Some wintry photos!

A very Merry Xmas to you all!

After our recent bout of snowy weather, I thought I'd post up some wintry pictures. I've also included some other wintry scenes that we've captured over the last couple of years. Jasper features more than Tommy as he's much more of a snow dog and absolutely adores being out in the snow! Tommy on the other hand is only really suited to light snow!

By the way, I'd recommend applying a good paw balm for winter walks to protect against snow, ice and salt. The boys also have different coats that they wear depending on how cold it is. Jasper tends to run around like a mad man and so we often have to remove his coat though as he gets too hot!

As always you can click/tap each photo to enlarge it.

Jasper in the Ochil Hills (Jan 2020) (click/tap to enlarge)

Jasper going mad for a VERY snowy Ochils! (Jan 2021)

Jasper, Ochil Hills (Jan 2021)

Jasper bathed in the late afternoon sunlight with a snowy Dumyat in the background. Ochil Hills (Jan 2021)

Kitted out for another very snowy walk in the Ochils! (Feb 2021)

Jasper in the Ochils with the Forth Valley stretching out behind him way down below (Feb 2021)

A flock of birds cross the wintry fields near Menstrie with The Wallace Monument and Dumyat in the background (Feb 2021)

A pair of swans navigating the River Devon near Cambus (Feb 2021)

The Three Sisters with a dusting of snow, near Glencoe (Nov 2021)

Tommy enjoys the snow too, as long as it's not very deep! Ochil Hills (Feb 2022).

Jasper overcome with excitement on the snowy path up to Dumyat, Ochil Hills (Feb 2022)

Jasper under the old road bridge on the path between Menstrie and Cambus (Dec 2022)

Tommy looking serious in a snowy Alva (think he spotted another dog!) (Dec 2022)

Tommy seems to have taken his happy pills! Glen Devon, Ochil Hills (Dec 2022)

PLEASE BE SURE TO READ OUR DISCLAIMER WHICH ALSO INCLUDES IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION.

St Andrews, Fife

Jasper and Tommy having an awesome time running around West Sands (click/tap to enlarge)

St Andrews in Fife is one of our favourite places to visit. The main attraction for Jasper and Tommy is the huge West Sands beach (as immortalised in the iconic film "Chariots of Fire"). There's lots of free parking just over the dunes from the beach with regular signposted paths that cut between the fenced off areas of the dunes. We prefer to park a fair way up the beach as it's much quieter but you can access the bottom of the beach from the town itself too.

The beach is popular with dog walkers and it's a fab place for Jasper and Tommy to run around. Jasper has a tendency to find anything that's washed up so if you also have a dog who does that, keep a close eye as there's likely to be the odd dead fish and bird on the beach. If visiting in warmer weather, as always, be alert for jellyfish too.

It's also well worth parking in the town and having a wander around. There's lots of historic buildings to see: the ruins of St Andrews Cathedral and St Andrews Castle, along with the various buildings of the prestigious university. If you visit on a Sunday, the world famous main golf course ("The Old Course") is closed to golfers and open to walkers and their dogs too! The town is pretty dog friendly with many shops having water bowls outside and allowing dogs in.

I haven't provided walking routes as you can wander the town, golf course and beach easily enough via as long or short a route as desired. You'll find links to car parks on Google Maps at the end of the article. Information is current as of our last visit in November 2022. All images can be clicked/tapped to enlarge.

Here are some pictures from our visit to West Sands last month:

Jasper and Tommy love running along the water's edge (click/tap to enlarge)

Little Tommy never wins the chasing games!

Jasper looking pretty happy to be on the beach!

Looking down the beach towards the town

Quick rest and photo opp!

Lots of sea birds behind Jasper that he doesn't seem to be reacting to!

Spoke too soon!

Jasper's very satisfied with himself having chased off the seabird threat!

View up the beach towards Eden Estuary and Tentsmuir Forest beyond

"Oo, wonder what's in here!"

"Did you see me? I'm digging a hole!"

"OK, back to work now! Byeee!"

Tommy, ever the happy chappie!

Jasper with St Andrews in the distance

The great stand-off!

Tommy looking cute with the dunes behind him

Lastly, here are a few more photos taken from previous visits over the last year or two.

St Andrews from West Sands

Ornate gate at All Saints Church

St Andrews Castle

St Andrews Castle and Castle Sands

The coast near the cathedral

The coast near the cathedral

St Rules Tower, St Andrews Cathedral

Graveyard, St Andrews Cathedral

Looking towards St Andrews Castle with St Andrews Cathedral on the left

St Andrews Cathedral

Link to West Sands parking on Google Maps

NB there is parking all the way along the West Sands road, so you can continue further along if you want to avoid the crowds nearer the town end of the beach. You can also find some sections that are further away from the golf course.

Link to Bruce Embankment Car Park on Google Maps

NB this is the main pay and display car park for the town. It's also close to the town end of West Sands and the golf course. Charges apply between April and September. If visiting on a Sunday, you can also find free parking places dotted around the town.

PLEASE BE SURE TO READ OUR DISCLAIMER WHICH ALSO INCLUDES IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION.

Strachur walk towards Meall Rheamar, Cowal Peninsula, Argyll and Bute

Jasper and Tommy with the view out to Loch Eck behind them (click/tap to enlarge)

Here's the last of our Cowal Peninsula walks from September. This one is a short jaunt up Meall Rheamar hill where there are lovely views out to Loch Fyne in one direction and Loch Eck in the other. It's a there and back route of 0.6 miles each way via a rough and fairly steep path. The views of Loch Fyne are not as impressive as they are from the Strachur Masts but it's a much shorter route and there are great views in multiple directions.

The route starts from opposite Strachur Primary School and there is on road parking outside the school. You can also park in the car park near Strachur Smithy in the village and walk to the school from there if preferred. Links to both these locations on Google Maps can be found at the end of the article, along with route maps and GPX navigation file. Information is current as of our last visit in September 2022. All images can be clicked/tapped to enlarge.

The first part of the route is via a wide track (click/tap to enlarge)

As the route climbs, the views open up

The route takes a sharp right and the path becomes rough and narrow

Great views in all directions

Looking out to Loch Fyne. If you zoom in, you can see the Strachur Masts on the hillside to the right, as featured in an earlier walk.

Jasper having a good old run around!

Looking out to Loch Eck in the distance

Tommy has mastered the art of standing / sitting on things for photos!

Jasper looking pretty pleased with himself!

Route overview and surrounding area (route marked in red) (click/tap to enlarge)

Car parking locations

Route detail

Link to start location on Google Maps

Link to alternate parking location on Google Maps

Download GPX navigation file (from Google Drive)

PLEASE BE SURE TO READ OUR DISCLAIMER WHICH ALSO INCLUDES IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION.