I drive back out of the town and park up in the same free car park by Loch Morlich. From there I head out into Glenmore forest for a nice long trail run.
I follow a relatively flat track which takes me past Ryvoan Bothy and into Abernethy National Nature Reserve. I’m not following a map or trying to get anywhere, just enjoying being out in this stunning woodland. I’m out for three hours and don’t meet a soul.
As I get back to the van it is just starting to get dark, so I opt for a very quick dinner of couscous, mixed with canned tuna and sundried tomatoes. Then I get warm with my book and a hot chocolate for another night by the lake.
Total: £39.29
Day 3
The pitter-patter of rain on the van roof wakes me up, so I’m in no rush to get up.
After sleeping in, I sit inside the van with the doors open for breakfast. This way, I can watch the ducks go about their morning bathing rituals.
My legs are a bit stiff from yesterday’s run (note to self: must start stretching) and I’ve got a couple of big loops planned in the coming days, so I take a look at the map and decide to go for a leisurely stroll around Loch Garten.
I stop by The Barn at Rothiemurchus to browse their shop which is filled with local goods. Lots of Scottish gins, handmade ceramics and amusing cards. Also an excellent selection of books, if you enjoy reading about trees (as I do).
I manage not to buy anything but then the cake counter in the café catches my eye on the way out. One millionaire shortbread (£3.75) later and I’m back en route.
It’s a lovely afternoon ramble around Loch Garten. A bit wet and drizzly but certainly not enough to dampen the spirits.
Then it’s time for my big project of the day – attempting to make a pizza, in a van, on a camping stove. My Tesco shop at the beginning of the week included a pizza dough kit that just requires you to add water. I was inspired by some fellow campers I’d seen who made one on a camping stove.
I prepare myself a nice little pizza topped with mozzarella, sun dried tomatoes and salami. I pop it on the stove in a frying pan with a lid on and cross my fingers.
About five minutes later, I have a perfectly cooked freshly made pizza, nice crispy base and all! That’s one to add to the van cookbook.
The Loch Garten car park was quiet and even had a little blackboard sign assuring me that campervans were welcome as long as there weren’t too many. Seeing as I was the only one, I parked up there for the night.
Total: £3.75
Day 4
With the legs suitably rested, I made plans for a long trail run up into the Cairngorm mountains.
After a breakfast of porridge, I make myself some cheese sandwiches for lunch as I will be out for most of the day. I stuff them into my running vest along with some Squares bars and a bag of Haribos, for extra sugar.
The run is epic. I head up to the Lairig Ghru, one of the best known mountain passes in Scotland.
Leaving behind the sunny woods, I soon find myself on snowy trails surrounded by mountains. This is what I came to Scotland for.
Back at the van after a day spent out in the hills, I decide that it is definitely time I had a shower.
After a quick Google, I book two nights in Ballater Hostel in the east of the Cairngorms National Park (£50 for two nights). I grab a Tikka Masala ready-meal and a beer from the Co-op by the hostel (£6.10) and manage some polite conversation with my fellow hostel guests before collapsing into bed.
Total: £56.10
