Autumn in Cairngorms National Park, Scotland

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Strathspey is a wide valley (which is what strath means) lying in the north of the Cairngorms National Park in the Scottish Highlands. The strath is a mixture of conifer plantations, remnants of natural woodland, marsh, low moorland, rough pasture, and farmed fields, through which the river Spey winds its way and above which rise the high Cairngorms. In autumn the woods of Strathspey are spectacular as the birches, aspens, larches, and rowans turn gold and red. In 2008 the colors were even more impressive than usual, the trees glowing with light and brightness. On several day hikes near my home in the strath, I took these photos of that wonderful autumn.

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Viewing 7 posts - 1 through 7 (of 7 total)

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Dec 30, 2008 at 6:05 pm #1232929

Addie Bedford
BPL Member

@addiebedford
Locale: Montana

Companion forum thread to:

Autumn in Cairngorms National Park, Scotland

Dec 30, 2008 at 7:39 pm #1467248

JASON CUZZETTO
BPL Member

@cuzzettj
Locale: NorCal - South Bay

Wow. That was a great photo essay. I love the way the colors were presented, light to dark. It is almost like your pictures worked their way through the day to the sun set (night fall). Great way to capture the imagination. Bravo!!!

I am a visual learner. What can I say.

More like this please. Maybe even Photo Essays that teach you to do some cool outdoor activity.

Again, way cool.

Dec 30, 2008 at 9:49 pm #1467263

Ken Thompson
BPL Member

@here
Locale: Right there

Thanks for the fall color! We don't get much of that here in my neck of the woods, just 70 shades of green. Makes me want to go to Scotland again even more. Good job.

Dec 31, 2008 at 3:29 am #1467277

Tom Clark
BPL Member

@tomclark
Locale: East Coast

Chris,
Wonderful photos and even better descriptive comments about what we are seeing (or not seeing, depending on how experienced we are) in the photos. I'm partway through your Backpacker's Handbook, and enjoy its almost lyrical tones.
Tom

Jan 2, 2009 at 4:40 am #1467547

Gerry B.
BPL Member

@taedawood
Locale: Louisiana, USA

Chris,
Thank you for your photo essay. Having had a forestry education many years ago, it was especially interesting to read your tree and plant identification…it made your beautiful photos much more meaningful.

Jan 2, 2009 at 5:54 pm #1467645

Norman Bradley
Member

@normanb
Locale: New York

Thanks Chris. I went through part of the Caringorms in August, though not on foot. I was told this summer was one of the coldest and wettest in years. I found the trip across the North Sea to the Orkneys also quite cold. How did you find the weather and what equipment and clothing did you bring to prep for the trip?

Jan 3, 2009 at 7:47 am #1467711

Chris Townsend
BPL Member

@christownsend
Locale: Cairngorms National Park

Thanks for all your comments. I appreciate them.

Norman, the Cairngorms are my local hills so I test a wide variety of gear here. In general gear needs to be wind and waterproof. Last summer was exceptionally wet and windy, making it a good time for testing rain clothing and tents.
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