine forests, or grab a sandwich and soup, before heading into the village and taking the historic steam railway back into Aviemore. Just right for a family day out. You can buy some great biking maps from Rothiemurchus, as well as bike shops throughout the region, that detail a number of different routes in the area.

Ballater

Ballater is surrounded by circular routes typically lasting between one and four hours. The Old Deeside Railway Cycle Route is especially suitable for families with tearooms and riverside views. Many of the routes are also great for spotting wildlife including buzzards, red squirrel, osprey and Highland cattle. The Cambus O’ Mey forest trials are incredibly picturesque and easy to navigate, with lochans, bridges and winding trails through the Scots Pine on waymarked routes, it’s the perfect place to tackle some low level mountain biking.

Blair Atholl

Blair Atholl has a network of more than 50 miles of paths, tracks and trails taking you along rivers, through forests and into the remote glens of the Cairngorms National Park. Glen Tilt on the Atholl Estates is one of the most impressive glens you will see. You can cycle as far as you wish – up beside the River Tilt to the beech avenue at Gilbert’s Bridge (4 miles), on to Marble Lodge or Forest Lodge (8 miles), or a full day’s hard ride right through to Royal Deeside. Only estate vehicles can use this route, so it is virtually traffic-free.

Brush up those skills

If you feel you need to brush up on your biking skills, or even need a bit of extra confidence to approach some of the more technical routes in the National Park, then why not book on a course? There are workshops for beginner’s right through to improver and teaching qualifications on offer at bike shops throughout the Park – as well as the all important bike maintenance courses to ensure you never get stuck! Have a look at the www.visitcairngorms.com website to find out where you can get expert advice on a cycling activity to suit you and, of course, where to hire a bike.

Look to the future….

The Glenlivet Estate will soon be opening two new trails of six and 12 miles long following approval in Dec 2011 from the National Park Authority. These trails will be built in the forests near Tomintoul alongside a hub in the forest at Carn Meilich and Carn Daimh.

Don’t Forget!

All paths in Scotland – including those in the Cairngorms National Park – are multi-use paths, so you will see walkers, horse riders, bikers, and a host of other active folk on any given day and any given path. When out on your bike remember your bell or, failing that, shout a quick and polite “excuse me” as you approach other path users. Simple courtesy from everyone using the paths means that we all have a good day out!  In addition, stick to the marked paths; the Cairngorms is home to an array of protected and valuable wildlife and conservation areas – it’s the reason why this special place is so beautiful. So please, whether you walk, ride, bike or hike help us keep it that way and stick to the paths.

Come rain, snow or sunshine the list seems to be endless, so why not join us and try something new this year? It’s always good to push those boundaries and we get to explore one of the most beautiful parts of the world at the same time! What’s On has shortlisted 5 activities as a start, so what are you waiting for?!

Acquire the Art of Snowshoeing

Why not spend a few days snowshoeing through the ancient Caledonian pine forests with the majestic Cairngorm Mountains towering above? The technique is really easy to learn – you literally float over the snow as the shoes distribute your weight over a larger area so that your foot does not sink completely into the snow.

Snowshoeing has been around for thousands of years. And, obviously, the art has become more sophisticated over time – now it’s considered a winter sport. From the early wood-frame to the aluminum-frame models, snowshoeing has garnered quite a following throughout the world. Modern day snowshoeing is made up of casual snowshoers who hike trails for pleasure, the snowshoeing enthusiasts who trek through the backcountry, and the competitors who race.

The sport is easy to learn, virtually inexpensive (compared to other winter sports), poses little risk of injury and is a great way to exert energy during the cold winter months.

Learn to Ride

There are eight horse-riding centres across the Cairngorms National Park so no matter where you are you can take to the hills on horseback. Whatever the weather horse riding is a great activity to get you out into the great outdoors, get some fresh air and explore the area. Magnificent scenery is enhanced by abundant wildlife including red and roe deer, red squirrel, golden eagle, osprey and buzzards. Riding tuition is available at all levels and a range of ponies and horses, as well as qualified friendly staff, ensure memorable riding for children and adults.

At some of the estates you can book accommodation in a range of cosy cottages and bothys and you can even request homemade bread, jams, chutneys, home baking and a range of oven-ready meals for when you don’t feel like cooking.

Quad Biking

It may not get you fit, but what you lack in terms of shaking off the Christmas turkey thighs you will make up for in speed, adrenalin and excitement in learning to quad bike.  Quad biking is definitely a sport where you need to book an activity provider to take you onto marked and approved trails, but with plenty of providers around the Park you will not be stuck for choice. You will be taken across varied terrain, taking in spectacular views of the surrounding landscape by experienced and fully trained professional guides who are happy to stop at particularly impressive view points and tell you all about the area, the wildlife and the history along the way.

