Easter in Scotland.

We've had an excellent Easter break in Scotland doing some Munro Bagging in the Braemar area, some road biking from Symington and visiting Edinburgh for a day. The follow is a photo diary of the trip.

We drove up to Symington on Friday 11 April and left early on Saturday morning heading for the highlands. Our first stop was the Dalmunzie Hotel near the Spittal of Glenshee to climb Glas Tulaichean.The day was clear and bright but very windy. We reached the summit in just over 2 hours but decided to retrace our route back to the car as the summit wind made walking very difficult. Once back at the car we continued north to Braemar where we set up the tent on the excellent camp site. Despite the wind our new Vango tent was quite easy to pitch and we are delighted with the extra space and headroom it offers.

No problem finding the way to go.

The trickiest part of the route - we missed a bridge just upstream.

The view towards the summit.

Great summit views but it was very windy.

Heading back down the glen to the car.

On Sunday we headed to Inverey and mountain biked up Glen Ey to Altanour Lodge (ruin) to climb Beinn Iutharn Mhor. The cycling was mainly on a good track but a gusty head wind made it hard work. The ascent went well and avoided most of the snow that remained on the hill. There were again good views and it stayed dry.

Cycling up Glen Ey into a strong gusty head wind.

Our Munro for the day.

Clear evidence of a full depth avalanche.

Munro number two for the trip.

Walking back to Altanour Lodge (ruin)

The view along Glen Ey.

Back at the bikes at Altanour Lodge (ruin)

Ready for the 'bumpy' ride out.

A quick way back to the car.

After a windy night we awoke to a bright Monday morning and headed off to the Linn of Dee car park. From here we cycled in to Derry Lodge. Once again a head wind made this hard work but the views were fantastic. We climbed two Munros from here Beinn Bhreac and Beinn a'Chaorainn. As we climbed the first top the weather started to deteriorate and by the time we reached the second top it was snowing and the views were limited. On the descent down the Lairig an Laoigh, however, the skies cleared to give an excellent walk and ride out.

Riding out to Derry Lodge from Linn of Dee on a stunning morning.

Starting the first Munro.

The first summit with cloud building.

Heading for Munro number two.

Snowing on the summit.

Signs of improving weather after our summit lunch.

Great views on the walk back to Derry Lodge.

Taking a break on the walk out.

Stunning Caledonian Pine Forest.

'Lets get back!!!'

The only way to travel on these long 'walk outs'.

Overnight temperatures dropped below freezing and we awoke on Tuesday to a heavy frost. The forecast was for a bright and calmer day so we headed out to bag two of the more remote Munros in the area Carn an Fhidleir and An Sgarsoch.The approach was a 7.5 mile mountain bike to Geldie Lodge (ruin) along a rough track and involved two river crossings. Susan had an impact puncture about half way in which added to the remote feel of the day. The 9.5 mile round went well and involved crossing large patches of snow. The views were excellent but it was windier than expected. The cycle out went more 'smoothly' and our car to car time of 8 hours 40 min was less than guide book time.

The new Vango on a frosty morning - it performed well.

On the 7.5 mile ride in - a glorious day.

A slight delay to fix Susan's puncture.

River crossing one - easy.

River crossing 2 - a bit trickier to stay dry.

River crossing 3 - wet feet!!!

Geldie Lodge ruins.

An excellent stalkers path leads towards Munro number one.

Great views on the ascent.

The small summit cairn.

Plenty of snow to cross on route to Munro number two.

Approaching the summit cairn.

Another tick on her list.

Almost back to Geldie Lodge.

Starting the rough ride out.

Back at the car.

Susan and her new friend back at the car.

As another windy day was forecast for Wednesday we changed our plans and headed back to the Spittal of Glenshee to bag Carn an Righ from Glen Taitneach. This time we parked at the Spittal and cycled to the Dalmunzie Hotel. From here it was a long walk in and hard going to reach the summit in 4 hours 30 mins. The descent was via the same route although we found a slightly better line down into the glen. A good but harder than expected day (7 hours 40 mins car to car).

Starting the long walk up Glen Taitneach.

Snow made the going more difficult in places.

Susan arrives at the summit.

Munro number 220 for Susan.

Well wrapped up and in need of a hot flask.

Starting the long walk back.

Large snow patches made descending easier in places.

The view back down the glen.

The final river crossing.

Retrieving the hidden bikes for the cycle out.

Wednesday night was windy with heavy showers and Thursday was our transfer day back to Symington for some road cycling.

Friday was a beautiful sunny and relatively calm day - ideal for a cycle to Peebles via the Tweed Cycle Route. We had a fantastic round which just had to include a visit to Cocoa Black our favourite Peebles Cafe.

Wonderful riding on the road to Pebbles.

The reward in Cocoa Black.

The ride back over Dreva and through Broughton and Biggar.

Saturday was another stunner and ideal for our planned visit to Edinburgh to explore more of the city. This time we walked to Stockbridge and then on to the Botanical Gardens before climbing up to Carlton Hill for the view across the city. Lunch at Prezzo's was excellent.

In the Botanical Gardens.

Edinburgh's new Tram out on a practice run.

Looking to Arthur's Seat from Carlton Hill.

The view to the Castle from Carlton Hill.

Sunday saw us heading out on the bikes again for our longest cycle of the year to date - 63 miles. The outward route west over the Dalvine Pass to Sanquhar was quite easy and the weather was again fantastic. We stopped at a favourite cafe in the village (Burnside Tea Room) before heading 'home'. This leg proved much harder as the wind had picked up and we were cycling into it the whole way. Despite this it was an excellent round and a great way to end another great week in Scotland.

On the Dalvine Pass road.