Walk (127) Coull-Tarland Way-Gallow Hill Circuit (Aberdeenshire)
This gentle little hike provides fine views of the scenic landscape of the Howe of Cromar framed by the imposing backdrop of Morven Hill. The first section follows the Tarland Way through farmland alongside the Tarland Burn, while the return route ascends onto the pine-forested slopes above 
Coull House before dropping back to the old Coull kirk … 
John’s Facebook post: https://tinyurl.com/yxrvpdwg , 31st August, 2020
A Coull Day …!
Walking at Coull, between Tarland and Aboyne today, there was most definitely an autumnal chill in the air … 
Alison’s Facebook post: https://tinyurl.com/y6hteaem , 29th August, 2020
Hot Diggity Dogs …!
It was International Dog’s Day earlier in the week, so any excuse to share some (there are many more!) of my old K9 walking crew. 
Hooch, Rex and Tiny no longer with us, sadly, but the others all now happily adopted and living the good life. So many miles walked together, so many snack-stops, so many happy memories…..so much fun … 
Alison’s Facebook post: https://tinyurl.com/y2h6s9qo , 29th August, 2020
Home Sweet Home …
We’re delighted with our garden.
It’s great to see how much the plants have come on in only a few months.
Alison’s Facebook post: https://tinyurl.com/y5hntmgw , 25th August, 2020
Walk (126) Cothiemuir Hill-Turf Hill Circuit (Aberdeenshire)
This is a great wee hill walk with an impressive finale at the ancient Cothiemuir Stone Circle. Most of the route is on a heather hillside with good views in all directions. There is an energetic ascent, passing abandoned grouse butts, to Turf Hill, one of the lower tops on the Bennachie range. It overlooks Keig on the south-western edge of the range, which provides a marvellous viewpoint …
John’s Facebook post: https://tinyurl.com/y3odoq9d , 24th August, 2020
Up Among The Heather (Again!) …
Purple heather dominated the landscape once again as we climbed Turf Hill this afternoon. The company was good and the weather stayed dry (almost….) …
Alison’s Facebook post: https://tinyurl.com/y2zvdxzu , 22nd August, 2020
Worth A Try …!
Some of this week’s feathered friends. The young ones have been feeding on their own for some time now, of course, but this wee guy thought he’d grab a snack from mum/dad anyhow …
Alison’s Facebook post: https://tinyurl.com/y3n5hujf , 21st August, 2020
Local Locations …
Some snaps taken on various local walks this week …
Alison’s Facebook post: https://tinyurl.com/y4ytxfwv , 20th August, 2020
Walk (125) Forest of Birse Circuit (Aberdeenshire)
This route makes a gentle ascent onto the heather-clad southern slopes of the Forest of Birse, where there are wonderful views over the little green valley with its tumbling burns, patchwork of fields, a baronial castle, and a little 19thC church. There are 3 fords to be crossed on this walk so please consider carefully if this walk will suit you …? 🤔
John’s Facebook post: https://tinyurl.com/y53ocxfl , 18th August, 2020
Stepping Out …!
We had to ford three burns along the way today – each one missing the one vital stepping stone that would have kept our feet dry …! 🏊♀️ 🤣
John’s Facebook post: https://tinyurl.com/y6gdtnaf , 15th August, 2020
A Fine Day At The Forest of Birse …
A beautiful route at Birse this afternoon – blue skies, purple hills…..and a return to the walking temperatures we became accustomed to in Tenerife …! 🥵😁💙
Alison’s Facebook post: https://tinyurl.com/yyx9cmu6 , 15th August, 2020
Fishermen Friends …!
Walking east along the River Don from Haughton Park this afternoon. How kind of the angler’s association to keep the path from getting overgrown …! 😁
Alison’s Facebook post: https://tinyurl.com/y68vyvel , 14th August, 2020
A Charm of Goldfinches …
The feeders have been quiet this week – there must be tastier options elsewhere.😊 So here’s some favourites of the goldfinch gang (plus one wee Siskin!) … 💙
Alison’s Facebook post: https://tinyurl.com/y58o78df , 14th August, 2020
Walk (124) Lazy Wells-Baderonoch Hill Circuit (Towie – Aberdeenshire)
This route offers some wonderful low hill-walking. Leaving upland farm fields behind, and after a gradual climb up a grass and heather hillside with grazing sheep, views open out on your left side to a green valley that stretches out to join the River Don valley near Kildrummie. After passing the scenic Lazy Well lochans, the route climbs to the summit of Baderonoch Hill. Marvellous views open out to the Howe of Cromar on one side, and upper Donside on the other, dominated by the imposing bulk of Morven, to the immediate south-west … 😀
John’s Facebook post: https://tinyurl.com/y5k5e22x , 11th August, 2020
All Around The Bloomin’ Heather …
Crossing into the Cairngorms National Park from time to time, this walk on Baderonoch Hill is a cracker. Purple heather season has well and truly arrived … 😊💙
Alison’s Facebook post: https://tinyurl.com/y2c5d98v , 8th August, 2020
Garden Goings On …!
So the goldfinch gang have mostly moved on to a barley field down the road. But, the siskins and chaffinches stay loyal. The great tit came calling again this week, too … 😊💙
Alison’s Facebook post: https://tinyurl.com/yxmcj8lu , 8th August, 2020
Family Favourites …
It was good to catch up Denis and Ann Ewen this afternoon for the first time in months. What a beautiful garden they have – the photos here are just a tiny snapshot. We left, as usual at this time of year, laden with home grown fruit and veg. The new tatties already scoffed tonight – the last few with butter, of course …! 😊💙
Alison’s Facebook post: https://tinyurl.com/yxk9de6z , 6th August, 2020
Ms. Woodie Wows …!
And, from yesterday, some pics of “our” female adult woodpecker … 😊💙
Alison’s Facebook post: https://tinyurl.com/yxe6ozms , 4th August, 2020
Sometimes Sunshine And Showers …
Our walking plans today were (heavily) rained off. So here’s some sunshine pics taken over the last few days … 😊
Alison’s Facebook post: https://tinyurl.com/y2ouk8o4 , 4th August, 2020
Walk (123) Portsoy-Strathmarchin Bay Ramble (Aberdeenshire)
This is an excellent short coastal walk to a delightful and secluded sandy beach east of Portsoy. From King’s Head point, nearby, there are fine views east along the coast towards Troup Head. On the return route, at the old coastguard viewpoint on East Head there are also superb views westwards. The route also takes in the pretty Loch Soy park in the centre of Portsoy, and the picturesque and charming old harbour area, with buildings dating back to the 16th C … 😀
John’s Facebook post: https://tinyurl.com/y2ttqlu7 , 3rd August, 2020
Picture Postcard Portsoy …
Pretty Portsoy – start and end point of today’s walk … 😊💙
Alison’s Facebook post: https://tinyurl.com/y2vvueem , 1st August, 2020
Secret StrathMarchin Bay …!
Portsoy beach was super-busy when we arrived there this morning. A couple of kilometres east, though, and we had it all to ourselves … 😊💙
Alison’s Facebook post: https://tinyurl.com/y6o8x37w , 1st August, 2020
The Mack Walks 