History: Aviemore to Elgin

Morning in Aviemore. Historic Speyside Railway (Post Code PH22 1PY – See Speyside Railway Website for details) which leaves for Boat of Garten and Broomhill and then return. This is a trip along 10 miles of track behind a steam locomotive in vintage carriages through beautiful scenery along the River Spey.

Then it’s on to the old A9 heading North through Carrbridge. Have a quick stop to have your photo taken by the Old Carr Bridge. Just the arch remains from this old pack horse bridge which was built in 1717. Then its east along the A938 to join the A9 going North towards Inverness. Before reaching Daviot turn left onto the B851 to Inverarnie. Here is the Gask Ring Cairn. This is a ring cairn constructed around 4000 years ago. Ring cairns consist of an inner and outer ring of closely set kerbstones, with small stones piled between them. Outside the cairn at Gask there are 3 remaining standing stones although at least 5 others were once present. This arrangement has inspired the standing stones in the hit series Outlander providing a portal for time travel to the 1700’s.

Next its North to the atmospheric City of Inverness. If you arrive early enough and get booked into your accommodation there might be time to enjoy the Ness Island Walk. Only a short distance from the city centre this walk takes you around a group of islands in the middle of the River Ness. The islands are connected by suspension bridges built in Victorian times.