SCOTLAND
2025
Two years after our first trip up to Scotland together, Bob and myself returned to the Highlands in the Autumn. This time we were based west of Loch Ness for about a week, near where his son now lives. Then we spent a few days over on the east side of the Cairngorms National Park looking for Mountain Hares and Ptarmigan once again.
Blog to follow soon.
The beautiful golden colours around Loch Tarff in the late afternoon light.
The cascading River Affric surrounded by the beautiful colours of autumn.
The river leading to Garbh-uisge in Glen Affric with snow-capped mountains in the background.
The snow-capped mountains overlooking Glen Affric.
Throughout the walk we went from having sunshine to rain several times and we saw quite a few rainbows!
Wildcat at the Aigas Field Centre.
This male is too old now for the breeding programme and so is an ambassador for the species.
Blue Tit at the Aigas Field Centre.
This gorgeous little Wren kept disappearing into the gaps of the dry stone wall, reappearing a few moments later a little further along. We had such fleeting views of it.
Red Squirrel on a dry stone wall at the Aigas Field Centre.
You can tell it's a youngster because it lacks the high tufts of hair on its ears.
Marsh Tit feeding on some galls on the leaves at Rogie Falls.
Mountain Hare amongst the Heather on the slopes of the Findhorn Valley. After four hours of walking on the hills, I was extremely pleased to finally lay eyes on this one.
At first, it was a bit wary of us, but eventually it settled down and we were able to watch it preening itself. It was a lovely experience. You can see how it's starting to change into its white winter pelage.
Mountain Hare approaching me in Glenshee. At first this one ran up the hill a bit, but then it stopped, changed direction, and started working its way back down, towards me. I love the way the light is catching its left side and its eye.
Two Ptarmigan hunkered down in the rain, Glenshee. They're also starting to change colour. Their feathers will be all white very soon.
Hunkered Down.
You can see a tiny hint of red, just above the eye. In the winter it isn't prominent, as it's primarily used for courtship and territorial displays during the breeding season.
After sitting for quite some time, the Ptarmigan finally got up, ate a little and then flew off.
I love their plumage during this phase, when they're starting to change into the white winter plumage. There were several times we couldn't see them because they were blending in with the rocks so well.
Changing Colour.
Three Mountain Hares all at different stages of moulting.
Mountain Hare in the rain, blending in with the rocks at Glenshee.
On The Run.
Just like the Ptarmigan, they were well camouflaged amongst the rocks. Sometimes we didn't notice them hunkered down just ahead of us, until they suddenly ran off.
The Mountain Hares at Glenshee on the whole were very skittish. However, some were more tolerant of our approach, if we did so very slowly and remained in their sight. Nevertheless, a telephoto lens is essential for these kinds of photos, so we could keep our distance.
On our walk back down the munro at Glenshee we came across a group of about a dozen Red Grouse. I love the way their heads are all we can see, popping up above the line of rocks.
On our final day in the Highlands, before driving south, we enjoyed a lovely walk along the river near Braemar. No one else was around and hardly any cars passed by for quite a while. Up ahead of us, we saw this view of the trees and the mountain beyond, which we both loved. It's very picturesque and a lovely reminder of our lovely holiday during the autumn.
