Trip report part 3 - Abernethy and Rothiemurchus woodlands

Nic declareed she would visit the Highland Wildlife Park, which she did and thoroughly enjoyed it too, with informative lectures and some unusual fauna: the Snow Leopard and Amur Tiger were noteworthy. Captive wild animals, however well intentioned the reasons, I am not a fan of, so I dropped Nic off and visited Abernethy forest for a reconnaissance of its potential, as sadly the wind and weather were not the best for woodland photography.

Scots Pine plantation, natural regeneration and lichen heath, Abernethy Forest

Woodland floor, Abernethy Forest

I learnt that Abernethy Forest is growing on an extensive suite of glacial deposits and landforms, has extensive areas of Scots Pine plantations of varying ages and smaller areas of older growth woodland. There is evidence of natural woodland regeneration and areas of old growth native pinewoods have a highly visible lichen and bryophyte communities, the plantations not so much.

Harsh lighting and Granny pines, Abernethy Forest

One area in particular stood out for holding some photographic promise and was worth returning to. It was soon time to head back to pick Nic up from the Wildlife Park, grab some dinner and out again for an evening trip to Rothiemurchus Forest.

Regeneration in Rothiemurchus Forest

The plan was an evening circular walk taking in Loch an Eilein, Am  Beanaidh and the views from Whitewell. A navigational faux paux on my part meant we missed the path for Loch an Eiliein, sigh, the walk was extended along the Am Beanaidh to compensate.

Am Beanaidh

We stopped to have a chat with a backpacker, who turned out to be Nigel Schofield, Chairman of the Long Distance Walkers Association. He was on his way to Aviemore and had started walking from South Wales, 8 weeks previously, on a 950+ mile quest to reach the remotest hill summits in Wales, England and Scotland. A remarkable individual and an interesting life story, if he ever publishes a book on his exploits, I'll be sure to order it.

Rothiemurchus Forest

This area of the Rothiemurchus Forest, had much to commend: views to the Cairngorm hills, native pinewoods, bog woodland, moorland, stillwater, dynamic water courses and an interesting suite of glacial landforms. Inclement weather would provide great photographic potential for some sections of watercourses draining the hills, with rain bringing out the colours.

Bog woodland, Rothiemurchus Forest

Towards sunset, cloud increased and lowered, photography ended with a view to Lairig Ghru from Whitewell. A good walk, for the varied scenery, native woodland and habitats.

The next day was an iffy forecast for the hills and trips were made to Loch an Eilein, the RSPB nature reserve at Insh Marshes and an evening visit back to photograph large woody debris in Am Beanaidh and a silver birch wood in Rothiemurchus Forest. On the way to Loch an Eiein, we stopped off for look at Loch Insh from the North Shore and upon walking out from under a railway bridge were confronted with a close up view of an Osprey! No images, but we watched it for a while as it quartered the loch into a headwind before it disappeared from view to the east. Loch an Eilein is a popular visitor attraction and once again confirmed my belief that popularity has more to do with marketing, proximity of car parking, facilities and ease of access.

It was depressing to witness at Loch an Eilein the number of dog's unleashed by their owners, despite notices asking visitors to keep their dogs under control, I would estimate responsible dog walkers were in a minority of ~25%. Interestingly we had seen plenty of Lapwings, up in the wilds of Sutherland and Nic had seen Lapwings at the Highland Wildlife Park, where dogs are not permitted outside of owners cars. Anywhere dog walkers were prevalent and we didn't see any Lapwings.

The RSPB Nature Reserve at Insh Marshes was an interesting visit, sadly the Aspen stands were not in leaf, but an interesting walk nonetheless.

River Tromie ~ RSPB Insh Marshes Nature Reserve

In the evening I revisited the Rothiemurchus forest, where we had walked the evening before, as there were a couple of areas we had walked past the night before, that hadn't been photographed as we were endeavouring to reach the car without the assistance of head torches.

The attrition of storms and floods on riparian trees

Birch and Juniper ~ Rothiemurchus Forest

On arriving back, the Mountain Weather Forecast for the next day was about as good as it gets for hill walking and thoughts turned to a trip up onto the Cairngorms plateau.