Recently I have been doing lots of book reviews on this blog. Although I started out by writing about a lot of my personal experiences it seems recently the only topics I have been inspired to write about are books, computer games and films. However I feel like I would like to explore my local area a bit more and learn more about the local history and culture in depth. I feel that is the subject that people will be more interested to read about on my blog. I work in a tourist shop in the Victorian market (as I have already said on my blog) and from interacting with tourists from all over the world, that is what sells Inverness and the Highlands.

So, yesterday (Sunday the 12th) I decided to travel out to Aviemore to meet my friend Harris who is a wildlife enthusiast and has his own car (which helps for getting around the Highlands). I got up early on the day. Did some household chores before 7am. I then walked to the train station and found it to be shut. The only cafe open at that time on a Sunday was Xoko on Bridge street which was bustling with people (seemingly tourists). I ordered my usual, a latte, and sat down on a bench shared with an elderly man who had a small notepad that he was writing on. He had a light waterproof coat on and had a sort of stubbly beard with grey hair and he was thin and of medium height. I might have caught his accent when he gave me permission to sit down beside him (I was being polite) and I thought he was American both from his appearance and from the slight bit of speech he gave me. He looked like a freelancer sort of character, maybe even a writer or a photographer. He looked organised as he had a small canvas bag that he put in his notepad when he was finished writing on it. His scribbling beside me in that moment actually inspired me to pick up one of my spare notepads from my flat and take notes for a blog post later. So I returned home to get my notepad and a basic pen. I then went to Tesco’s and stocked up on sandwiches for the days activities. Harris had said I should take some and also warm clothing and a hat.

Packed with my supplies, I then walked back to Inverness train station. It was now open and with lots of people in it, sitting on the public seats. I looked at the announcement boards and saw my train had a bus replacement service. There was some instructions for where I was to get the replacement bus but I wasn’t exactly sure so I asked one of the orange Scotrail staff behind the ticket barriers. The man helpfully directed me to the very small carpark between Eastgate shopping centre and the train station. I also inquired why the trains were not running, for this blog, and he said there were ‘engineering works’ for three weekends. I’m not sure whether he meant all the weekdays in between as well or just on the weekends. There was only bus replacement between Inverness and Perth, not any further south. 

I then took some notes on my notepad before going to find the bus service. I boarded the bus and there was only one other passenger, an older American lady. The bus was to travel by the famous A9 road which goes from Inverness to Perth. The road is partly a dual carriageway and partly a single two lane road. The subject of the full dualling of the A9 is a subject of much local frustration and anger at the government and local authorities. There are often newspaper articles in the Inverness Courier which refer to the progress (or lack of). Politicians often make announcements on the subject in local and national news. Locals often complain that the A9 is Scotland’s most dangerous road (the stretch between Perth and Inverness). As I was sitting on the bus I could see there was lots of work ongoing in some parts of the road. Orange cones directed the traffic along some of the way and there were flattened mud areas on either side of the road, and also mechanised vehicles for construction work.

When I arrived in Aviemore I got off the bus and noticed there was a basic local market set up with stalls just opposite the train station. I had a look around and saw some woodwork ornaments and various gift items such as candles, artisan soap, crafted jewellery and a photographer’s stall with postcards and pictures.

My friend Harris then arrived and I got in his Renault Clio and we drove to Findhorn Valley. The weather at this point was fantastic for the autumn, the sky was clear and the sun was even shining and warming up the slightly chilly temperature. Harris had come well prepared with two sets of binoculars and a telescope on a tripod for better viewing of distances.

The scenery was really quite beautiful with Findhorn river flowing through the valley. During our drive through Findhorn valley we encountered a few buzzards, a red squirrel jumping along the road, a partridge, many pheasants with their colourful appearance. But the most interesting sighting was that of a golden eagle (a bird only found in Scotland), quite far in Findhorn valley. There were lots of people with binoculars in that particular viewing place. Harris was very knowledgeable about the movement behaviour of the golden eagle (to tell it from a buzzard for instance). Golden eagles are actually quite rare birds to see. I have lived in Scotland most of my life and only ever saw one other golden eagle in the wild like that, that was on the island of Mull I believe.

At this point Harris decided we would stop at a nearby cafe, Taste of the Tomatin. I ordered broccoli soup and a soft drink and Harris got a full Scottish breakfast. It was around 1pm at this point and from our window seat in the cafe we could see the two viaducts against the hills and grassland. Harris and I discussed his next trip to the Falkland islands. He explained some of the history around the Falkland war and I told him a bit about Chinese history (around the opening up of China in the 90s) when he asked about my travels. We left the cafe at around 2pm and headed to Carr bridge, a place I had passed many times on the train but never visited. Harris explained the place was named after a very old bridge that is now not in use and only a ruin. He pointed out this bridge was we came to the village centre by the petrol station and the river. There is a modern road bridge beside the historic bridge now. Harris told me there is a globally famous event called the World Porridge Championships held every year in Carr Bridge and there is a prize of a golden spurtle to the winner.

We headed to a wooded area called Dalhaittnach and looked for some crested tits (the small bird). We were not long in looking when Harris honed in on one’s distinct bird call. 

Around this time I was getting a bit tired and we decided to drive back, via Granton, to Aviemore. We managed to get to Miele’s for a milkshake before I got the 1730 bus back to Inverness. I arrived safe and sound back at Inverness bus station and walked home.

I often complain about Scotland and Inverness, but yesterday I felt content and happy on the drive back home. And it wasn’t even summer! Harris’s company was excellent and I learned lots of new things. Yesterday’s trip reminded me how much there still is to discover in my own part of Scotland.