It was a fair-weather morning as we set off from our hotel in Aviemore to get an early start to my latest Paddleboard adventure at Loch an Eilein.

Getting there from Aviemore is an easy 5-6 mile drive away via the B970  and onto the Rothiemurchus estate towards Loch an Eilein.

Paid parking at the loch-side is ample for cars and motor homes (of which there were plenty), which is just as well as there were quite a few paddleboard enthusiasts out on the water when I got there.

After inflating the Paddleboard in the parking area – without the unnecessary drama I had at Loch Morlich with the missing ‘O’ ring on the pump –  I then took the short walk down onto the Lochside.

On the way to the loch you will pass by the small shop/visitors centre, and public toilets (happy days!) just next to the loch, and plenty of space around the water to find a quiet spot for yourself.

The water was a little choppy to begin with and there was a slight breeze blowing, but not enough to create a problem with my balance. In fact the only ‘issue’ was that the water was very shallow for about the first 10 mtrs or so at the spot I had chosen, and care had to be taken to avoid damaging the fin on the rocky bottom.

Loch an Eilein itself is not a large loch – about 56ha (139 acres), and it has a small island with castle ruins dating from the 13^th century. This is actually where the name of the loch derives translated from the Gaelic,  Loch an Eilein means ‘loch of the Island’.

From the shoreline nearest the parking area the Island itself looks quite far away, but in fact it is only about a 10-15 minute paddle to get there.

From the middle of the Loch, the scenery is quite outstanding. Surrounded as it is with pine-clad mountains, where the plaintive cry of the Golden Eagle can often be heard as it soars high above.

Despite the choppy surface on the water, I managed to paddle out to the Island with no dramas, as indeed had a small group of SUP enthusiasts – it’s just great to see parents and kids enjoying time together on their Paddleboards!

I must have spent a good couple of hours exploring on the Paddleboard, watching fish jumping and all the bird life, before joining with my husband for a walk around the Loch – which was actually longer than I had anticipated (took about 1.5 hours), but very pleasant and a great end to our trip.

No midges to contend with (unusual considering the humidity) and it never rained on us – always a big bonus when travelling in the Scottish Highlands!

Now back to the MacDonalds hotel in Aviemore for our evening meal and a few glasses of the good stuff.

Now…Time to start planning for the next SUP trip coupled with a short break somewhere near a water-course of some kind or other. Perhaps a short visit to the coast where I can enjoy the company of Seals, dolphins or even killer whales – now THAT would be exciting/terrifying!