Day 8, 2/10/26, Dunnator Castle and Woods.

 Today was our planned walk to Dunnator Castle from Stonehaven. This is the recommended way to go, if you're fit enough as it gives spectacular views of the coast as gradually Dunnator Castle comes into view. We took our time as it doesn't open until 10:00 am, and on the way we visited the Stonehaven War Memorial. Extremely blowy up on top near the memorial, but found a seat slightly more out of the wind to have our morning tea before continuing on to the castle. 

The war memorial. 
Views back to Stonehaven, we didn't get the rain.

Cuppa time!

To gain access you have to walk down from the top of the cliff edge, and then back up to the castle entrance, would of thought that would of it made it hard to over run, but still it was. I was surprised to notice that the rock its on, in fact the whole area there is not a solid outcrop of rock, but rather a mix of conglomerate rocks in soil, so no wonder that explains the rocky beaches. 

The Castle, down that path,  and then back up.
The rock. 

We wandered all around, it's a cold windy place, beautiful in a windswept rugged way, but I'm sure life was not all that pleasant for many who lived there apart from the privileged few. The rose garden, who knows if they had roses all those centuries ago, would be amazing when in flower, now it was a mass of large red rosehips. Our little ones I've seen at home are so scrawny!







Finished there we decided to walk back pat the old water reservoir, through Dunnator woods, observing Lady Kennedy's bath and the shell house along the way. Couldn't help thinking of the poem 

"If you go down in the woods today

Your sure of a big surprise

If you go down in the woods today
You better go in disguise
For every bear that ever there was
Will gather there for certain because

Today's the day the teddy bear's have their picnic" 

Their woods are so different to our bush, definitely less weeds/brush underneath in many places.




I don't mind cold water, but even I would find bathing in that creek a little refreshing, it was so cold. Being mindful that this area is where my paternal grandma came from with her family, as we wandered along the country lanes past fields etc, it could of been some of this land that formed Braehead farm, from where the Fullerton's came. The rain held off, and it actually got quite warm walking ~ must of been nearly 20 degrees, so we were ready to put our feet up back at our place. Rejuvenated Naarah and I left Tony resting, and went to check out the town. Found a nice butcher, they sell bread, veges and other assorted goods too. Then were blown along the waterfront before going back, as we both needed another cuppa. 

The area of Braehead farm.

A farmhouse in same locality


My little "bat", I'm calling it, a felted small hat cum beanie is proving great, warm, but also a little shade. Though we really stand out here for wearing hats, no-one seems too at all.


Warm!

Tonight Naarah and I quit cooking, so it was Indian for dinner, and vey nice Indian dinner at that. We're the cookers and Tony's chief washer of dishes. Still have a list of Scottish food to try, Cullen skink, haggis, IRN BRU, a traditional pub diner/lunch and lobster. So far have had home made shortbread, and tea and scones.

Loading photos playing up, these are Dunnator woods.
A very chilly bath, built into burn, Scottish name for a creek.

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