I Travelled To The Scottish Highlands' Highest Village
Vložit
- čas přidán 23. 12. 2023
- Get 10% off your Manta Sleep Mask by using the code "RUTH" at checkout - tinyurl.com/5xjs95d8
Today I am travelling to the highest village in the Scottish Highlands. Situated at an elevation of 345 meters above sea level and home to around 716 people, Tomintoul is the highest village in the Highlands and is located within the beautiful Cairngorms National Park.
Nearby to the Lecht Ski Center, one of Scotland’s best ski resorts and Speyside, the world’s most densely populated whisky region, I travel Scotland in December in my campervan and experience what winter travel in Scotland is like. Join me as I explore this beautiful part of northern Scotland and take another Scotland road trip to the Highland’s highest village.
🍿 WATCH NEXT
SCOTLAND'S HIGHEST VILLAGE: • I Travelled to Scotlan...
ORKNEY: • Travelling Scotland’s ...
SHETLAND: • I Travelled To The UK’...
SPEYSIDE WHISKY REGION: • Visiting The World's W...
COMMUNITY OWNED ISLAND: • The Scottish Island Ow...
EXTRA CONTENT ON PATREON:
🎬 Get access to exclusive uncut and bonus videos, behind-the-scenes content and sneak peeks into future projects - / ruthaisling
🏴 My Scotland Google Map: geni.us/L7sek2P
💌 Free Scotland Travel Guide: ruthaisling.com
MY OTHER SOCIALS:
📸 INSTAGRAM - / ruthaisling
🎥 FACEBOOK - / ruthaisling
📱 TIKTOK - / ruth.aisling
🌍 WEBSITE - ruthaisling.com
MY FAVOURITE TOOLS & GEAR:
🚽 Trelino - The best van toilet (Use code RUTHAISLING for a discount or gift): geni.us/lC0UmdH
🔋 Bluetti - My favourite van portable batteries (Use code BLUETTIRA for 5% discount): geni.us/ewxrm1v
🚐 GoBoony - My favourite van rental site: geni.us/YxVpAj1
🎵 Epidemic Sound - Music in my videos: geni.us/a1Qq
✈️ Safety Wing - My go-to flexible travel insurance: geni.us/yBV4Xey
WHO AM I?
If we haven't met before... Hi, I'm Ruth 👋 and I recently bought a campervan to travel my home country of Scotland after living overseas for 12 years. I’ve hardly seen anything or been anywhere in Scotland and now is the time to change that!
P.S. Some of the links in this description are affiliate links that I get a kickback from.
Thank you for watching the video today! For those of you who celebrate Christmas, I wish you a wonderful Christmas! 🎄
Hi Ruth, former resident of Tomintoul here. The village name isn't pronounced as Tomin"tool", it really is Tomintoul (sounds like towel).
Merry Christmas to all
@@tehklevster I was wondering about the pronunciation.
Happy holidays Ruth. From Canada. Thanks for your genuine way of presenting and sharing these trips
What an awesome documentary. Well done and keep up the good work….👏🌝
So a chocolate brownie followed by whiskey…sounds like my kind of diet! Cheers for the holiday season 🎄❄️🎄
😂
I grew up in Royal Deeside and it was the best place for a childhood. We could play outside all day and only return home when we were hungry but usually we were fed by whoever s parents were closest to where we were. My best friend had a farm and his mother was a prize winning baker so bannocks and scones were always still warm for eating with home made jam. With regards the snow gates they are closed on a frequent basis in fact one night I was travelling from Banchory back to Glasgow over Banchory to Fettercairn by the Cairn O'Mount road and although it was raining in Banchory by the time we had driven over the 1st steep hill it was sub arctic conditions and white roads and drifting snow I was stuck. I kindly local rescued my car and when the police drove by to rescue drivers stuck further up they had to admit there had been a miscommunication and the gates should have been closed earlier. I had a neighbour who used to change his alloys in winter for steel wheels and winter tyres but I have all season tyres on my all wheel drive Land Rovers and Jaguars not more than one at any time I am not that wealthy. I was up in Aberdeen last week and when I drove past the Glenshee ski resort there was a dusting of snow by the road and the snow line was not that much further up and they had a good dump a couple of days later in Aberdeen. I hope you have a Happy Christmas and Good New Year and I look forward to your 2024 content.
Great memories and what a beautiful place to grow up! I hope you had a lovely Christmas and NY!
