Slightly worried about tonights parking spot.

 Before leaving this morning both fancied a walk along the beach again. Took Toffees ball this time and discovered just how high she could jump.

l

 More of a travel day today, although we did have a brief stop at RSPB Spynie near Moray. We were still after those Red Squirrels and the write-up in the RSPB book stated feeding stations were next to the car park. Driving the mile to the centre along a pot holed gravel path with no passing places, was a little disconcerting. Thankfully nothing was met on the way in or on the way out. We stopped by the feeders for well over 30 minutes, hoped to see a sign of red bounding down through the trees before coming to the conclusion that the squirrels wouldn't come down to feed until everyone had gone. A short walk took us to Loch Spynie with a hide already full to capacity with twitchers. I managed to squeeze in between two burly men with ultra long camera lenses, while Ian stayed at the back with the dog. Suddenly the door opened and a chap rushed in to say an Otter had been seen. Great excitement and all cameras pointed toward the reeds where we waited in great anticipation. And that was all that happened! It didn't appear, well with our luck I could have told them all not to even bother to get cameras ready. Oh, how that would have made our day.

One big tree root ball.

 

We stayed there until after lunch before heading off toward the Loch of Strathbeg, a good couple of hours drive hugging the coastal road in places, We never made it that far, time was getting on and as this was another RSPB nature reserve, thought it better visited tomorrow. Looking for a place to overnight, driving through Fraserburgh and Ian remembered seeing a spot on the park4night app. It was right by the water front with the lighthouse towering above. The parking area is mainly gravel and the area looks a little unkempt. Two other motorhomes had arrived, stayed a while and then left. Maybe they feel a bit vulnerable here. Cars have come and gone and wacky baccy lingered on the air. We do have a back-up plan if things go pear shaped, go to the lighthouse car park. We had already walked up to it and found nothing to forbid overnight parking. Hopefully we won't need to move.

 Later on when things had gone quiet, a glance out of the window revealed what we first thought to be a buoy. So glad I decided to take a photo 'cos it turned out to be a seal!

And wildlife,

Confronted by a barrier

Sunday 21st

Marvellous walks around Loch Garten, plenty of pine trees, great foraging place for the red squirrel. Leaving MB before 9 am, had high hopes of creeping up on these illusive gritters. No-one about to frighten them off, well other than Toffee of course, and she was too interested in sniffing every blade of grass on the walk! Anyway, not a sign of a squirrel or for that matter, any birds at all!

 10 am on the dot we were outside the kiosk waiting to go in. Members cards shown and as the first ones in we took our time on the short walk to the main centre. Bird feeders are everywhere and loads of birds flying about. Mostly Chaffinch, a few Coal tits and Blue tits but once again, not a sign of the Crested tit. Exciting news greeted us though, the male Osprey had returned to the nest at 8.30 am, didn't stay long and took off 10 minutes later. Hmm, exciting for the staff but frustrating for us!

Having left Toffee on her own, (no dogs allowed at the centre) I worried after an hour that we may well come back to a wrecked motorhome so abandoned all hope of seeing the tit or squirrel and headed back. Crept up to MB, looked in the window only to find her up on the seat looking out of the window. All furnishing intact, nothing destroyed. If it wasn't for her being nervous when people approached suddenly, she would be the perfect dog.

It was on the way to Findhorn that we came across Castle Roy. (Red Castle) It's a 12th century fortress built by the Clan Comyn on a small glacial mound to the north of the village of Nethy Bridge. In 1420 the whole area came under the stewardship of the Clan Grant who are still the clan of this area today. It was thought the name of 'Red' came from Red Comyn who was killed by Robert the Bruce

 Right next to the ruins was a very fat Highland cow. 

Lunch was had before setting off for Findhorn. Not having done this part of Scotland before the plan was to follow the East coast eventually ending up going inland to at Falkirk. Another park4night had been found by the coast, we pulled up expecting to just find a space and park but instead was confronted by a barrier across the car park. Motorhomes were permitted at a cost of £15 but pre booking was essential. It was getting late, there was no other overnight spot in the near vicinity and a debate started as to what to do. A phone number on the board stating if there was a problem with the barrier to contact them, hmm a way to get in. As spaces were still available, and with Ian making a payment online, the lady on the end of the phone raised the barrier and allowed entry. This site also has all facilities something we hadn't expected.

 

First thing was suss out the area. What a fabulous beach and Toffee was in her element.

Rain was never far away though, so the walk was shorter than we wanted. Never mind, we will rectify that tomorrow if the weather conditions are favourable.

MB is behind the hedge.

Next to the brown van

And wildlife

Sculptures that make you think.

 Yesterday we found a car park in the Forestry and Land Scotland and had hoped to overnight there. Some of their Stay the Night initiative ran last year but not all of their site permit overnighting. This one didn't hence the stop at the riding centre yesterday. What we did see on a notice board was a sculpture trail, looked both intriguing and a good place to take Toffee for a walk. With that in mind we l had left for Kingussie. 

The plan nearly changed this morning because of the weather again. More torrential rain staying with us until well after 9 am. By the time we had down the unpleasant loo emptying and watered up, the sun had appeared and so the sculpture trail was on again.

Now I found it fascinating, although some of the sculptures were dark and foreboding and many had toppled over and were in a state of decay. The sculptor Frank Bruce decided to depict parts of history that were depressing. This from Frank Bruce the sculptor  

 This series of works depicts icons of patriotism and the tragedies of world poverty. This may sound like an odd thing to encounter in a forest setting but there is something deeply affecting about these works.

Here are just a few of the sculptures seen on the mile walk.

The next plan was to visit the nearby RSPB centre at Insh Marshes, thought we may as well go and have a look. Hmm, the write-up about it on the web made it sound brilliant and had we come in Spring and early summer, it probably would have been, today though was a real disappointment. Two hides, neither had any wildlife to see at all and the hide that overlooked the marshes with spectacular views of the mountains was closed due to a fire earlier in the year.

 

How did she get behind that?

One place we were sure to see birds and possibly a red squirrel was another RSPB site at Loch Garten. We arrived mid afternoon, spent a good hour in the visitor centre, saw plenty of birds but not the one I was after, the Crested Tit, and no sign of a squirrel. Heard the news that the Ospreys had left the nest only three days previously, shades of when we were here in 2019. Then we missed seeing the Ospreys by a day! 

 

Gone!

Spent plenty of money there though. Bought two midge nets to wear over hats, an anti midge spray because mine was all but used up and the most expensive thing, a monocular! 

As members an overnight stay was permissible and the suggestion that we turn up as soon as it opens at 10 am, it might be a good time to see the squirrels to the feeders. That's the plan then and fingers crossed for the morning.

I wouldn't want to meet this on the narrow Scottish lanes!

And wildlife today,