Day 13, Shimmering in Pitlochry

Having stayed at Huntly for the two extra days we now had to make our way down to Pitlochry in one day. We had tickets booked for The Enchanted Forest and I had no intention of missing that. We had around 110/120 miles to drive, nothing too exacting but it would have been difficult had the wind speed remained high.

The weather behaved perfectly.

From Huntly we were into familiar territory. We took the road to Dufftown and onward to Aberlour. Morayshire had its best autumnal colours on and the scenery was of course stunning all the way. It was good to see “The Ben” once again.

We stopped at Ballindalloch to fill with LPG. This was our local shop and filling station when we lived on Speyside, about a four mile run out. Doesn’t sound much unless you have to do it by bike when the car has conked out. It’s hilly country.

A view from Ralia

A view from Ralia

Past Grantown-on-Spey there was cloud gathering over the Cairngorms but we continued our drive in the sun, stopping at Ralia for coffee and those amazing lemon and white chocolate muffins.

Muffin!

Muffin!

At Pitlochry we were stunned to be able to appropriate one of the four Camper Van spaces in the car park. The town was extremely busy. We did a little shopping in one of the amazing whisky shops in town (we purchased rum!) and then grabbed a Chinese Takeaway before going out for our evening at The Enchanted Forest. It rained. Heavily. So we took our coats etcetera when we went out.

Parked!

Parked!

Of course, it did not rain again and we were encumbered all evening. It was a wonderful evening though. Really happy that we went.

I haven’t sorted through all the photos yet so I’ll just use one here and write up the outing separately later.

Green Man

Green Man

After the Enchanted Forest we drove down to the Britstop at  Bankfoot and slept there overnight.

Days 9 – 12, at Huntly

Monday and Tuesday were planned for Huntly Castle Caravan Park, a site that we enjoyed very much indeed. The weather remained beautiful and there was much walking by the river and elsewhere. The weather however was promising a turn for the worse, with gale force wind and heavy rain. We swiftly booked a further two nights rather than face the elements at Glenshee.

Huntly Castle

Huntly Castle

Unfortunately even with two extra nights, I still did not find time to fit in a trip around the castle.

Huntly did endear itself to me and I am sure that we shall return, not least because Mr Snail will have a follow up appointment at the ARI in six months’ time. The hourly bus service leaves from a stop very close to the site and takes a little over an hour, dropping off right outside the hospital. It is very convenient.