CairnGorm Mountain Railway

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When Steve was offered the job in Scotland, one of the driving forces behind our decision to accept was Scotland's proximity to Steve's family. Although we're hardly next door -- the trip takes between six and seven hours by car -- we are within striking distance. We were very happy when two of Steve's sisters and their hubbies made the trek up last week to spend a couple of days with us.

We met them at the CairnGorm Mountain Railway, near Aviemore. This is about a forty-five minute drive south of Inverness. CairnGorm Mountain stands at 4,084 feet and is the six tallest mountain in the United Kingdom. It has a funicular railway that takes you to an observation platform and restaurant around the 3,550-foot mark.

You're already more than halfway up the mountain when you get to the car park.

Here's a view out of the funicular's front window as we began our ascent of the mountain. Unlike some funiculars that I've seen on The Amazing Race which offer a very steep climb, this one was a gentle ascension.

Here we are approaching the tunnel leading to the platform. That's the conductor on the left with fun decorative sticks holding up her hair.

Now we're in the tunnel. Sorry about the reflection in the glass.

And here is the view from the observation platform. It's just spectacular. I was telling Steve that I can understand why some people are not enthralled by the landscape. The mountains don't have the rough-hewn granite of the Rockies. They seem gentle, as if you could just take a stroll up one without too much bother. And the area has a desolation to it. But there is something about the Scottish Highlands that speaks to my soul, and I find the scenery incredibly beautiful.

The entire point of this photo was to show you the snow. It's the small white blob in the middle of the mountain. I know it's not much, but it's snow! Snow makes this Florida girl smile.

We had a look around the exhibition, a quick bite to eat at the restaurant, and then it was time to take the funicular back down to the car park. This is a shot down the tunnel as the next train approached.

I snapped this at some point along the return home. I think this is as we're approaching Inverness, so that would be the Moray Firth.






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