Home from Home

Today we're set to wend our way down the notorious (for accidents) A9 to David and Laura's in Perthshire. Still, I'd planned several stops to break up the journey for both driver and passengers. Once more we have more dramatic scenery this time provided by the Cairngorms which still had traces of snow on them. Gave Aviemore a miss but stopped just outside Kingussie to visit the imposing 18th century Ruthven Barracks. http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/kingussie/ruthvenbarracks/  It was quite windy which added to the atmosphere of the place and one can only imagine how unhappy the 120 English troops garrisoned there would have been. One funny feature is the area half below ground level had holes through which to fire muskets, presumably into the ankles of passers by! Seeing the Architect's error, they were later closed up.
From bellicose actions to peaceful ones in the space of 10 minutes which is all it took us to get to the Highland Folk Museum on the outskirts of Newtonmore and what an interesting visit it was. www.highlandfolk.com Made up of buildings (school, chapel, farm, post office, shop etc) transported from all over the highlands, crafts, other rural and domestic activities, we weren't able to see it all. The school from the 1930's had a teacher in situ who explained what it would have been like and at the croft there was a shepherd to talk to. Of course, there was a coffee shop so ...... hot chocolate and shortbread!
By the time we dragged ourselves away, there was lovely sunshine when we drove over the Drumochter Pass and passed the picturesque Dalwhinnie distillery. Still sitting right at the back, I probably missed some possible photo stops as I didn't see them in time. Still, we'd still got a lot of road in front of us so there was no time to lose.
We had lunch and a walk around the House of Bruar. I also walked up to the falls which seem to have had fencing put up to keep folk from wandering too near the edge. Drove through Blair Atholl without stopping .... I'd been sure that there was a view of the castle from the rodside but if there was one, I missed it.

I did find Killiecrankie though and it was a lovely walk in the sunshine to the soldier's leap where a government soldier fleeing after the battle, leapt 18' over the River Garry. http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/blairatholl/killiecrankie/index.html The Corries among others have recorded "The Braes of Killiecrankie", a much loved folk song (words by Burns)  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFou96NpyW8
One more stop and rather than drinking tea we opted for a beer in the sun after a bit of a walk around Pitlochry.
It was good to finally arrive at David and Laura's so that Christian could have a bit of a rest and a quiet night in over a venison casserole which he didn't tuck into in his usual manner H's clearly not himself and we're all silently worried about him.
Weather:
 21°, sun