Cairngorm stopover

 Before heading back to the house and more decorating, we gave ourselves a couple of days off in the Cairngorms staying at the High Range Motel  ( which is very nice).

Yesterday we went up Cairngorm to try and find Ptarmigan. The funicular to the top has been closed for repair since 2018 but was supposed to be finished. Lots of helicopter activity so no Ptarmigan, but Jill had a nice walk in the chilly air. Very little snow .

We had breakfast  at the firm favourite Pine Marten cafe at Loch Morlich and then headed to Loch Garten in the search for Crested Tit. There were also hundreds of Coal Tits.

Early evening we headed to Speyside hides as Jill wanted to see badger. We saw 5 and as we avout to finish a lovely female pine marten came in so we finished much later than planned.

Today we returned to Loch Garten. It was coooollllddd. -6 according to the car.

  Jill found a Red Squirrel and there were plenty more Crested Tits and other wildlife.

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This afternoon we took a drive up the beautiful Findhorn Valley.