The Cairngorms are tucked away in the heart of the Scottish Highlands and comprise the UK’s largest park. My visit took place as the first winter snow began to fall.

Image of Caledonian Forest meeting Loch Morlich
Scottish pines by Loch Morlich
Image of scottish pines by Loch Morlich
Scottish pines meet Loch Morlich
Image of Scottish Pines of the Glenmore Forest Park by Loch Morlich
Scottish Pines of the Glenmore Forest Park by Loch Morlich

Some of the pines found in this region date back 7,000 years to the former Caledonian Forest.

Black and white image of Scottish pines in the Caledonian Forest of Loch Morlich
Scottish Pines of the Caledonian Forest at sunset

As winter was settling in, the sun remained low adding to the sense of a land preparing to go into hibernation.

Image of Scottish pines of the Caledonian Forest
Scotland’s Caledonian Forest
Scottish Pines
Image of Lichen growing on the Scottish Pines
Lichen growing on the Scottish Pines