Know your birds

Don your walking boots and head to the vast expanse of any of the Estates dotted around the Park. Here you will discover the host of birds and mammals that inhabit this very special part of the UK. For an extra special experience, why not book a ranger or a guide and head into the wilds to watch a Black Grouse Lek – the courtship ritual of the rare member of the grouse family – and whilst there keep your eyes out for roe deer, curlew, lapwing and oystercatcher as well as mountain hare, brown hare, raven, song thrush, pied wagtail, grey wagtail or red deer. The professional wildlife experts will guide you to the very best places in the Park to spot the wildlife and teach you about the different species and the history of the area and also keep you on track so that none of the landscapes or habitats are inadvertently spoilt by lack of knowledge about where to go.

Mountain Biking

With 64km of off road routes throughout the Cairngorms National Park there is no excuse not to ride a bike up here!  It’s easy enough to hire bikes for all the family, hire a coach or tour guide or simply get your own bike out onto the tracks. What’s more you get lots of fresh air and the best exercise you can think of!

There are a range of great tracks suitable for all ages and abilities, but if you want to push yourself further then it’s easy enough to head out into the middle of nowhere and camp under the stars.

Alternatively, what about pushing the boundaries and spending a few hours hurtling down some of the best manmade downhill trails in the UK? Some of the activity providers also provide more technical tuition, so if you are proficient on a mountain bike, but want to take it one step further then these are the guys to show you how.

Without even scraping the surface of what is available in the Cairngorms National Park we have managed to get out and about, get some fresh air into our lungs and learn some new skills. The activity list is endless, so why not join us and try something new for 2012?

For more information on the Cairngorms National Park please go to www.visitcairngorms.com or m.visitcairngorms.com for the mobile app.

With the nominations for the Oscars and the BAFTAS being announced and the Costa Book Award winners being crowned in the first month of the year, What’s On has come over all creative! So we went in search of the arts and inspiration in the Park. Read on and you may well be surprised by how much this special place has featured in books, poems and films over the years.

Robert Louis Stevenson

The writer, Robert Louis Stevenson, author of Treasure Island and many more popular books, can be seen as one of the biggest fans of holidaying in the Cairngorms National Park! He spent much of his time in Pitlochry and Braemar and actually started writing The Sea Cook, which later became Treasure Island, during his time in these Highland villages. Yet it was his time spent in Kingussie that was immortalized in the poem “Where Go the Boats” detailing his enjoyment at sailing paper boats on the burn in the River Gynack. 

In fact, he loved the capital of Badenoch so much that he later wrote in a letter to his friend W.E. Henley in 1882 “I think I’ll send all my friends to Kingussie. I burn to write works of imagination for youth, and behold me harnessed to your pikter book and making No Way”.

Elizabeth Grant

Elizabeth Grant of Rothiemurchus in 1797, was the eldest of five children of Sir John Peter Grant, laird of Rothiemurchus. Spending her childhood mostly on the family estate and in London, she entered Edinburgh society in 1814. The family returned to Rothiemurchus in 1820 and from around 1826, Elizabeth wrote articles and stories for various magazines to supplement the family income.

After meeting her husband and moving to County Wicklow, Elizabeth wrote a private memoir of her years spent in Scotland. This was to become her most famous work – ‘Memoirs of a Highland Lady’ – edited and abridged by her niece and first published in 1897. Second and third editions followed, with a full complete edition not appearing until 1988.

Accounts of Highland life during this period, from the female perspective, are rare which makes Grant’s works one of the most important social documents of it’s time.

Centurion

Glenfeshie Estate was the filming location for the 2011 blockbuster Centurion. All actors were local extras from Aviemore, the Strathspey and around the Highlands, so keep your eyes peeled for recognisable faces.

British director, Neil Marshall penned the script and was firmly at the helm of the production and the thrilling sword and sandals thriller, set during the Roman invasion of Britain in AD 117, starred Michael Fassbender, Dominic West and Olga Kurylenko.

The film, which was originally titled Ninth Legion focused on the Ninth Legion troops that marched into Scotland from Hadrian’s Wall with over 4,000 men and disappeared. Historians dispute the fate of the legion; some believe they were disbanded, while others believe they were massacred in Germania years later. Marshall said of his take of the legend:

“It’s not meant to be historically perfect. I’m picking up on a legend and exploring it… it’s an action thriller.”

