walkhighlands

Seaside saunter with dogs

Route: Findlater Castle from Cullen

Date walked: 08/03/2022

Time taken: 4 hours

Distance: 9.5km

A windy, but sunny winter's day on the coast (I'm blaming the wind for it taking us more than 4 hours to complete the walk). We parked at the square (no charge) and used the public toilets, please donate as volunteers care for them. It's a lovely square and we were a bit distracted by window shopping, but soon we were underway.

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To the harbour

Down at the harbour we found a small beach where we let the dogs off for a little runabout, only afterwards we saw a no dogs sign! I assume it's for the summer when bathers are enjoying the beach and waters.

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Fun in the sand

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Oops

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Weather forecast

A short stretch of minor road takes you to the path and pet cemetery. I've never seen a pet cemetery before, only in the grounds of grand homes, so this was a bit unusual.

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Pet cemy

We continued on the path which gradually became smaller as we navigated the headland, it was a bit rocky in places and a bit up and down, but the scenery was spectacular.

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The strong wind blasted ripples over the sea, creating shapes reminiscent of flowers as they went in all directions. We could see the colours of the rainbow in the sea sprays and sea birds skydiving.

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A little rockier now

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And a little steeper

There are lots of points of interest along this path, including the sad story of the French hermit who lived in a lean-to here, it's worth a read and a pause for thought.
We eventually reached a stretch of beach and for lack of judgement we went off the path and onto the beach. It was exhilarating and exfoliating at the same time, a painful sandstorm, but we relented and lost our path as we went too far along the beach. We soon found our way back and up the hillside we went. The path now runs alongside some arable fields with lots of gorse on the other side (and probably rabbits too).

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Exfoliation time

Not far along we finally reached Findlater Castle and what a cracking castle it is, not much left of it now and with climate change who knows how long it will be there. Go while you can! We'd come all this way so we had to explore, but it was terrifying and nerve-wracking. We're both scared of heights so at times we were on all fours, peeking over the edges. It's well worth having a look around, but take extra care. We found a lovely spot there, in the sun and out of the wind, to have a well deserved lunch before heading back the way we came.

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Findlater castle
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Careful now!

The walk description here is a bit vague, but go back to the bit where the salmon bothy was and up the hill, you'll soon pass the caravan park and find your way back to the square.
This is a brilliant walk for dogs and humans, just be mindful at the castle, steep cliffs and a long way down.

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YvonneSoSt



Munros: 20
Corbetts: 8
Fionas: 3
Donalds: 1
Wainwrights: 4
Hewitts: 1
Sub 2000: 8
Islands: 6



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Statistics

2022

Trips: 4
Distance: 33.75 km

2021

Trips: 5
Distance: 38 km


Joined: Oct 13, 2013
Last visited: Mar 13, 2024
Total posts: 10 | Search posts