Craig of Bunzeach - Strathdon

[Gordon Ballantyne]

Extra walk day for Harvey. My eldest grandson Chris had some time off, so came along to look after me. I'd never been along the back road to Strathdon and it's substantial church, so the drive was a first.

Strathdon Church

We passed a footbridge over the Don which had a flock of Oystercatchers arrayed along the parapit.

Flock of Oystercatchers on the bridge at Brugh

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We parked up at the road-end to Belnagauld farm in a passing place. The entrance to Belnagauld was quite generous, so we didn't impare the passing place function.

Parkup for Bunzean at Belnagauld road end

As we kitted up,we could see horses in the field opposite and what looked like a stables over the way. We walked up the road to the farm and cut across a field bordering the forest to avoid the farm buildings. Ripped the crutch oot o ma breeks hopping over the fence onto the track.

Chris and H on the way up Bunzeach

The trees on Cnoc na h-lolair had been clear felled recently, so at the top there was no cover, so we went down the track to the north for our piece behind some young trees.

Piece stop near the top of Bunzeach

Chris and H guarding the summit strainer of Bunzeach

Morven behind H from Bunzeach

So far, we'd missed the rain showers and the sun even came out while we had out piece. Not wanting to push our luck with the weather, we headed down by the pond in the mini-bealach, where we disturbed a male Mallard, as Harvey went for an early bath. We returned by the farm to avoid shredding ma breeks on the fence. No-one seemed to stir - not even the customary farm dog
We just got back to the car when the rain started, so Chris was immediately promoted to my lucky weather charm - sorry Harvey, you were demoted for today ! ( He has had virtually a 100% record for this winter )
We stopped for a snack at the Afford Bistro to check it out for a watering stop for an "auld grouchy's " outing to the new Macallan distillery in May.
It was great to spend time with my grandson Chis, who updated me on all the current offshore gossip and goings-on. Magic !