192 minutes of breathtaking beauty, and the best "Brandy" we've ever "tasted"...

Joan, high above Loch Brandy..."connecting".

When the human spirit is wounded, healing most often comes with connection - often in the company of others, but also by spending time in a natural environment of remote and breathtaking beauty. Yesterday, for Joan and I, it was a soothing and welcome balance of both.

A "marker", built over time - that helped us find our way.

We spent the morning at St Margaret's Parish, meeting and greeting folks, at the Friday morning coffee hour.

Such times are good "listening" times. I enjoy hearing folks speak about their lives, their families, their passions, their travels, their hopes and their dreams. The act of listening is also a valuable opportunity to affirm and value others. In so doing, we communicate to them the preciousness of both their stories and the "markers" that they have left behind - without saying a word. It just happens...whenever we listen with attentiveness and care.

Following coffee, we had scheduled two visits - the second, with a couple of delightful folks of "wiser" years who kindly offered us a glass of whisky, prior to a cup of tea and a plethora of tasty sweets.  (Gee, that doesn't happen in Canada - the offer of whisky, I mean!) We so wanted to accept the offer, but the truth is, neither one of us has ever acquired a taste for the legendary Scottish beverage. Heck, to show you how totally uncultured I am, I thought "single malt" was like ordering a "single" shot of espresso in your latte! Well...apparently, that's not what it means.

Filled with delicious tea, shortbread, apple tarts, and our hearts warmed by the hospitality of our hosts, it was time to make another connection. We had been looking forward to the possibility of a hill climb around Loch Brandy. It promised remote beauty, breathtaking views, and a suitable "calorie-busting" hike - a grand recipe, anytime.

The Clova Hotel - it brought back memories 
of the Lodge at Lake O'Hara in the Rockies.

The hike begins at the tiny little "outpost" of Clova, just inside the boundary of Cairngorms National Park. It is here that the Scottish terrain begins to take your breath away - literally. Leaving the trailhead and the Clova Hotel, the ascent is steady as you rise in elevation, the views becoming increasingly dramatic.

What's not to love about a Garmin 305 - it's just such great company!

Looking down into the panorama below us, we could see the River Esk, winding its way through the ice-carved valley towards the North Sea, amidst fields of cattle and sheep. Every so often we paused, not only to catch our breath, but to take in the vast beauty before us...and to listen to the calming music of the wind as it brushed the terrain.

The slopes are covered in heather and the peaty moorland "oozes" with the weight of the recent and ample rainfalls. We shared the lonely slopes, once again, with only the sheep, the wild goats, and soaring birds.

A couple of locals - so lucky, they get to live up here!

When you finally reach the tarn of Loch Brandy, the world becomes suddenly silent. The water is dark and still. The towering slopes bring shelter from the wind - and you feel the warmth of this magical place.

Loch Brandy and the ridge above and beyond.

You try to take it all in and capture the vista, both in your mind, and "digitally".

And then it is time to go higher.

It seems the top of the ridge will never come - but we are just impatient, for the scenic reward that we know awaits. The winds increase again - and it is time to add another layer of clothing from the backpack. Finally, reaching the top, the view is as promised - stunning. The neighbouring peaks of Dreish and Mayar, two "Munros", beckon from the west - perhaps another possibility before we leave this marvellous country.

Looking west from the ridge.

Above the sheltered and quiet loch, it is time to pause...and connect.

High above Loch Brandy...a source of wholeness, health, and joy.

And then it is time to complete the ridge walk, descend the steep path, and return to the trailhead. It was a time of "connection", of healing...and a source of renewed strength.

192 minutes, 8.74 kilometres, 684 metres of elevation gain - and a "taste" of what has to be the finest "Brandy", anywhere.

That's my kind of "spirits". :)

Duncan.


PS Applying a little common sense, we found some nice light hiking boots at Tiso for these sorties. Sure made life a lot easier on the feet - there were some steep and rocky places to negotiate. Tiso is the UK's answer to MEC and REI - pretty nice.

The reason we wore red, and found a reason to smile...on the Summer Solstice of 2011.

Mary Frances, wearing a splash of red, on her 90th birthday.

This past Tuesday, June 21st, was the day of the Summer Solstice. In the northern hemisphere, it is the longest day, the day of more life-giving light than any other time of the year.

It was also the day that my mother passed away.

Mary Frances, was an extraordinary woman whose life reflected gentleness, generosity, and remarkable strength. The warmth of her ever-present smile and the sparkle in her eyes was her trademark. Although she had not been well for some time, I believe that she chose her day, of that I am sure. When she took her last breath, surrounded and embraced by the love of a close friend, we were 7000 kilometres away, on the other side of the world. My mum never wanted to be a bother, to anyone. She never was. The fact is, it was always a privilege to be in her presence. We had spent a part of most days with my mum for many years - because we wanted to - but at the moment of her transition from this world to the next, we were not there.

It was just like her. Rather than have us around fussing, it would have been her wish that we be somewhere else - preferably outside, somewhere beautiful, breathing fresh and pristine air, being thankful for life...with all its challenges, valleys, and peaks.

When we received the news, there were tears, even though she had lived a full life of 93 years - with a good many outstanding outdoor adventures of her own with my dad! We needed to do, therefore, what she would expect us to do. We hiked back up into the solitude of the Scottish glens. It was there, in the midst of the pouring rain, the wind, and the swirling mist that we felt her spirit embrace us with warmth and love - and that brought a smile to our faces, in the midst of the sadness we felt. We knew, as clearly did she, that this was where she would expect us to be.

Back up in the heather in Angus, Scotland,
Summer Solstice 2011...with a "splash" of red. 

As for the "red". I can't tell you how many times my dear mum would tell me that if I wanted photographs to amount to anything at all, someone should wear some red. :) Well, I figure she's probably right.

Your spirit of generosity and love will remain with us forever, mum.

And we know that the adventure continues...love, peace, and happiness, now and always. As a special friend said, "She flies on."

With deepest affection for a special mother,

Duncan and Joan.