Great video Ruth, to answer your questions.
1. Yes we do put on Winter tyres here in Scotland but not everyone does it. Usually people who commute long distances.
2. Bath tubs are for water for animals so you were correct.
Hope you have a fantastic time at Christmas and Happy Hogmany 🎉when it comes.🏴💙💕
Thanks for sharing!
Hello from Minnesota, USA! We do use winter tires here, although I’d say not as many people use them as should (mainly because they have the foolish idea that 4x4 or AWD work on ice…).
It’s about temperature more than snow and ice. Below 45°F (7°C) regular tires get hard and don’t grip or stop as well. Winter tires stay pliable in the cold. Cheers!
Ruth I never get bored of watching you
My wife and I did a road trip in the Highlands many years ago and loved it. Your casual mention of “single track” brought it back. That frugal road concept is worth explaining, especially its proper use, as opposed to road adventures with foreigners who drive like they are ‘king of the road’.
晴れた夜は、星空が美しそうな町ですね。ウィスキーは、美味しそうでした。
暗い空とウィスキーは最高だ(笑)。
I just found your channel and have really been enjoying your travels around Scotland. This May we will visit Scotland for the third time. These videos definitely help pass the time while waiting for our own explorations.
Thanks Holly, really glad to hear the videos are helpful!
That was good timing, I just put CZcams on! Happy Christmas!!
Ahh, the unbelievable BEAUTY. 😊
It really is!
I run all-season tyres all year round - almost as good as full winter tyres, but also work in the summer. Probably not needed in the south, but here in Wales or up in Scotland I'd definitely always fit them now.
Are there any downsides to using them in summer?
@@ruthaisling I've not had any issues over the last 4 or so years. Other than the price of the premium brands! I've seen vans with them on locally, so they're definitely available for larger vehicles too.
Have a look at the tyre reviews of Michelin Cross Climates etc
Corgarff Castleは、現在の私のデスクトップパソコンの背景に設定しています。今年の9月12日にCorgarff Castleを訪れたのを懐かしく思い出しています。写した写真を見返していたらスキー場のリフトも写していました。この後、カーナビの不具合で道に迷い行く予定のなかったBalmoral Castleに辿り着きました。
雪のハイランド地方は一段と素敵な風景ですね。
城の中にも入れたんですか？デスクトップの背景に設定されていると聞いて、とても驚いています！
空気が透き通っているのが良くわかります、雄大な雪景色に真っ赤なダウンジャケットのルースさんと真っ赤なアーニーさんは良く似合いますね、スコットランドにはまだまだ知らない土地がたくさんありそうでルースさんの案内で観れるのが楽しみです、アーニーさんの修理も終わりこれからが冬のバンライフを期待しています。
ご声援ありがとうございました！新年明けましておめでとうございます！
In Nz people put chains on their tyres when it comes to snow, but we do get road closing on our 'Desert Rd' and down south on the roads across and around the southern alps during winter.
Another lively video to watch. Thanks Ruth 🙂
Used to live fairly high up in England where it got icy and quite heavy snow when it snowed and had 4WD with winter tyres in the winter which we found very helpful.
冬のハイランド地方の雪景色は美しいですね。対策をしたおかげでバンライフが快適になり良かったです。積雪はなくても道路の凍結に注意してください。メリークリスマス！😺
ありがとうございます。
On one of our holidays we stayed at Aboyne, just a year before we moved to the Black Isle. We travelled past Corgarff Castle, stopped for a photo and then entered Strathdon. Thought that this would be a delightful area to live. Then pulled into the roadside cafe for a delicious lunch. Also checked out Lecht ski centre in Summer, no skiing of course.
LUTHさんおはようございます。X'masはどうでしたか？今日はTomintoulと言う、田舎町ですか。ウイスキーと聞けば最高じゃ。バタリーか、旨そうなパンじゃ。いつ見ても手馴れて細かい編集が素晴らしいよ、それに解説は内容もアナウンスもプロ並みじゃ。次の動画を楽しみにしています。
ご丁寧なコメントをありがとう。
Happy new year. お正月はどうだったの？スコットランドの正月の雰囲気を知りたいです。次の動画を楽しみにしています。@@ruthaisling
Hi Ruth, fantastic scenery, I loved loading a tanker from three or four different distilleries. You don't think you're working when you enjoy it so much.
