One of my first jobs when we arrive at a new holiday destination with the dogs is to look for a good dog walk, at the Boat of Garten there are plenty to choose from, be it along the River Spey or through the Forests, I chose the latter. The walk follows the main street for several yards before heading into the woodland behind the Community centre. The track continues past a lovely view point near Fairy Hill which overlooks the River Spey below. Following a forest path the trail leads to what looked to have been a wood yard many years ago. The path continues off to the right between huge Scottish Pine trees, Red Squirrels busily scampering up the tree trunks picking up the small cones which they break down to get to the seeds. After a short walk you reach Loch Vaa, a lovely place, very quiet and quite eerie. The Loch looks to be stocked with Brown Trout. We often used to sit at the water’s edge watching the crossbills and squirrels in the trees and occasionally the fish would come to the surface, just breaking the water with their dorsal fin before they disappeared into the deeper water, all very tranquil. There are many tracks to follow in the forest so it would be very wise to keep a map and compass with you just in case you get disorientated.