Having managed to link up with snow in the Lakes on only one of six attempts, this year Andy and myself decided that perhaps we should give Scotland a go. Unfortunately we could only fit in a long weekend. However, all was not lost as we remembered the regular circulars from
Mountain Innovations advertising accommodation and car hire for very reasonable prices. This coupled with EasyJet’s ridiculously cheap flights (35 pounds return with 20 pounds going toward airport tax) meant that the Cairngorms it was. A few phone conversations later and we were booked. A few more phone calls ensued and Ant was added to the party.

We’d chosen an early flight from Stansted and arrived in Edinburgh at 9am. As we were bussed to the car hire people we joked that we would probably be travelling in a SMART car. Shouldn’t joke, we had a Daewoo Matiz, my rucksack alone filled the boot but with seats folded and some 3D puzzle solving we were on our way to the Cairngorms. Provided we didn’t try to overtake going up hill, the tin can served its purpose and two and a half hours later we pulled up at the accommodation. Unfortunately no snow, well not down in Boat of Garten. Following a quick cuppa, we donned boots and headed off to Abernethy Forest to stretch the legs. 10kms later we arrived back, busily discussing the possibilities for a full day on the hill tomorrow. The evening meal was good home cooking with a twist; have you ever tried Chocolate and Chilli cookies?

Well it had to be Cairngorm, so after wheezing up hill in the Matiz we disembarked in the car park. Blinking, we did a double take; Plas Y Brenin minibuses get everywhere. Ant and Andy blasted away up the hill with me puffing in their wake. It was bright and very breezy but clouds were on the way. Soon we were amongst the skiers heading toward the restaurant. The wind had been increasing in intensity to the extent that when you let your walking pole dangle loose, the wind took it almost to the horizontal. Interesting! Eventually we arrived amongst the skiers and located the path from the restaurant toward the summit. The cloud level had dropped and we disappeared into the cloud and it started to snow, wonderful. A few minutes later we located the weather station at the summit, it looked very impressive covered in rime ice. Eventually we managed to brew ourselves a hot chocolate and retreated to the comfort of a bivi tent to have some lunch. After a quick discussion we decided that our navigation skills were lacking and so we reversed our route, our footprints from the trek up total obscured by the fresh snow. After playing dodgems with the skiers and snowboarders we wound our back to Aviemore and a quick gear fondle.

After more excellent food from Rebecca, we headed to a local hotel for a few bevies. Of course I had to sample a Scottish brew, …IronBru. At least the others had the decency to try a few whiskies, although Ant couldn’t see the appeal in Laphroaig.

The following morning we awoke to a winter wonderland; snow, sun and blue skies…perfect. We planned a ridge walk Meal a Bhuachaille, and outlier to the Cairngorm plateaux, so headed of the park close to Glenmore. After Ant parked the car with a hand brake turn we once again donned the four season boots. Well Ant and I did, someone else had forgotten to put their boots in the car! (Gratuitous Mickey taking is acceptable for 6 months or more.) Never mind, it gave Ant a chance to practice his rally driving skills on a short cut back to collect the offending (or should that be offended) items.

Now, all with boots we head of for the Ryvoan Bothy. It soon became apparent we had had a fair dump of snow, 7 or 8 inches (that’s 18 to 20 cm for the youngsters). Much to our surprise we soon bumped into a few cross-country skiers, making the most of the opportunity. The
views were wonderful, and as we chatted away we were soon at the bothy. After a quick brew we headed for the first summit of the day, passing some youngsters who had been using their survival bags to sledge down part of the hillside. As we approached the summit the cloud drew in, but we soon located the summit shelter and stopped for another brew and debated the unusual fillings in the sandwiches. The visibility dropped to 20 metres, but just as we started getting ready to move on the cloud cleared and we could now see for 50 miles. What a contrast. We followed the ridge to its conclusion and headed back toward the valley, soaking in the views as the sun and the clouds brought the landscape to life.

The evening meal with some folks about to go snow holing with Andy (the other half of Mountain Innovations), was full of friendly banter with our Andy the unfortunate brunt of the jokes, diverting flak from one of the other guys that had found himself out on the winter hills
with no hat or gloves (perhaps it’s something in the water?!) After an amble around a nearby lake the following morning we headed back to the airport, bristling with heavily armed policemen and women. It was a wonderful break. As usual the company was great, and Rebecca
and Andy “did us proud” with a warm welcome, good food and lots of helpful advice. I’m certainly looking forward to a return trip next winter, but perhaps I’d better not book the trip to coincide with my wedding anniversary…oops.