Ben Dolphin 🏴❄️⛰🌲
@countrysideben.bsky.social
Ranger in the Cairngorms, occasional writer, general evangelist for the great outdoors. Winter's biggest fan and prone to blethering. Definitely my own views!!
End-of-year campfire sweep of a more remote part of the Quoich today. Depressing to find one all the way out there 🙄 #rangerdailydiary
November 26, 2025 at 11:17 PM
End-of-year campfire sweep of a more remote part of the Quoich today. Depressing to find one all the way out there 🙄 #rangerdailydiary
Yesterday afternoon's stroll up Carn na Drochaide had the promise of being clear on the summit, with open views to the south on the way up.
November 23, 2025 at 5:46 PM
Yesterday afternoon's stroll up Carn na Drochaide had the promise of being clear on the summit, with open views to the south on the way up.
It's that horrid in-between phase where everything is sopping wet. Still looks the part though.
November 23, 2025 at 5:30 PM
It's that horrid in-between phase where everything is sopping wet. Still looks the part though.
The Lui, from a couple of days ago. The thaw is well advanced now but I'm hoping we get many more serene, snowy days like this before winter is out.
November 23, 2025 at 10:19 AM
The Lui, from a couple of days ago. The thaw is well advanced now but I'm hoping we get many more serene, snowy days like this before winter is out.
After a slight thaw to high levels I can't say I was enamoured of the idea of trudging for miles over an icy crust, so I instead opted for a couple of hours milling about on the summit of Carn na Drochaide, watching the cloud come and go, and snapping the bursts of fleeting sunset 🙂
November 22, 2025 at 9:15 PM
After a slight thaw to high levels I can't say I was enamoured of the idea of trudging for miles over an icy crust, so I instead opted for a couple of hours milling about on the summit of Carn na Drochaide, watching the cloud come and go, and snapping the bursts of fleeting sunset 🙂
<sighs>
I wish, just once, the snow would come and it would stay. Even if it did so above 700m it would feel like a win in this modern climate.
I wish, just once, the snow would come and it would stay. Even if it did so above 700m it would feel like a win in this modern climate.
November 21, 2025 at 8:26 PM
<sighs>
I wish, just once, the snow would come and it would stay. Even if it did so above 700m it would feel like a win in this modern climate.
I wish, just once, the snow would come and it would stay. Even if it did so above 700m it would feel like a win in this modern climate.
It's raining here now ☹️ But first thing this morning it was -10C and about as perfect as you can get.
November 21, 2025 at 8:22 PM
It's raining here now ☹️ But first thing this morning it was -10C and about as perfect as you can get.
Reposted by Ben Dolphin 🏴❄️⛰🌲
Annual averages
1951-1980: 41.6 air frost days
1981-2010: 32.6 air frost days
1991-2020: 27 air frost days
2015-2024: 22.1 air frost days
1951-1980: 41.6 air frost days
1981-2010: 32.6 air frost days
1991-2020: 27 air frost days
2015-2024: 22.1 air frost days
November 21, 2025 at 8:10 PM
Annual averages
1951-1980: 41.6 air frost days
1981-2010: 32.6 air frost days
1991-2020: 27 air frost days
2015-2024: 22.1 air frost days
1951-1980: 41.6 air frost days
1981-2010: 32.6 air frost days
1991-2020: 27 air frost days
2015-2024: 22.1 air frost days
Reposted by Ben Dolphin 🏴❄️⛰🌲
London Heathrow's annual frost number days (1949-2025*) where minimum temperature falls below 0C (32F).
Currently, 2025 stands at 26 days with still December to come, this is above recent decadal average. It has felt like a frostier year, but certainly an element of shifting baseline syndrome.
Currently, 2025 stands at 26 days with still December to come, this is above recent decadal average. It has felt like a frostier year, but certainly an element of shifting baseline syndrome.
November 21, 2025 at 8:10 PM
London Heathrow's annual frost number days (1949-2025*) where minimum temperature falls below 0C (32F).
Currently, 2025 stands at 26 days with still December to come, this is above recent decadal average. It has felt like a frostier year, but certainly an element of shifting baseline syndrome.
Currently, 2025 stands at 26 days with still December to come, this is above recent decadal average. It has felt like a frostier year, but certainly an element of shifting baseline syndrome.
It’s a beautiful start to the day at Mar Lodge 🙂 We’re still a bit warmer here than a few other spots in Scotland, but a decently cold -10C here at the moment.
November 21, 2025 at 7:52 AM
It’s a beautiful start to the day at Mar Lodge 🙂 We’re still a bit warmer here than a few other spots in Scotland, but a decently cold -10C here at the moment.
