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U3A Photographic Trip to Grantown on Spey September 14th to 18th 2025
by Tim Wright - 13:23 on 21 September 2025
Twelve of us set out in four cars on a beautiful calm morning from Stromness to Scrabster on Sunday 14th September. The Hills of Hoy looked wonderful and lots of photos were taken. Great rafts of Fulmars were seen at sea but few Gannets. Then it was off to the Bothy at Berridale for lunch. For some a stop at Latheronwheel first while others went to the Croft Museum at Laiday. After lunch fa ew photographers ventured down to the shore at Berridale across the bouncy footbridge. The rest of us headed straight to the Grant Arms at Grantown on Spey. We had stayed there last year and enjoyed it as the food and accommodation were excellent as was theprice, skilfully negotiated by Hilary on our behalf.
The forecast for the week was variable with rain forecast most days with Tuesday looking the best day. However, in the event, little rain was seen over the 5 days that we were away. Each car had their own itinerary and most of the interesting local sites were taken in during that time . Ballindalloch Castle is a Family owned and lived-in Castle with lovely gardens and a Labyrinth. The Cooperage at Craigellachie was a popular tour combined with a mystery dram at the end. The Funicular up Cairngorm saw a lot of the Group looking for Transport Photos for the monthly Project. Some were disappointed that they could not take a walk from the top Station until we disembarked and discovered it was very cold with a fresh breeze blowing . So, we retreated and had coffee and cakes at the cafe instead. Back on the lower level, Sydney, who had joined us for a couple of days, suggested a popular walk to a Blue Loch. There was no wind there and plenty to photograph on the way. The loch was really quite low and as a result didn’t look very blue!
The next day six of us headed to the Strathspey Railway at Aviemore. While four of us travelled First Class, two were in Cattle class much to our amusement. A stop at Boat of Garten meant we could get a look at the magnificent Steam Engine puffing contentedly away. Others from the group met us there. The Station is a replica of travel from the 1950’s. It is beautifully kept with the old railway posters and adverts plus flower filled hanging baskets. A nostalgia trip for all of us. Then some went to the Highland Folk Museum at Newtonmore. It is a very large site with houses moved and constructed on site that represent the types of houses lived in from 1730’s to 1950’s. They all have the appropriate furnishings of the period that they represent. The older houses with thatch and no chimneys made one realize how hard life was in the 1700s. The 1950’s House held all sorts of implements from our childhood as well as furniture that looked familiar too. There is a School house complete with Map of the British Empire noted out in red plus a Tawse ready for the unruly pupils. A sweetie shop with suitable old varieties tempted a couple of purchases. There is a Post Office, a Church, a Blacksmith and a small Croft Farm among the 38 buildings. Others in the group had travelled as far as Ballater via Lecht. Going in the other direction another car had been up to Lochindorb, and also seen the destruction wrought by the recent enormous wildfires.
Finally Thursday came and we set off for the Ferry. The forecast was dire with Gales at midday but with the wind dying out later. A meander over the Struie for one car was nostalgic but with great views over the Kyle of Sutherland. This was followed by a trip to Croik Church to see the glass scratched by the Cleared Crofters in the windows. Others went to Inverness for shopping. A diversion to the Falls of Shin to look at the Salmon leaping was worth the effort as they were leaping for all their worth. However, photographing them was difficult and a lot of photos of the waterfall were taken with no fish visible! Another group came back via Forsinard, seeing Red Deer and Golden Eagles on the way. Arriving at Scrabster we were surprised to see the Hamnavoe already in port. She had not crossed back at lunch time as the conditions were so poor. With trepidation we boarded and took our seasickness pills. In the event the wind had gone down and the trip back via the Flow was much better than expected.
So many thanks to Hilary for getting us set up with the Grant Arms again, and also to them for looking after us so well too. It was a great trip. Now we have to see if we can find somewhere that will be as good for us next year
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