It was January, and time once again for our annual trip to the Cairngorms, where Gary hosts his wildlife workshop. I always go along too. While he’s busy taking clients out into the hills and forests, I head off exploring with Nala, enjoying some adventures of our own.

This year we arrived to deep snow, freezing temperatures, and clear blue skies, a beautiful combination that turned the landscape into something truly magical. The snow was far too deep to venture onto the very high tops; I’d been told it was shoulder-deep in places, and poor Nala would have disappeared completely. So instead, for my first walk of the trip, I opted for a lower hill: Meall a’ Bhuachaille, a Corbett I’ve walked many times before, but never quite in conditions like these.

We started from Glenmore, taking my usual terraced path through the trees. The forest was hushed, heavy with snow and truly magical. Eventually the path descended down towards the Green Lochan (Lochan an Uaine). Legend says the fairies wash their clothes here. Normally the lochan is a striking emerald green, but today it was completely white, frozen and snow-covered. A different kind of magic, but no less enchanting.

From there we wandered on to Ryvoan Bothy, a place I’ve loitered at many times over the years. Revisiting places like this feels so familiar and comforting somehow. From there we began the ascent of the Corbett. The climb was a slog. The snow was deep, really deep, and it sapped my energy quickly. Each step took effort, but the views were worth it, and the sun blazed down from a beautiful blue sky, lifting my spirits with every pause to catch my breath.

Eventually, I reached the summit. I’d brought along a pot noodle, not my usual choice of food, and it turned out to be a complete disaster. It was so cold that the boiling water from my flask didn’t stay hot enough to do its job. The noodles never softened and tasted like soggy cardboard. I drank the flavoured liquid and tipped the rest into a poo bag to dispose of later!

The descent was great fun. Still hard work in the deep snow, but far more enjoyable than the uphill slog. Sliding, stepping, and plunging back down through the glittering white land-scape was fun – and Nala loved it!

It’s hard to put into words just how magical that day was. Snow sparkling in the sunshine, blue skies overhead, and a deep sense of stillness all around. One of those rare days when the conditions turn an ordinary walk into something truly special.

I felt incredibly blessed to be there.

What a day.