Image: Karen Costello-McFeat
Though the Romans may have mastered the art of road building, the Scots have perfected it. All across Scotland you can find tourist routes that take you through the most breath-taking scenery and past any number of historic landmarks and curiosities. Our trip to the Highlands this week has been filled with such road journeys, but the most impressive of which was certainly the Snow Road which winds through the highest elevation of the Cairngorms National Park.
I confess that we didn’t make all of it, just to the picturesque town of Ballater. We will leave the rest for our next visit.
As I am currently on holiday, this post will be a brief photo-journal of our trip along the Snow Road at the beginning of March. I hope that you enjoy travelling with me and perhaps will take a trip of your own some day.
Framing the view
One of the earliest stopping points is for the inspired art installation that literally frames the view. This witty piece, so different from its surroundings somehow makes itself at home in this ancient, slightly forbidding landscape.
Promised snow
The road builders were aware of the distractions to drivers on these routes and so provided numerous stopping points to admire the scenery. Though it’s been a mild winter and moving into spring, snow still clings to the tops of the highest mountains making a delightful alpine vista.
There were even intrepid skiers on the slopes at Lecht, but the conditions looked a little less than optimal.
The Watchers
A little further along is another art installation called The Watchers. Placed high above the valley, it is the ideal place to bird watch as eagles and other birds of prey swim through the sky. The sculptures contain benches, giving a welcome shelter from the biting winds.
A royal town
Our destination was the picture perfect town of Ballater where Queen Victoria used and improved the local station to satisfy her comfort and convenience when travelling to the nearby Balmoral. Set in a sheltered spot, the town clearly was the ideal stopping point for wealthy tourists visiting the wild landscapes of the Highlands.
The Return
Our return journey, in shifting our perspective, made it seem like an entirely new one. There were bridges and burns; chimneys built and abandoned by the road builders; quarries and bike tracks winding across the landscape. For a few hours we were immersed in the ever shifting landscape of snow capped mountains and heather clad hills and ancient woodland that is the Highlands. I suspect it won’t be long before we are back to explore some more.
What a delightful essay on part of the Highlands, Karen. In 1973, I spent a week caravanning in Ballater, walking & cycling all around the area, every day. I remember swimming in the River Dee and just how very cold it was, even in August. It’s especially encouraging to see the station, with its historic connections, refurbished. When we were there, it was empty, dilapidated and, I think, up for sale. I went inside; it was possible to go everywhere. Everything was there, just as if the staff had walked out one day after work and never returned. We also had the good fortune to be there the week of the Aboyn Games with tossing the caber, haggis eating contests, etc. and endless bagpipes playing all day. Thanks for the memories and photos. Jim.
What wonderful memories and I’m rather jealous of you catching the Highland Games! x
I have to thank you for the efforts you have put in penning this website.
I’m hoping to check out the same high-grade content from you in the future as well.
In truth, your creative writing abilities has encouraged me
to get my very own blog now 😉
Thank you and good luck with your own blog!
Hey there! This is my first comment here so I just
wanted to give a quick shout out and tell you I truly enjoy reading your articles.
Can you suggest any other blogs/websites/forums that cover the same subjects?
Thanks for your time!
Thank you and glad you enjoyed reading. Since my topics are rather eclectic, I wouldn’t know where to point you. But I do love Nick Cave’s posts
I think other web-site proprietors should take this website as an model, very clean and fantastic user friendly style and design, let alone the content. You’re an expert in this topic!
Thank you! So glad you like it!