Brave

Brave, dreamed up by Walt Disney and Pixar, and filmed in 3D will be released in UK cinemas in 2012 and although was not filmed in the Cairngorms National Park, it was inspired by our mystical and enchanting Highland landscape. With a great line-up of Scots stars doing the voices  - including Billy Connolly, Robbie Coltrane, Craig Ferguson, Kevin McKidd and Kelly Macdonald playing the lead role of Princess Merida the film is set to be a sure fire hit.

It tells the story of Scottish princess and fiery redhead, Merida (voiced by Macdonald) who defies her parents by pursuing an interest in archery, but inadvertently jeopardizes her father’s kingdom in the process. Director Mark Andrews describes Brave as “an epic adventure full of action, humour and heart. There’s no more perfect a setting for this powerful tale than the dark and rugged Scottish Highlands. Imagine: magic, mystery and danger—all set within a haunting and beautiful landscape.”

Walking in the footsteps of great writers or filmmakers, and seeing landscapes and buildings through their eyes can be one of the most enjoyable and sustaining of pleasures, yet the books and films set in the Cairngorms help to continue to raise the area’s profile across the world bringing fans of the books and silver screen on pilgrimage’s to the perfect setting. 

Did you know? Elisabeth Beresford, the creator of ‘The Wombles’, named one of the characters after the National Park’s famous mountain range? Cousin Cairngorm McWomble the Terrible was introduced in the second book (The Wandering Wombles) as a Highland Womble clan chief. He appeared in the TV series when he visited the Wimbledon burrow!

For information on the area which inspired all of this go to www.visitcairngorms.com or m.visitcairngorms.com for the mobile version.

With Christmas on the horizon, thoughts at What’s On HQ invariably turn to food! Namely what locally grown produce we will be piling on our plates this festive season and the abundance of restaurants and hotels that will be serving up a host of treats on their menus.

So, to satisfy ourselves we caught up with three chefs around the Cairngorms National Park to discuss all things food and ask them how they will be celebrating the 2011 festive season. Prepare to abandon the diet until New Year!

Rebecca Ferrand is head chef at Muckrach Lodge

Chris McCall is head chef at The Old Bridge Inn

Neil Keevill is head chef at Loch Kinord Hotel

1. How did you become a chef?

NK - I was meant to go to Abertay Uni to study chemical engineering, but spent the summer working as a KP in a hotel and when the commis chef failed to appear one day I stepped in – that was 17 years ago and I have still to go to uni!

RF - Muckrach was my first experience of running a hotel with a restaurant, and a very steep learning curve indeed.  I delight in discovering new tastes, new food experiences, and I wanted to impart some of this joy in the food we served.

1. What’s your perfect Christmas day meal ?

CM -  For me, it’s breast of wild Gunknowe Loch grouse with all the traditional trimmings.

RF – With the great company of friends and family I much prefer goose to turkey. Goose is harder to cook and takes time and patience but it is really worth the effort as the meat is rich, dark, gamy and warming. Goose fat roasted potatoes with thyme and a sprinkling of sea salt makes a perfect partner with this wonderful bird. And of course finished with a Christmas pudding. I try and make mine in late August, so it has months for the flavours to meld together.

NK – Roast goose, bread sauce and all the trimmings

3. What food or smell puts you in a festive frame of mind?

NK – nice aromatic flavours like cinnamon and cloves

RF – The delightful smell of mince pies cooking in the oven with slightly puffed pasty and the wonderful tangy taste of the mince meat.  The sweet bonfire smell of cinnamon and rum and the dark alluring scent of molasses sugar. The bouquet of pine cones and mulled wine with its lovely aroma of stewed plums and of course the tangy, zesty fragrance oranges.

CM - The warm aroma of mulled wine and chestnuts roasting on an open fire.

4.What local produce is always on your shopping list?

NK – at the hotel we get our meat from small local independent suppliers – our pork and lamb come from Wark Farm in Cushnie and pure Aberdeen Angus beef comes from Cairnton Farm near Lumphanan.

CM - White mountain hare, Sikka deer – especially the haunch for smoking on our in-house smoker and the loin for searing – and Clava Brie.

RF – The venison is outstanding, so it’s always on the menu when it is available – it’s wild off the hills around Tomintoul and has dark rich meat that goes so well with Juniper, a local plant.  We serve it with the truly remarkable and very special venison haggis, which is the king of Scotland’s famous pudding. I also love the local Speyside smoked salmon with rich oaky flavours that just comes alive with a little lemon juice and a sprinkle of cracked black pepper.

5. Best Christmas Eve or Boxing Day dish?

RF- Cold goose with baked potatoes loaded with softly melting Stilton, buttery and creamy, soft velvety brie and hard pungent cheddar. Crisp crunchy homemade coleslaw; tart, vinegary pickled onions that crunch when you bite into them, soft and yummy warm bread, pickles and homemade chutney. All washed down with a good glass of red wine. Then fried Christmas pudding and mince pies with a glass of port.

