Storm Eowyn had passed, but low cloud and persistent rain arrived in Speyside about the same time as I did and seemed to be set in for my whole visit.

Hills seemed pretty pointless so I decided to head out to the Giant's Chair, I walked down towards the Dufftown Distillery, turning left by some cottages to cross Dullan Water where there is a well-made path through woodland, popular with dog-walkers.






I negotiated one or two boggy and slippy spots and fairly soon arrived at the viewpoint for the "chair" which wasn't quite as spectacular as I'd expected, but the story of Malcolm II plotting victory over a Norse army there (the actual battle site being unknown and disputed by some) added interest.





By this time it was raining steadily and I carried on a short way to the bridge which is closed after a fair bit of damage mainly to the handrails. I decided I'd seen a lot of bridges in worse condition and (strictly at my own risk - don't try this at home etc. . .) climbed over the barrier and carefully and steadily walked across.



From here I followed the path across the field and turned up to the minor road which I followed to the Dufftown Distillery. Here I crossed Dullan Water and took the lower track back towards the town. Another bridge took me over to the Mortlach Distillery at which point I decided I could hardly get any wetter and I extended the walk by taking the road towards Keith before cutting up on a worn path into woodland and finally down, stopping to say hello to the Highland cattle before passing Balvenie Castle and the Glenfiddich Distillery on the way back to the start.