Sounds great!
今回も訪れることはないイングランドの風景を見せてくれてありがとう。 相変わらず草原ばかりで高い木々が生い茂る場所は見当たりませんね。 日本ではクマやイノシシがあちこちに出没して大変なことが起こっています。 此処では獣害の心配なくあちこちひとけのない所でも行けますね。
熊にはくれぐれもご注意を！
Had Tomintoul whisky long time a nice 1❤
I used to live in Tomintoul and i always put winter tyres on
Nice place to live! Why did you leave?
@@ruthaisling I lived there for 5 years and would have liked to stay but i had to return to Devon
Thanks!
Thank you! ❤
Great video. Getting out of the large cities is definitely the way to see a country
Definitely!
I gew up near Moniaive. We used to go the Wanlockhead to ski. There was a great outdoor adventure park at Drumlanrig which we used to go to as kids.
Living in Argyll both my wife and I have either All season or winter tyres on different wheels for our cars which are used from November to Easter. Some people say they're not required, but we'd disagree!
Brilliant video, very envious of you being able to do that trip in winter . I have been to Tomintoul many times on my way to Breamar, but always in Summer. The Whisky shop is amazing, I spent £114 on a bottle of Lagavulin in 2022 from there. I will be back again in June next year, but it is a long journey from Dorset.
Hope you get the van door sorted, probably needs grease on the runners .
Long journey but it will be worth it once you get there!!
A lovely video as usual. Loved watching your content this year, especially knowing how the van was created and is being used now. Terry, who built the van would have loved it. I've sent a couple of pics to your email, to help piece together the vans history. Have a great Xmas and new year. 👍🎉🎉
Sorry, I couldn't download the pictures I wanted you to see. They were pictures of Ernie and Mike, who sold the van to you and a picture of Terry who built the van. But other than email, I don't do social media, so I'll have to do it another time. Cheers
Thanks for watching! I'd love to see the photos, my email is ruthaisling@gmail.com if you get another chance!
Islay whisky 👍,thank you for watching!
I lived in Strathdon many years ago and would put winter tyres on, they do make a big difference even in a muddy single track road.
Good to know!
Just a thought about your Coir block u got for the loo ,Ruth you normally soak that whole or Half of it before use and it will Swell up to about 4 times its Volume and then ready 4 use and you can store the rest as you want it would be more convenient than the bag of straw, I have used Coir many times 4 Garden and great for seeds etc a great alternative to Peat based compost.❤💚
That’s great to know, thank you!
Nice video Ruth . On winter tyres - I live in the central belt and I put winters on my vans front between November and April. They don't just make a difference in snow ,but in cold wet roads too.
Safe travels
Martin.
That's good to know! Thanks for sharing Martin!
30 or so years ago I remember hearing from a snowboarder friend that the Lecht got the most snow of all the skiing areas in Scotland, but it would take days to get the roads cleared to actually get to the ski centre.
Yes, from what I remember the access roads to it are private so the council doesn’t grit or clear it and it’s down to the land owners. Think they did invest in a big snow blowing machine thing some time ago.
She’s lovely. Happy Christmas xx you should put winter tyres on. Summer tyres are no good below 7 degrees. It’s law in Switzerland to put them on at 1st November ; also Germany. No laws in UK but I always put winter tyres on in November. Xx
That's interesting to know and makes sense why my friend always put them on!
I have a Manta mask and the thing is, as you say, fabulous. No pressure on my eyes, easy to adjust, absolutely wonderful.
Wonderful! Yes I love mine 👀
There is a Highland gathering there usually mid July that is fabulous.
I learned to Ski with the army in Lecht in January 81 but back then we had to go on to another slope for more advanced skiing as Lecht slopes mustn't have been as developed as today. Or maybe it was just the army being the army. Most learned to ski in Germany and we had just done 4 weeks in Bad Tolz before Christmas but they sent us to Scotland for the ski training. The video brought back a few memories of Aviemore.
Good evening Ruth,
Well what can I say but you've done it yet again. What a great vlog and I really enjoyed every minute.
Can I take this opportunity to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a very peaceful, prosperous and positive New Year 2024.
Take care and be lucky 💝💝💝
Thank you so much. I hope you had a great Christmas and New Year!
Aye! Its quite a place. And a few of the Biggles books were penned there when the author went salmon fishing in the area.