NK – I love having cold turkey or goose on Boxing Day with bubble and squeak made from the left over vegetables

6. Who cooks at Christmas in your household?

CM – I normally cook but I tend to leave the mess for everyone else to clean up!

RF – Since we’ve been here and I’ve been cooking I tend to. Last year the family came up and we all had a great time!

1. Any Christmas foods you wouldn’t touch with a barge pole?

RF - Cheap, nasty mince pies – you know, 48 pies for 20p. Intensively reared deep frozen turkey that dries to dust as soon as you put it in the oven.  Tinned Christmas pudding – eugh!

8.  And lastly, what’s the best thing about Christmas in the Cairngorms?

NK – The fact that you are almost guaranteed a white Christmas!

RF – The snow, the reindeer, the scenery, the whisky, the wonderful crisp cold weather, warm fires and the smell of pine and finally the great people.

CM - The stunning scenery and being with my good friends at the Old Bridge Inn!

Like icing on a scrumptious carrot cake, little flakes of snow have already started to dust the mountaintops in the Cairngorms National Park. High street shops are stocking up on down jackets, ski poles and snowboard boots and a mere mention or photo of snow on Aviemore and the Cairngorms Facebook page prompts hundreds of “likes” and gleeful comments of expectant joy! That’s right folks winter is on its way and with it a whole host of winter sports, exciting events and celebrations.

This month, What’s On turned up the heating, settled down with a mug of gluhwein and started to watch re-runs of Ski Sunday in preparation…. oh and we researched and wrote about some of the best things to do in the Cairngorms National Park during the winter months!

Snowholing and Winter Skills

The Cairngorms, protected from Gulf Stream warmth, are universally recognised as providing the most consistent snow and ice conditions. They’re Britain’s highest mountain range, Scotland’s high arctic and home to our most permanent snow beds. However, most of all we must remember that the conditions on these stunning mountains can change in a blink of an eye and that we have to have the upmost respect for them.  That’s where winter skills come in! The most important aspect of getting out into the hills, at anytime of year but especially winter, is to be experienced and to be prepared. With plenty of courses going on around the Park there is no excuse not to be prepared when facing the mountains and the environment.

In addition, we are so lucky to have loads of experienced guides and instructors who will take you on guided walks across these stunning landscapes and teach you how to build your very own evening accommodation – a snow-hole! Made from cutting into the snow rather than building the blocks of an igloo, a snow-hole can become quite a cosy way to spend the night, but you must know what you are doing before you start to build your very own snowy Sistine Chapel!

Skiing and Snowboarding

This winter marks an incredibly important milestone for two of our resorts – Cairngorm Mountain and Glenshee. Cairngorm is celebrating 50 years of mechanical uplift and Glenshee 50 years of being an official resort. Celebrations will include a retro ski patrol day, a photo competition resulting in a memory exhibition, and a ceilidh. Both mountains have seen hundreds of thousands of people ski and board down the pistes since the winter of 1961-1962 – including Olympic champions, families happy to occupy the host of slopes and the new generation of freestyle skiers and boarders.

With over 90km of pisted runs across the National Park and heaps of off-piste terrain to explore (we’ll come to that later!) there is something for every skier and snowboarder to enjoy.

Recent research into the history of mechanical uplift at Cairngorm Mountain led me to a fascinating piece published in The Scotsman newspaper on December 23rd 1962. The reporter wrote how the ski road (finished the winter before) put paid to the three and half mile trudge up the mountain from Glenmore Lodge and that the new Cairngorm chairlift would save legs even more. Although he concedes a “walk to stretch and warm up the legs from the car park to The White Lady Shieling, the new centre of the resort, would still have to be accomplished!”

Since then, the resort has gone on to much bigger and better things and Glenshee, to mark their 50-year anniversary, will be opening their brand new chairlift this winter. It seems that as long as we have snow, there will always be a passion for snow-sports in the UK’s largest National Park.

Ski Touring

If you would, however, prefer a quieter jaunt into the wilderness than that of the busier pistes then ski touring may well be the sport for you.

If you’re a parallel skier with a decent level of fitness, it is possible to ski the original way – and experience that blissful tranquility. However, it does involve skiing up a mountain…. The idea is that you attach special grippy skins to your skis in order to prevent yourself sliding backwards. When you eventually reach the top of your mountain, you take them off and ski down. There are many guides within the Park who will lead you on a journey over untracked, unpopulated off-piste routes that penetrate the mountainscape. Many people see it as skiing as nature intended – elevating, sustainable and a great calorie burner.

