Scotland Day 3 - Success at last!

After the nights snoring competition we all seemed to drift into the kitchen at around 05:30 - 06:00 for a cuppa, seems none of us had a great nights sleep.  Nevertheless come 07:00 we were on the road and heading to Chanonry Point.  We arrived in good time, just as two ladies that had been watching for Dolphins gave up and wandered off, that filled us full of confidence.

Wobbly shot of a pair of Dolphins, one with its head out.

Stayed put though, and after a while a single Dolphin obliged and came and entertained us, and then another and a couple more.  It soon became clear that all they were going to show us was backs and tails, not very good, I managed a shaky shot of a pair where one had its head out of the water, but if they don't jump out its more of an actual spectacle than a photographic one! 

After that and a Scottish breakfast, we headed to Cromarty and saw oil rigs parked in the bay, and a pair of Mergansers.

Male Merganser, last one I saw was in Iceland

From there it was a quick dash off to the Cairn Gorm Muntain Railway at Aviemore, where incredibly, in Mid May they still have a prepared Piste and it was quite busy for Skiers and Boarders, of course that messed up our trek to the top but we're getting used to disappointment now.

Skiing on May 21st 2012 at Aviemore.

A swift coffee at the restaurant, a few pics and down again.  This time off to a secret place to take pictures of an extremely rare bird, the Capercaillie.

Final stop of the day, Kincraig to see a pair of Ospreys nesting and take a few photos.  Sadly the sun was behind them so we only really had silhouettes to work with, think we may be back tomorrow morning.

Topped the day of with Haggis and chips, and a couple of Bellhavens!

A better day by far.