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Although the weather forecast was not great (rain, 3-9 degrees), Wes and I decided to brave it camping in the Cairngorms. And we’re so glad we did! We had hardly a spec of rain and instead three days of blue skies! Yes it was cold, but bearable when the sun is out. We set up camp next to the fast-flowing burn at the Rothiemurchus Estate and on Saturday we set off on a 15 mile hike up into the Lairig Ghru to the Pools of Dee (where the River Dee starts) and back to Whitewells. We have been wanting to hike into Lairig Ghru for a while, but our previous attempt was foiled by temporary terrible map reading skills. It was a good hike and worth it when we reached the ‘summit’ where we could see the pools on one side, and the track we took on the other. We definitely earned our venison casserole at the Cairngorm Hotel on Saturday night. On Sunday we woke early to take part in the RSPB’s Caper Watch, we were running a bit late when we arrived at 7.10am (started at 5.30!), but we managed to see our first capercaillie doing it’s lekking display. Stroke of luck for us, as the previous day they had 50 people turn up and didn’t spot a single bird! Yesterday we packed up camp and had a quick 2 hour hike around Loch an Eilean and a spot of lunch overlooking the mountains before coming back to the city. Just a pity we left our cameras and my phone at home so we have no evidence! I’ll try to get a pic off Wes’ phone tonight, but not sure if it will work.