Another walk, another loch



We returned to Edinburgh by the twisting inland route through Braemar and Glenshee, which gave us the chance to fit in another walk before returning to the city.  I will write more soon about my Edinburgh gloom, but for just now let's have another sunny day out in the hills.  The road south from Braemar passes the starting point of the walk to Loch Callater, another easy walk on the flat of about 7 miles.

The path is part of a track known as 'Jock's Road', which refers to a key episode in the history of Scottish land access when in the late nineteenth century the owner of the estate in this area tried to ban all access to the estate.  John Winter ('Jock') fought for the right to walk this route, which followed the track of an old cattle drove road used to drive cattle to markets in the south.  Legal action in the case went as far as the House of Lords.  The case led to the passing of the Scottish Rights of Way Act.  Recently in 2005 the Scottish Land Reform Act gave further rights to walkers. 




Some sections of the bank beside the burn were planted with native trees, in a similar conservation effort to the one we'd seen at Loch Muick.  It all looked very bare and contrived, and I'd love to return in a few years to see the trees looking more natural in the landscape.

At the approach to the loch is Callater Loch Lodge.  The building with the green shutters is used for shooting and deer-stalking parties from the estate.   To the right are the former stables, now used as a bothy for overnight shelter by walkers. We had a chat with an estate worker who was doing work on the interior of the lodge.  He was accompanied by a huge Rhodesian Ridgeback dog, who turned out to be a real softie.  I was glad all the same that we were introduced to him as friends.


It turned out that the man we were talking to had built the cairn standing on a hillock just beyond the lodge, in celebration of the Queen's diamond jubilee.  He told us all about how he'd built it, sourcing a stone from every farm on the estate.  After such a build-up we felt we had no option but to climb up and take a respectful look at it.
 

Here it is from the other side, all solemn and loyal in its lonely setting.
 


We had lunch beside the loch, listening to the wind and the cry of a curlew, and watching a diver out on the water.
 


Behind us, pools in the heather teemed with yet more frogs.  Here's one adopting 'classic frog sunbathing posture'.
 


You've maybe noticed that everything is still wintry-brown.  Spring comes late in the hills here.  There were some startling patches of colour however from mosses in the boggier sections near the burn.
 

The twisted black stems are burnt heather branches; the aftermath of the practice of muir-burn.
 


Back in the car and heading south, we passed Glenshee, one of Scotland's ski areas.

Just downhill from the ski area we came across large heather fires.  
 

Two days of walking in the spring sun left us with the classic Scottish walkers' suntan, which stops abruptly at mid neck and wrists. Still, I would rather have that than the lying on a beach sort.

Comments

  1. I enjoyed the photos from your walk. I'd love to visit Scotland! And I agree, I'd rather have the classic Scottish walkers suntan anyday! :)

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    1. I'm sure you would enjoy our hills, Linda. You must visit one day!

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  2. Wow that is just beautiful. And what a labour of love that cairn is. Yes, I agree with you about the tan! I'm so glad you've had these countryside adventures.

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    1. The cairn-builder was so proud - it was lovely. We really enjoyed talking with him.

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  3. A gorgeous area to be hiking in. I would love to be there.

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    1. We were lucky with the weather - it's not always like this. But even in rain it would have its own beauty.

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  4. I've enjoyed this tour, Linda! It is so unlike the landscape here in Ontario.

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    1. Very different! Our daughter loves your Ontario landscapes of lakes and forests after two summers there. Different wildernesses, and each with its own beauty.

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  5. Replies
    1. Thank you - glad you enjoyed them as a fellow Scot!

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  6. You have such a beautiful landscape in which to walk!

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    1. We are in danger of taking it for granted sometimes. I find blogging helps me to appreciate just how special it is. I'm sure you must find that about your own home area.

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  7. Lovely photos Linda - that water looks quite chilly and the snow on the hills is quite surprising to see. JudyX

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    1. It never entered my head to test the water - there must be a deeply engrained Scottish folk memory that says 'not worth the bother - you know it'll be freezing'.

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  8. Thank you for taking us along with you on such a stunning walk - the scenery is breath-taking, especially that first view of the loch. It's been a breath of fresh air accompanying you into the mountains. Glad you had a good trip :)
    Cathy x

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  9. very beautiful photos - I love Scotland :)
    fire hydrants will be back ;)

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