Nice way to start the day

[James59]

Immediately after booking a night in Braemar, I came on to this website and discovered a hike that started practically right outside my B&B. So when there, I got up early in the morning, drove out to the parking lot next to the duck pond and set out. I was surrounded by thick fog/cloud for the first 10 minutes or so, but then hiked into beautiful blue sky. As is my preference, I was the only one on the trail, apart from the many rabbits. As I ascended, I saw a few large hills to the north that had patches of snow—presumably the higher peaks in the Cairngorms. It didn't take long to reach the summit, where I snapped some photos, and then headed back down. When I reached the parking lot, I was happy to see someone walking a black Lab. Not only because Labs are a Canadian dog, but also because it was five years to the day after my own beloved black Lab died.