Loch an Eilean

This was the final full day here and we both agreed that our first attempts at our painting had been less than successful so we had a fabulous morning trying to do justice to the mountain range again.

Then in the afternoon we returned to Loch an Eilean, (the loch with an island) for a last walk beside the water and a chance for the dogs to enjoy a good swim. It was a stunningly beautiful day and the loch was sparkling and crystal clear. Many families were enjoying simply chilling at the water's edge,while other folk like ourselves meandered further round amongst the shade of the old pines. The blip shows the very popular island with its ruined castle almost entirely overgrown in its summer greenery against the backdrop of the Cairngorm range. A dad and his son had decided to venture into the cold loch and swim to the island and you can see that Cara is looking on, fairly bemused. A few moments later and she started swimming out to join them!! We enjoyed our picnic and sat for quite a while sketching and soaking up the atmosphere while Cara and Bruce busied themselves guddling for stones in the water and then shaking themselves all over us!

Another Orkney ice-cream rounded the day off perfectly.