SUMMER ARRIVES IN THE CAIRNGORMS

 

Coire an Lochain from Loch Morlich 

In just a matter of days we've gone from sub zero temperatures on the higher Cairngorm summits to balmy double figures. Warm sunsine and blue skies the last couple of days. The heat and sunshine set to continue into early next week. Suddenly it's Summer.

WEDNESDAY 26 MAY

Food time

Spring pelage

Beautiful late afternoon in the Monadhliath 

After a wet and dreary couple of days in Strathspey we enjoyed a beautiful late afternoon on Wednesday. This time of year is superb to go for a late afternoon and early evening wander into the local hills. No worries about daylight,  it doesn't get dark till 10pm. It's also a lovely time to photograph the Mountain Hare. I caught one fella feeding and having his dinner in the evening sunshine. 

THURSDAY 27 MAY

Shelterstone Crag

Forecast for a stunning day. I did have a chap booked onto a Navigation Course for today, unfortunately he had car troubles so had to reschedule his booking. I took the opportunity to go for a wander in the Cairngorms. The temperatures had rocketed.

Lots of snow on Cairn Gorm still

Ptarmigan in sunshine 

I got off paths very quickly to find peaceful hills. I also wanted to check out to see if the Dotterel had landed in the Cairngorms. I was always doubtful with so much snow still lying deep. 

Ciste Mhearad 

Deep snow

I headed round to the South side of the Cairngorms where the warm sun had melted some of the snow. By lunchtime I was down to baselayer. 

Loch A'an

Cairn Gorm from the south 

Fabulous walking and wonderful views. You needed your sunglasses for sure if walking in any snowfields. 

Loch A'an from Stag Rocks

Raven

Calling!

Around Stag Rocks There was a beautiful and noisy Raven calling for some time, echoing around the Loch A'an basin. Wonderful. There has been an increase in these intelligent corvids in the last few years on the high Cairngorms. They can predate on eggs and young ground nesting birds.

Walkers enroute to Ben Macdui 

I slowly made my way back along the Northern Corries in the late afternoon. 

Shelterstone 

A distant Ben Macdhui 

Cairn Gorm

Coire an t-sneachda 

It was still hot by 6pm. A fabulous bike ride back down the hill and Glenmore. 

Top of Alladin's 

Loch Morlich 

The beautiful Mallard

FRIDAY 28 MAY

Another glorious and very warm day. Only time for a wander down to one of our local lochs in the evening. 

Lovely evening