Following the freezing conditions a few weeks before Christmas the temperatures ‘improved’ and the Christmas weekend was mostly free from snow. The forecast for the week included a good chance of snow for Tuesday, and with some flurries in the morning I thought I’d venture out in the car to head for Glen Cannich with expectations of snowy loch reflections - later realising how over optimistic I was!
The road conditions were good at home but after heading through Beauly and turning up the Cannich road things started to change.
The trees were laden with snow and reminded me of last winter and an experience of the haw frost on one trip - beautiful.
Once I reached Cannich and seeing the conditions of the road I decided against the steep ascent that takes you from Cannich into the Glen. I didn’t have much hope of making it so headed onwards to Glen Affric. The road conditions didn’t look at all hopeful in that direction either as I found out!
It looked as though a snow plough had been up the Glen Affric single track road leaving wide lane of compressed snow - but it didn’t help the traction and only a few miles into the ascent, the road conditions worsened and I decided I needed a 4-wheel drive not a large 2-wheel drive estate car for the journey!
I turned around and headed back - stopping on a number of occasions to get out and grab some photos…
The scenery was stunning as always, accentuated by the weather:
The jewel of this part of the journey was noticing a woodcock in the verge on the side of the road hunting for food and finding some in the snow! I stopped the car and after swapping lenses was able to get some reasonable photos from the drivers seat with the passenger side window wound down - not seeming to phase the bird at all!
The Cannich - Beauly road was getting worse by now - I think most of the journey had been around 25mph and testing the brakes emphasised the need for caution rather than speed!
These hardy (and dangerous looking!) sheep in a field by the road didn’t seem too fussed with the weather!
I decided to take a detour home that would lead me along the back road to Kiltarlity (near to where we used to live).
More extreme caution was needed on this route! But it brought the rewards of being able to stop at the waterfall that I’ve visited in the past.
And a Christmas ‘postcard’ photo!
A snow laden tree was the final photo of the trip before reaching Kiltarlity and the route home. If definitely had been worth a few hours out in the car.