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Black Hill and Dunnottar Castle

Black Hill and Dunnottar Castle


Postby litljortindan » Wed Nov 24, 2021 7:36 pm

Route description: Dunnottar Castle, from Stonehaven

Date walked: 23/11/2021

Time taken: 1.5 hours

Distance: 3 km

Ascent: 100m

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Weather forecast pointed me in a southerly direction. Been to Dunnottar Castle many times but always with company so never really taking time to explore views of the castle. I thought too that a dawn walk would compensate for the over familiarity of the setting. Plus, if I added in a diversion to Black Hill I would at least have stretched my legs a little bit.
Things have changed since my last visit -a new car park layout and a closed road i.e. no onwards access to Stonehaven or any other parking spot. So that at least decided the route for me. I had considered a longer walk to maybe go as far south as Crawton but ChrisW's report of rabbit holes and overgrowth put me off.

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You've probably seen Dunnottar Castle photos lots of times but maybe not so many pre-dawn!

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Not much to see in the semi-dark but I've got quite fond of pre-dawn light.

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Plan is to head north on the path marked by this post and then double back from Black Hill in time for sunrise.

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Plenty of coastal scenery to admire in the meantime.

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Looking back at the castle I guess I'm not going to get as spectacular a sunrise as I did at St Combs.

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Easy path makes for fast going, even for me.

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Looking back at the castle again.

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In terms of views it's either look north or south.

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Maybe not as impressive sideways on but still quite striking.

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At last, a views east!

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Information board about the war memorial on Black Hill. Just a few metres up to the memorial.

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View north east.

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Hurrying back to the castle for sunrise.

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Lots of extra danger signs up since I was last here so can't peek through the hole in the wall.

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Tilt the camera the right way and the exposure or contrast stretch alters.

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You can just make out the two points where you used to be able to get down to the bay.

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litljortindan
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