Oh good god, I just found a tick on me! 😬
November 20, 2025 at 11:52 PM
Oh good god, I just found a tick on me! 😬
I was down at the car park towards the end of the afternoon today, just as the heavy snow showers faded and the sun broke through just a tad. The soft wintry light was exquisite! 🙂
November 20, 2025 at 8:47 PM
I was down at the car park towards the end of the afternoon today, just as the heavy snow showers faded and the sun broke through just a tad. The soft wintry light was exquisite! 🙂
Tomorrow is looking pretty decent and sunny before it warms up and clouds over, but I'll be in the office.....so I instead made a point of heading out around the Quoich this evening after work 🙂 Got to make the most of the snow while it's here!
November 20, 2025 at 7:55 PM
Tomorrow is looking pretty decent and sunny before it warms up and clouds over, but I'll be in the office.....so I instead made a point of heading out around the Quoich this evening after work 🙂 Got to make the most of the snow while it's here!
I was followed around by robins everywhere I went today. I found this one in my cab after I left the door open, and it was very glad of the few scraps of food I found in my pocket. #rangerdailydiary
November 19, 2025 at 9:52 PM
I was followed around by robins everywhere I went today. I found this one in my cab after I left the door open, and it was very glad of the few scraps of food I found in my pocket. #rangerdailydiary
A surprisingly quiet day on the estate. Usually the snow draws a few folk down, but all the more atmospheric for it 🙂
It only got down to -1.6C here last night, but back in the Lomond Hills it fell below freezing for the first time this season, falling to a low of -1.4C around 9am this morning.
It only got down to -1.6C here last night, but back in the Lomond Hills it fell below freezing for the first time this season, falling to a low of -1.4C around 9am this morning.
November 19, 2025 at 9:44 PM
A surprisingly quiet day on the estate. Usually the snow draws a few folk down, but all the more atmospheric for it 🙂
It only got down to -1.6C here last night, but back in the Lomond Hills it fell below freezing for the first time this season, falling to a low of -1.4C around 9am this morning.
It only got down to -1.6C here last night, but back in the Lomond Hills it fell below freezing for the first time this season, falling to a low of -1.4C around 9am this morning.
Looking out the front door this evening 🙂
November 18, 2025 at 5:40 PM
Looking out the front door this evening 🙂
Snowing very lightly in Braemar this morning, but 3cm lying in Lomond Hills 🙂
November 18, 2025 at 8:13 AM
Snowing very lightly in Braemar this morning, but 3cm lying in Lomond Hills 🙂
‘Oh my! I am in weather nerd heaven having just invested in a cheapo weather station (complete with one of this spinny cup anonononometer things) and some nifty software. I could sit here staring at it all night.’
So said my Facebook update, on this night in 2010. Now look at me! 😆
So said my Facebook update, on this night in 2010. Now look at me! 😆
November 17, 2025 at 10:20 PM
‘Oh my! I am in weather nerd heaven having just invested in a cheapo weather station (complete with one of this spinny cup anonononometer things) and some nifty software. I could sit here staring at it all night.’
So said my Facebook update, on this night in 2010. Now look at me! 😆
So said my Facebook update, on this night in 2010. Now look at me! 😆
Reposted by Ben Dolphin 🏴❄️⛰🌲
Winter high in the #Cairngorms today .... 'enjoying' a walk round the Northern Corries
November 17, 2025 at 4:50 PM
Winter high in the #Cairngorms today .... 'enjoying' a walk round the Northern Corries
The hills were a little bit whiter this morning 🙂
November 17, 2025 at 5:44 PM
The hills were a little bit whiter this morning 🙂
First dusting of snow this morning. Hopefully something more substantial tomorrow. Not as cold as yesterday, a low of -0.5C.
November 17, 2025 at 8:34 AM
First dusting of snow this morning. Hopefully something more substantial tomorrow. Not as cold as yesterday, a low of -0.5C.
Stob Coire Sputan Dearg yesterday, just before removing my boots to cross the Luibeg ford 🥶 I don't think I've ever not stopped here for a pic up the glen when I've been passing 😉
November 16, 2025 at 8:49 PM
Stob Coire Sputan Dearg yesterday, just before removing my boots to cross the Luibeg ford 🥶 I don't think I've ever not stopped here for a pic up the glen when I've been passing 😉
The Lairig might have its immense sense of space, but IMO it can't compete with Glen Geusachan for 'out the way' ruggedness. Always a bit of trauma travelling through that one 😫
November 16, 2025 at 8:40 PM
The Lairig might have its immense sense of space, but IMO it can't compete with Glen Geusachan for 'out the way' ruggedness. Always a bit of trauma travelling through that one 😫
Gawd I adore winter light in Scotland. It'll look even better if & when the snowfields start to build, cos then you get the blues and purples on moody days 🙂
November 16, 2025 at 8:22 PM
Gawd I adore winter light in Scotland. It'll look even better if & when the snowfields start to build, cos then you get the blues and purples on moody days 🙂
Carn a' Mhaim viewed on approach and ascent 🙂 Nice to know that snow is going to accumulate here more readily this week 👍
November 16, 2025 at 8:19 PM
Carn a' Mhaim viewed on approach and ascent 🙂 Nice to know that snow is going to accumulate here more readily this week 👍