Aviemore sled dog rally 2012.

The snow has returned and the surrounding mountains and lower ground is covered. Although it is very pretty to look at it is also very useful this weekend for the biggest husky race in Britain around Loch Morlich near Aviemore. About 1,000 sled dogs take part including Alaskan malamutes,samoyeds and Canadian Eskimo dogs. These are guided by 200 teams of human "mushers" and are encouraged by over 3,000 spectators. The first rally took place in 1984 with just 12 teams but now this annual event is one of the biggest gatherings of its kind in the world.
Although we are not going to watch we can imagine the excitement. We have been to Loch Morlich several times in the warmer weather and viewed it in the distance as we looked down from the top of the funicular railway and also enjoyed many a picnic beside the loch - even sharing it with the many noisy ducks.