New Year's walk around the loch

[BlackPanther]

We had big hopes for New Year's time but... Weather really disappointed us. Instead of climbing snowy slopes we had to opt for something much shorter and less demanding. Loch an Eilein walk has been on my list for a while, and it's only a short drive from Inverness. It's a great place to go for the whole family and I'd recommend it to anyone, especially on a nice sunny day. There's a small charge for the parking but apart from that, only pleasant surprises
Well, we didn't have much luck with Mother Nature As we arrived, we caught maybe 15 minutes of decent sunshine, the rest of the walk was done in rain, turning to snow at times. Still we carried on along the loch, tried to enjoy time outdoors as much as it was possible.

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"Piece the resistance" of this route is Loch an Eilein Castle, a picturesque ruin situated on a tiny island. Shame it can only be viewed from shore...
The castle from the loch shore near Visitor's Center:

Close up:

Looking across the loch, still some whiteness on the summits of the Cairngorms:

The ruins again, with background views:


The last moments before rain arrived, it felt more like autumn than winter:

There are many routes and paths to explore on Rothiemurchus Estate and I imagine spending the whole day wandering about these woods and hills. Definitely have to come here again, maybe with bikes...
The rain eventually stopped when the sun was setting...

Clouds moving over hilltops:

Too cold to take a plunge...

So, my first 2012 walk ticked off Now I'm waiting for opportunities to climb my first 2012 mountain, but first... First it's time to tackle post-Christmas kilograms Wish me good luck with that

[quoman]

Hi blackpanther

looks a lovely wee walk and the photos are superb the castle pics are magic

[Huck Finn]

Thanks for the report & Pics, This brings back memories, My mum was sent to her aunties during the war, which is a small cottage just up from where your last photo was taken. I went up for visits during the 80s & 90s, I loved it. My mums cousin died a few years ago now, I always wonder what had happened to the cottage, it was owned by the estate, often thought it would have ended up as a holiday cottage.

[Johnny Corbett]

Have you not considered climbing Sub 2000s? There are some little crackers up Inverness way

[Graeme D]

Have you not considered climbing Sub 2000s? There are some little crackers up Inverness way

Indeed, as I have just discovered. Ord Ban immediately next to Loch an Eilein looks to have a lot to commend it as well.

[BlackPanther]

Have you not considered climbing Sub 2000s? There are some little crackers up Inverness way

Indeed, I have. During last 4 years we've been up a few Marylins, just never bothered to tick them on the map. We considered climbing Ord Ban as it is a good viewpoint over the loch, we just run out of time on Sunday. Nothing lost, though. Another point added to my to-do list.

Thanks for all the comments