Snapshots of the Cairngorms National Park

If you’d asked me a couple of months ago to name my favourite national park, I’d probably have been torn between Snowdonia, the Yorkshire Dales and the Lake District. But now?

I’d say the Cairngorms National Park, sans doute.

We may have only spent eight days there, but in that time it leapfrogged its way to top spot.

Gorgeous glens? Tick. Picture-perfect lochs? Tick. Rugged, boulder-strewn plateaus? Abundant wildlife? Bubbling, crystal-clear mountain streams? Tick, tick, tick.

The Cairngorms National Park had all of this and you could walk a fair stretch without seeing another soul. Bliss. I’ll be sharing posts on the various hikes we did over the coming weeks, but for now here are eight of my favourite photos from our trip to whet your appetite . . .

Allt Mor, Glenmore

Gleann Laoigh Bheag (I’ve not got the first idea how to pronounce that. Just as well this is a blog, not a vlog.)

Another night, another bothy: Hutchison Memorial Hut

Loch Etchachan, en route to Ben Macdui (Beinn Macduibh)

Capercaillie, spotted near Bynack More

Loch Callater

Allt Coire Fionn, Glenshee

And last, but by no means least, a little lochan near Creag a’ Choire Dhirich