I drive to Deeside from home on the West of Scotland twice a year to fish for Salmon on the River Dee. That road from Grantown on Spey, past Tomintouil and down to Ballater is my favourite in Scotland. The views are incredible. And I only live 30 minutes from Glencoe - but this is my favourite! ❤️
What a wonderful place to live near!
Yes, it's a bonny area!👍👍 I cycled there and most of the rest of the highlands back in the early 1980s and all going well I shall visit the highlands again.
The beauty here nearly kilt me...
Your positivity and sense of fun and exploration are utterly captivating!
Another cracking vlog Ruth, thank you ! :)
Merry Christmas Ruth and thanks for all your videos this year, I always look forward to them being uploaded.
Glad you like them!
Happy Christmas great adventures, I am envious x
Merry🎉Christmas from Ontario! Really wonderful drone photography on this episode. Kudos… your presentations just keep getting better.
Thank you so much Ben!
I never put on winter tyres on my 1990 Range Rover Classic and I took off-road in Glen Affric in the snow to see how it would perform. Never got stuck with wheel spinning. They were regular Bridgestones.
This was a super interesting and charming episode.
I really enjoyed it.
Thanks for taking us along!
Glad you enjoyed it!
3:11. Yep. it's not unusual for us to have a separate set of wheels with winter tires around the back of the garage for winter use.
The road via Lecht is gorgeous at anytime of the year. Thank you for rekindling memories of my own trips to the area.
Merry Christmas. Thank you for your inspiring videos during 2023👍🎅
Thanks for watching!
Merry Christmas Ruth
Stay safe 👍
Another joyous little offering Ruth 👍 wishing you a Merry Christmas and another video full year ! 😁
Same to you
Beautiful there Ruth.
Love the history lessons you add to the vlog.
Happy Christmas & safe travels 😊
Thanks Sean, hope you had a nice Christmas and NY!
Thanks for showing us another beautiful area of Scotland. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Happy holidays!
Merry Christmas Ruth, Great video 😅❤X
Great video as always very informative. Have a good Christmas Ruth 🎅
Thanks Paul!
Cheers for another great video Ruth 🏴
Thank you! 😀
Great video. I remember seeing big snow gates on the A9 somewhere north of Perth near the Cairngorms. Hopefully you are back home as I see news items today about heavy snow and high wind in Northern Scotland with cars getting stuck in the snow. Several snow gates are closed due to conditions.
Thanks for watching!
We love Tomintoul! We stayed just outside the village in 2017 and returned again in 2022. Great area. And the views from atop the road to the Ski slopes are beautiful too. Great video as always. Thank you 😊
The views are amazing, I agree!
From Scotland to your home Andrew. We wish you, and yours, a very Merry Christmas!
Looking forward to the new year
Thank you!
Thank you for another very interesting video!
Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones and a peaceful and prosperous new year, with lots of exciting travels!
Love and hugs from Cape Town 🇿🇦💞🤗
Thank you Robin!
Loved it again Ruth, great stuff.
Thanks for watching!
Beautiful, professional video................. thank you........................ I wish you a fantastic Christmas....................
Thank you! You too!
Thank you so much. Happy Christmas
Same to you!
Another informative and well presented video Ruth, we stayed in a log cabin not to far from the Balmoral estate on the Cairngorms (September 2022), such a lovely area with lots to see.
That sounds lovely, I can't wait to re-visit the area again
Love your videos Ruth can't wait for them to drop . Merry Christmas 🎇🎁🎄🎋
Thank you so much John!
Hi Ruth, glad you had a visit to Deeside.Thanks for the great video's, please keep them coming.Best wishes to you and yours for the coming year !!.N.x.
Thank you!
Great to see these fascinating places in Scotland Ruth and that you are toasty warm in the low temperatures ☺️ ! Merry Christmas and happy hogmanay! Xx
Same to you!
Merry belated Christmas and A Happy New Year, Ruth! :)
Thanks Luke, hope you had a good one!
Brilliant video and beautiful scenery!! Wishing you a very Merry Christmas Ruth.
Hope all is well, take care.
Thank you!
Excellent video Ruth. The town I grew up in Marysville, Kansas, we have black and red squirrels. 🐿️
That was fun. Thank you for taking us along.
Glad you enjoyed it
For once watching your video without work the next day, wishing you a merry Yuletide and much thanks for your uplifting and educational videos they are appreciated Ruth 😊, hope you are keeping warm
Thank you! I hope you had a lovely Christmas and New Year!
