Episode 19 (Season 2): ‘The Birds and the Trees’
Let’s immerse ourselves in nature and spend time exploring one of Scotland’s national parks: on the Snow Roads through the Cairngorms!
‘The Birds and the Trees’ is a story about a scenic road trip through the Cairngorms National Park. But it is also a story about Scottish wilderness – or rather what’s left of it.
We’re driving down the Snow Roads scenic route, from the jaw-dropping drama of the Lecht Road to the lush glens of the Royal Deeside and the high Munros in the heart of the Cairngorms.
After getting a taste of this landscape from the roadside, we visit Mar Lodge Estate and go for a walk through one of the Scots pine regeneration areas managed by the National Trust for Scotland.
After the story, I’ll tell you my top tips to make the most of your drive down the Snow Roads and things to do on the Cairngorms National Park.
Are you ready? Great – let’s travel to Scotland!
Sponsor
This episode is brought to you by Go Ape.
Book now at www.goape.co.uk and use the code WILDSCOT to receive 10% all four Scottish Go Ape sites – Aberfoyle, Peebles, Aberdeen, Dalkeith (Edinburgh).
Valid from 14th September 2021 to 30th March 2022.
Includes all activities (Treetop Adventure, Treetop Adventure Plus, Treetop Challenge, Zip Line Experience).
Useful Links
Plan your trip with my Cairngorms travel guide.
Get Andrew Painting’s book Regeneration: Rescue of a Wild Land.
Learn more about the conservation work at Mar Lodge Estate.
Minimise your impact with my responsible travel tips.
Credits
Written and hosted by Kathi Kamleitner.
Produced and edited by Fran Turauskis.
Cover Art illustrated by Lizzie Vaughan-Knight.
All original music composed by Bruce Wallace.
Additional sound effects from Zapsplat, Pond5 and SoundBoard.
All photographs by Kathi Kamleitner.
Bird sounds sourced via RSPB: Northern Wheatear, Willow Warbler, Meadow Pipit, European Stonechat.
Useful tips for the Cairngorms National Park
1) Read Andrew Painting’s book
There are some amazing books out there inspired by the Cairngorm mountains, their natural landscapes and wildlife. Andrew’s book is one of them and I highly recommend you read it. It’s called Regeneration: The Rescue of a Wild Land.
I took away so much from the book and it has really changed the way I experience Scottish landscapes. I’ll link to the book in the show notes but will also share some more mountain-inspired books to read, music to listen to and films to watch in this week’s newsletter which comes out on Thursday. You’ll find the sign-up link in the show notes too.
2) If you only have a few days, choose an area to focus on
The Cairngorms National Park is absolutely massive and as such, it can be quite difficult to see all of its areas in one trip. Driving down the Snow Roads route, you get a sense of the northern part of the park, as well as the Royal Deeside and the area around Braemar and Glenshee.
Over on the other side of the Cairngorm massif, lies Aviemore and Rothiemurchus Forest. Further southeast, you can go off the beaten path in the Angus Glens. Each area has a lot to offer, so make sure you choose one or two and explore those more in-depth.
I like staying in the Royal Deeside because you get to see a vast variety of landscapes.
3) Hike, hike, hike
To me, the Cairngorms National Park has to be experienced away from the roads. It doesn’t have to be a long or technical hike – in fact, sticking to a low-lying route is always safer if you’re new to these mountains. I hiked the Clais Fhearnaig circuit, which is about 10 miles long and is very varied.
If hiking by yourself is intimidating, hire a local guide or book an outdoorsy experience. You’ll find anything from hiring mountain bikes to going pony trekking.
4) Take your rest days
If you need a rest day from all your walking and exploring, the Royal Deeside has a lot of other things to offer. For example, you could hit the Scottish Castle Trail and visit one of my favourite castles – Craigievar. Or head over to Crathes Castle where you can climb among treetops at Go Ape.
Don’t forget to use the code WILDSCOT for 10% off all Scottish Go Ape sites!
5) Don’t stop at this national park
If you are keen to learn more about Scottish wildlife, plants and ecosystems – or just find beautiful scenery to go for a hike, there is a whole network of nature reserves waiting for you. Of course there is also the Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park, as well as two UNESCO Biospheres in Wester Ross and in Galloway.
One of my ready-made itineraries will focus on such areas where you can immerse yourself in nature. They’ll be out soon.
Pictures from the Cairngorms National Park
“The Watchers” on the Snow Roads A steep drop on the Snow Road Corgarff Castle in the Cairngorms National Park Driving along Invercauld Estate in the Cairngorms Mar Lodge in the Cairngorms Road at Mar Lodge Eastate The Linn of Quoich at Mar Lodge Estate
A hole carved in the rock at the Linn of Quoich The Linn of Quoich at Mar Lodge Estate Gle Lui in the Cairngorms National Park
Caledonian Scots Pine Red Sphagnum Moss Caledonian Scots Pine Pinewood regeneration at the Cairngorms National Park
Path at Mar Lodge Estate
Hiking the Clais Fhearnaig circuit at Mar Lodge Estate Hiking the Clais Fhearnaig circuit at Mar Lodge Estate A big bumblebee at Mar Lodge Estate A bridge in Glen Lui The Quoich Wetlands at the Cairngorms National Park
Thanks so much for this episode, I recently visited and your description is excellent to put words in feelings that I find difficult to describe and for a better understanding of the area.
Hi Ana, thank you for your kind words. I’m glad you enjoyed the story!