Forum Discussion
sabconsulting
Sep 07, 2013Explorer
Thursday
We headed west along the River Dee. Here is a restored relic of our motoring yesteryears – back to the days when your road service wore a smart military-style uniform and saluted members as they passed:
Inside I was disappointed to find it was no automobile-related Tardis, but had been stocked with leaflets describing local attractions.
The Dee has several attractive suspension foot-bridges crossing it. As you can see it is also prime fly fishing territory (I can imagine ReHoppe there casting into the bubbling stream).
A few miles further we turned and headed up a dead-end road climbing along the edge of the Royal Balmoral estate. You can’t visit the estate this month as its ‘owners’ are there enjoying it (and undoubtedly the grouse shooting). But up here you can hike across the top of the estate (for personal safety try to avoid looking like a stag).
A very interesting Ranger station included exhibits on the wildlife present, and a whiteboard for younger visitors to record the wildlife they had seen. I was impressed by people spotting Adders, our native poisonous snake (a form of Viper I believe) – I’ve never seen one in all my years of walking, but our neighbours cat did bring one into her house a few years back.
Notice the other species spotted. I especially like the “pine tree” someone recorded in the woodland section, and the impressive selection of squashed frogs. I also notice that The Queen is to be found in the moorland habitat, possibly because the other habitats are less suitable for access via her Land Rover.
Down in the valley disappointed German tourists returned from pressing their noses against the locked Balmoral gates. The little bridge in the foreground was designed by I.K. Brunel.
Further west along the valley at Braemar a castle at the other end of the ownership spectrum could be visited, though it wasn’t open today. This one is owned by the community as a whole and looked after by enthusiasts.
Come Saturday Braemar would host the annual Highland Games. Frustratingly we wouldn’t be around that day, because it would be a great event to experience. We did stop in the village for a healthy lunch – notice Sally’s cheesy fries and my haggis sandwich.
We crossed over another mountain pass (and ski resort) and then headed east again, stopping at Captain Scott’s memorial in the foot hills. It was being carefully maintained by a young stone mason – great to see another generation keeping traditional local skills alive.
That night we stayed at the croft of Sally’s relatives Frank and Jane, which involved a late night and drinking slightly too much.
Stay tuned for more…
We headed west along the River Dee. Here is a restored relic of our motoring yesteryears – back to the days when your road service wore a smart military-style uniform and saluted members as they passed:
Inside I was disappointed to find it was no automobile-related Tardis, but had been stocked with leaflets describing local attractions.
The Dee has several attractive suspension foot-bridges crossing it. As you can see it is also prime fly fishing territory (I can imagine ReHoppe there casting into the bubbling stream).
A few miles further we turned and headed up a dead-end road climbing along the edge of the Royal Balmoral estate. You can’t visit the estate this month as its ‘owners’ are there enjoying it (and undoubtedly the grouse shooting). But up here you can hike across the top of the estate (for personal safety try to avoid looking like a stag).
A very interesting Ranger station included exhibits on the wildlife present, and a whiteboard for younger visitors to record the wildlife they had seen. I was impressed by people spotting Adders, our native poisonous snake (a form of Viper I believe) – I’ve never seen one in all my years of walking, but our neighbours cat did bring one into her house a few years back.
Notice the other species spotted. I especially like the “pine tree” someone recorded in the woodland section, and the impressive selection of squashed frogs. I also notice that The Queen is to be found in the moorland habitat, possibly because the other habitats are less suitable for access via her Land Rover.
Down in the valley disappointed German tourists returned from pressing their noses against the locked Balmoral gates. The little bridge in the foreground was designed by I.K. Brunel.
Further west along the valley at Braemar a castle at the other end of the ownership spectrum could be visited, though it wasn’t open today. This one is owned by the community as a whole and looked after by enthusiasts.
Come Saturday Braemar would host the annual Highland Games. Frustratingly we wouldn’t be around that day, because it would be a great event to experience. We did stop in the village for a healthy lunch – notice Sally’s cheesy fries and my haggis sandwich.
We crossed over another mountain pass (and ski resort) and then headed east again, stopping at Captain Scott’s memorial in the foot hills. It was being carefully maintained by a young stone mason – great to see another generation keeping traditional local skills alive.
That night we stayed at the croft of Sally’s relatives Frank and Jane, which involved a late night and drinking slightly too much.
Stay tuned for more…
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