Happy Holidays Ruth! Great video - thanks for sharing! Cheers...
Thanks for watching!
Merry Christmas and looking forward to more of your adventures in 2024
Lovely views and video, it brings back so many memories, many years ago the SYHA had a hostel in Corgarff, it was more like a Bothy as you had to walk over the grass for some distance, I remember pushing my bike as we couldn’t ride on the grass. We usually go through Tomintoul from Grantown down to Royal Deeside, lovely part of the world. Glad your heater is working well, they are SO good. Also your wee heater with a hookup. Merry Christmas to you, hope you meet up with some pals. Cheers Mike 🍷🥃👍👍
I'll need to look out for the hostel next time!
What a beautiful area of the country, not jealous at all Ruth
You are suppose to have a dip in the icy bath tub whilst watching the stars LoL 😁
Hahaha 😂
Welcome Ruth 😊
many people in Scotland do put on winnter tyres
Another rich content, pro produced video. Lovely area. We like staying in Ballater, which also has a caravan park. Happy holidays to you. Your videos are gifts that comes along all year. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks so much!
Another fantastic view of Scotland. I love the Cairgorms. Climbed Cairngorm itself both during the summer and a cold spring as well. Views on the summers say were breathtaking, and up at the summit on the cold day, thick fog and a sense of loneliness. First mountain I've climbed with snow on. Keep up the good work. Happy Christmas and New Year
I went to Ben Macdui via the Cairngorm plateau. I encountered reindeer and a great big field of snow in July. And I've been at the summit of Cairngorm in thick fog too - magic !
Thanks for watching. I really enjoyed my time in the Cairngorms too. Can't wait to get back and explore more!
Stunning place and brilliant video Ruth. Hopefully Ernie is back on road soon. 😀
Thank you! He's all good now!
ルースさん❤メリークリスマス🎄
メリークリスマス
ゆたんぽ、すてきですね☺️
Wonderful video Ruth. What an adventurous life you have lived. Japan, Australia, Scotland and more I bet. I love the Highlands,, all of Scotland actually and each video you have me trying another whisky! Merry Christmas and safe and adventurous travels.
Glad you enjoyed it, thanks for watching!
Your attractiveness has grown a lot on me. Love your tours of Scotland. I was there last summer, but want to hit some of the places you have been in your videos 😊
Another lovely video, Ruth. Not far from Grantown on Spey which is a very special place for us. Mr GST's late dad is laid to rest there in a beautiful natural setting.
I drove through there, lovely place ❤
Sounds as though you could make a chocolate brownie tour! 😋And I ordered a Manta sleep mask (thank you for the discount!) and it does black out light!!
Haha I could, I'll look out for more on my travels! Glad you are enjoying your sleep mask, I love mine!
Lovely trip to the highest village, the campsite is well priced & you must have been so cosy with the radiator on all night.
Yes the baths are there for animals to drink the water.
The heater was so cosy! So glad I got it!
I so much love the shop selling gorgeous yummy butteries . I think it's worth a visit from Corgaff Castle to the ski places 😍 😊. I didn't know that Scotland has a variety of gems until I watched your Scotland videos on CZcams. Take care of yourself stay warmed during the cold winter nights in your van.
Thank you!
Merry Christmas, Ruth! Glad your new heating setup is working well. What beautiful scenery (as always). We love the Cairngorms, too. And yes, in Canada the majority of people put on winter tires. It’s not the law but recommended by police and insurance companies. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas! PS we tried butteries for the first time a couple of weeks ago. So good!
Thank you! I hope you had a wonderful Christmas too! Glad to hear you also tried butteries!
another nice video, thanks
Glad you enjoyed it!
I know the road you are driving, its part of my 2,000 mile tour of east to west Highland tour, from Helmsdale to Glen Brittle on Skye. Thanks for sharing your travel adventures.
What a great tour!
Merry Christmas 😊Ruth!
Same to you!
Lovely thanks for your trip Ruth. I am so glad to have found you, I'm fascinated by Scotland & only been to a couple of places, I long to do it in a van like you tho I'm 65 eek. Bucket list! Dads ancestors were from Galloway, I must get up there.
Galloway is lovely, that’s where I’m from! Please come back and visit again soon! 🏴
Loved this Vlog. Thanks
Thanks Keith!