Was down at Loch an Eilein ( http://rothiemurchus.net/Pages/About%20Us/Loch%20an%20Eilein.html ) near Aviemore on Sunday. A former colleague at Inverness College had asked if I would assist with taking a party of German teenagers for a walk in the morning. As the weather forecast was not too great we decided on Loch an Eilein. Although I have walked it several times I had not visited for 3-4 years and so was once again reminded of what a beautiful and sheltered walk it is. The trail is about 7km of easy walking on good quality path, which meanders round the loch through magnificent pines of the Rothiemurchus Forest. But what really sets this loch apart is the remains of a castle close to the shore. The castle dates back to the 13th century and was once the home of the notorious Wolf of Badenoch ( Alexander Stewart, grandson of Robert the Bruce). Amongst his list of 'achievements' was the burning to the ground of Elgin Cathedral!