Fungle to Firmouth

This was a fourteen mile walk although it felt like 22. Starting at 10am we were walking until 5.30pm with only a couple of half-hour breaks. The terrain was variable, not 'difficult' as such, but you had to watch every step and "look after your ankles" (as I was told many moons ago and have remembered religiously since).

En route the weather changed often and there were such clear spells that at one point (it's in the photos but not adjusted for the correct distance) you could see the sea, 30 miles away, and Lochnagar - 60 miles inland.

The timber shelters tucked into the hillside (a close-up is included) are 'Grouse Butts'.

The scenery tells the story of the walk . . .

Unforgettable sky

Copyright Bernie Ross 2007

3 Walks in 1

We started at Dinnet and walked along the old railway line footpath.

When it's flat and straight it feels a long way.

But it was a lovely day: bright and cool, just right for a long brisk walk.

The textures and colours were never tedious, a constant source of wonder.

Looking back, looking forward . . . it would be easy to go wrong!

And as the path veered beside the River Dee we came to Cambus o' May, the famous white bridge.

And from here we left the path and linked with another, heading for the Burn o' Vat.

Higher up the hill the weather seemed warmer, brighter, windier. The hills (Lochnagar) in the distance are blanked out by the sun's glare.
The colours were repeatedly stunning.

A hilly walk through a different type of wood leads us to the Burn o' Vat . . .

Dramatic

Eerie. Cool

Creepy

It's time to move on and walk towards Loch Kinord, the third link in our '3 in 1' walk.

Another woody path . . . .

. . . takes us to the tranquility

history . . . and beauty

all around the loch.