Braemar

I woke up to a tranquil and warm morning- it was fantastic. Braemar is only a few miles from Balmoral Castle, where the Queen spends a good part of her summer. I did not visit, as the public can only visit the grounds. Instead I went for a walk in Ballochbuie forest on the Balmoral estate, which includes some of the few remaining stands of old growth scots pine. It was one of the few places I have visited that is forested- very pleasant on a hot day. Although I got completely coated in pollen. While I was in the forest a fighter jet flew overhead at low altitude. That made my day- I had hoped for that to happen the whole time I have been in Scotland. From the forest I drove to Glenshee, a ski resort in winter and a spectacular drive. In the late afternoon I visited the Linn of Dee, a very nice forested area on the river Dee (I am guessing that Linn means forest but cannot be sure). The photo is of the Dee and surrounding forest.