Travelled: 71 kilometres from Nairn to Grantown-on-Spey, both in Scotland.
Visited: Fort George, free on our membership. Cairngorms National Park.
Stayed: Wildcamping on the Spey, less than a mile from Grantown. Free, toilet in town. N57.31482, W03.61666
After a quiet evening on the marina in Nairn, we wake to a cool and misty morning. The tide is out again, at least 3-400 metres. Some early risers are out with their dogs, enjoying a walk and a wet smelly dog afterwards. I go for a little re-con mission and find the toilets are now un-locked. Spotting the harbour master is in his office, I go over for a chat and he tells me I can re-fill with water. I love Nairn already.
To celebrate we go for a walk up town and check out the main street shops, pick up some bread rolls for lunch and some pasties (maybe for dinner tonight) from a very nice bakery on our way back.
Walking up to Nairn from the harbour, which was originally known as Fishertown.
Another ornate centre piece in Nairn town square.
We service the Hymer as we exit the marina and return to the A96 for a short distance before again turning for Fort George…
Fort George has stood guard on the Moray Firth about 10 miles east of Inverness since 1748. Still an active military training establishment.
Armed with a map and an audio guide, we cross the drawbridge and first casement into the fort.
Lots of cannon and mortar line the old casements (popular area for seagulls). The site is huge, the commentary interesting. The fact that we had visited the Culloden Battlefield the day before, links the Jacobite rebellion and its French supporters with the construction of Fort George.
Various rooms are made up as they may have appeared during the 18th century. You get a real feeling for how hard life was.
Of the many beautiful old buildings at Fort George our favourite was the Chapel. Built in 1769, the chapel marked the finish of a 20 years of construction.
Inside the chapel.
So our visit to Fort George concludes, a very interesting morning.
So we start the drive south into the Cairngorm National Park. We toured through here several years ago, our only plan being to meet up with Ian and Jo at Grantown-on-Spey. The Cairngorms vary from a harsh mountain to scenic glens.
We arrive in Grantown after lunch, met up with Jo and Ian and set about finding a wildcamping spot.
From a wild camping perspective it looks pretty good on the River Spey.
So after getting ourselves parked and settled we head off to the walk the glen along the Spey. 8 kilometres and a swim later we settle into a social evening…
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Travelled: From Wildhill, England to St-Quentin, France (via Calais-Dunkirk) Visited: Ramsgate in England, Bailleul, Fromelles and St-Quentin in France Stayed: Parking area […]
