Glen Ey

January in Scotland tends to be the most stormy month with high winds and lots of rain. Not so great for getting outside and, as we discovered after battling particularly high winds, not so great for driving a large van!

But this weekend we decided we had had enough of hibernating indoors and thought we’d go away even if we ended up chilling in the van and watching the storms from our window. We left home in torrential rain much to the amusement of our neighbours and headed North to Braemar.

We saw a break in the weather mid morning and decided to cycle toward Lin of Dee and up the Glen Ey valley. The route was a mixture of minor roads and gravel tracks but in at this time of year that is ideal as it is less muddy and you can travel faster on the bike allowing you to get back before it gets dark – 4:30pm at this time of year.

Glen Ey was beautiful, although some might say “bleak” in the winter light. The track takes you about 8k from the road up to the top of the valley before vanishing at an old ruined house which must have been amazing in it’s day. Lots of puddles to splash in. The rivers were overflowing but that made the waterfalls spectacular.

When we got back, dried out and warmed up, we spent a lovely evening listening to music and chilling out as planned. Next ….. the drive home in the sleet and snow ….. wish us luck.