So this winter, why not check out the Visit Cairngorms website for a list of activity providers and experts that run snow-holing, mountaineering, ski touring, winter skills and ice climbing classes. In addition, why not try out Nordic skiing, snow-shoeing or ski joring this winter – the winter sports list in the Cairngorms National Park is endless!

So this Halloween, sit yourself down in front of a roaring campfire with some toasted marshmallows and your copy of this month’s What’s On, as we prepare to lift the lid on some of the Cairngorms National Park’s most mysterious myths and legends…..

The Spectre of the Bloody Hand

Even the famous Sir Walter Scott wrote about the old man with the bloody hand at Loch Morlich. Despite the golden sands, and stunning views up to the Cairngorm Mountains a seemingly gigantic figure, clad in full Highland warrior dress, one hand always dripping with blood used to guard the east end of the loch. According to legend, anyone unfortunate to meet the spectre would be challenged by him to an instant contest of mortal combat. Should the challenge be accepted no bodily harm would follow, yet those too timid to stand up to the fight would face dire consequences.  Despite his gruesome appearance and hostile manner it seems that the Old Man had a kind streak when it came to animals of Rothiemurchus and stories tell of him assuming the role of guardian of deer and other wild creatures.

 Lass o’ the Lecht

The wind, rain snow and freezing winter weather of the braes of Glenlivet creates some hardy characters in the north of the Park. However, a sudden change in weather can surprise and endanger even the most prepared of walkers. One famous story involved a young 19 year old girl, Margaret Cruikshank or the ‘Lass o’ the Lecht’ as she became known. Margaret set off from Tomintoul one day in February 1860 to cross the Lecht Pass over the Ladder Hills, however a gale sprung up and with it a violent blizzard. Becoming quickly lost, Margaret decided to follow a burn she thought would lead to safety, but this mistake ended up leading her deeper into the hills where she perished. 500 men turned out to help in the attempt at rescue, but it was not until 3 months later that her frozen body was discovered in Strathdon, on the banks of the river Earnan, many miles from the Lecht. No subsequent sights of Margaret’s ghost have been reported, but she is immortalised in the famous poem ‘Lass o’ the Lecht’.

The Old Man Of Garten

Am Bodach Ghoirtean is spoken about with fear and dread in Boat of Garten and it’s surrounding areas. The Bodach was said to be a spirit that dwelt in the woods around Loch Garten and Loch Mallachy and roamed the countryside at night giving anyone he met a warning of impending death of a family member or friend. The Bodach would sometimes appear to his victims as a huge white object – faintly luminous – but always his trademark warning was a terrifying high-pitched scream.

The story of Donald Macpherson of Tulloch is famous in the area as he is the last person said to have encountered the Bodach. Soon after his meeting with the phantom, the tenant of the farm in which Donald played cards was found dead. Even more curious was the fact that at the tenant’s funeral – on passing the spot on the road where Donald encountered the apparition – the stallions pulling the funeral wagon reared up, biting and kicking and eventually upturning the hearse whilst admitting the same blood curdling scream heard by Donald a few nights before!

 French Kate

The lonely ghost of Kittie Rankie is said to walk through the halls and stairs and the surrounding lands of Abergeldie Castle in Ballater. Also known as French Kate (according to legend she was a woman of French origin who was at one time employed in the castle) it is said that she once was accused of practicing black magic and arrested soon after to be charged with witchcraft. After confinement in the castle she was eventually found guilty and thereafter taken to a local hill where she was tied to a stake and burnt for her supposed crimes. Over the years, there have been various encounters with Kittie, most notably in the mid-nineteenth century when the daughter of a local doctor, Patricia Lindsay, was happy to play in the castle cellars during the day.  However, she would never do so after dark as she recounted hearing several terrifying noises and ringing of bells clattering through the stone walls. 

The White Lady of the Rowan Tree

At a bridge in Glentruim near a sharp bend on the glen road an old rotten rowan tree used to stand. On a full moon, local people would refuse to pass the spot, horses would refuse to cross the bridge and dogs would howl in discomfort. Tradition has it that one night a local by the name of John Barleycorn agreed to go, on horseback, to the spot and attempt to cross the river. However, his horse refused to budge, so John dismounted and stumbled over the bridge, past the rowan tree where he came face to face with a white lady. What happens next nobody knows, but the next day John was found a quarter of a mile along the road, in a ditch, his face in a pool of water. His horse was grazing quietly nearby.

 Happy Halloween!

see www.visitcairngorms.com for more infor on the spooky park!