Happy Hogmanay …!
To all our Facebook friends and family, wherever you are, happy Hogmanay, and very best wishes for good health and happiness in 2020 … 😘
Alison’s Facebook post: https://bit.ly/2QEHiy6 , 31st December, 2019
A Winter Wonder …!
We were hiking in a disconcertingly mild 12 degrees C (!) at nearby Craigievar today. The “fairytale” pink castle attracting visitors from around the world even now in the winter season … 😊
Alison’s Facebook post: https://t.ly/2GzP5 , 29th December, 2019
Dark Sky …!
The view from our doorstep as we head out…….best not forget the waterproofs …! 😊
Alison’s Facebook post: https://bit.ly/2Q3Tc5P , 28th December, 2019
Happy Christmas …!
To all our Facebook friends and family, wherever you are, we wish you a very Happy Christmas … 😊 😘
Alison’s Facebook post: https://bit.ly/2ETdVmc , 24th December, 2019
Heating A Hoary Old Hobbit in Huntly …!
Walking up on the Battlehill in the cold and mist this morning, we couldn’t help but feel Huntly and the surrounding hills were looking quite Tolkienesque …! 😊
Alison’s Facebook post: https://bit.ly/2tGU4o2 , 24th December, 2019
Walk (103) Kincardine O’Neil-Hill of Dess Circuit (Aberdeenshire)
This is a pleasant and undemanding walk in a mixed rural environment on Deeside, with a final section along the River Dee itself. There are splendid views throughout. The walk starts and finishes at the historic ruin of the Auld Kirk of St Mary in Kincardine O’Neil, the oldest village 
on Deeside, before heading gently uphill on a section of the Old Military Road that ran from Fochabers to Fettercairn, completed in 1761. From the highest point, on the Dess Ridge, the route gradually descends to the Dee riverbank. Kincardine O’Neil was, for centuries, an important river crossing place, on the ancient route over the Cairn O’Mount … 😀
John’s Facebook post: https://bit.ly/2ZgbvI1 , 23rd December, 2019
Walking At The Winter Solstice …
On the eve of the winter solstice, daylight hours are in short supply up here in the north east of Scotland. We made the most of what we had today, though, walking in crisp, cold and bright light over by Aboyne … 😊
Alison’s Facebook post: https://t.ly/mlyp , 21st December, 2019
Birthday Girl …!
A very special present. Thank you, John Allan Mackenzie 😁 I was lucky enough to see a mountain hare close up on Morven one wintry day a fair few years ago. They’re quite something. Cute? Maybe. Smart, strong and resilient? Most certainly.💙 Andy Howard photographs them with such skill and, more importantly, with such respect … 😁
Alison’s Facebook post: https://t.ly/VxN1e , 21st December, 2019
Walk (102) Kemnay-Fetternear-Cot-town Wood Circuit (Aberdeenshire)
This is an enjoyable ramble in mixed woodland and rolling farmland on the ancient Fetternear Estate. The route offers some fine views of the Bennachie range, whilst the historical focal point on the route is the ruin of the House of Fetternear. The lands of Fetternear were owned by the 
mediaeval Bishops of Aberdeen, and the original building was a Bishop’s Palace, built in 1226. The earliest of the ruins still standing, however, originate from 1566 and were owned by the Clan Leslie family… 😀
John’s Facebook post: https://bit.ly/2YWb4Ct , 17th December, 2019
Snowy Strathdon …
Cold and wintry over in Strathdon today. The planned walk route was shortened somewhat …! 🥶😊
Alison’s Facebook post: https://bit.ly/2YVJVzD , 17th December, 2019
Nature in the Raw (Cold, that is) …!
Squirrel-gnawed pine cones, brightest orange fungi and hardy (Cumbrian Herdwick!) sheep. A typical winter’s day out and about in the Aberdeenshire countryside … 😊💙
Alison’s Facebook post: https://bit.ly/2soZQds , 14th December, 2019
Familiar Fetternear …
We were in very familiar territory today – walking at Fetternear and visiting what remains of the Bishop’s Palace … 😊💙
Alison’s Facebook post: https://t.ly/wn1vk , 14th December, 2019
Belwade Farm Ramble …
It was blowing a blizzard high up on snow-covered Morven, and the chill wind was nipping at our ears as we walked near Aboyne this morning. The hardy wee Shelties at Belwade weren’t fussed, though … 😁
Alison’s Facebook post: https://t.ly/xNY6e , 11th December, 2019
Between Showers …!
There was a raw chill in the air and the landscape was almost colourless over Fyvie direction today. All the same, it was good to be outdoors and getting some exercise. And, we just about made it back to the car before the heavens opened. Result …! 😁
Alison’s Facebook post: https://bit.ly/2YoLS7p , 7th December, 2019
Our Garden Make-over – Part 1 – 2 …
More garden renovations part 1. Planting in the spring time comes next … 🌿🌼🍃💚
Alison’s Facebook post: https://bit.ly/33USlId , 7th December, 2019
Our Garden Make-over – Part 1 – 1 …
“Challenging conditions” puts it mildly. I don’t think it could have been more wet. Nothing stopped Wilbur and Jack, though. They’ve done such a great job on garden renovations part 1 …! 💚😁
Alison’s Facebook post: https://bit.ly/2Ru3MEn , 7th December, 2019
Walk (100) North Third Reservoir-Lewis Hill Crags (Stirling)
This is a short but exhilarating walk around the North Third Reservoir to the west of Stirling. The reservoir has attractive wooded islands, and occupies a beautiful setting, set off by the impressive crags on the west face of pine-clad Lewis Hill. The short ascent to the crags is soon 
rewarded by some stunning views opening up to the picturesque reservoir, the surrounding farmland, and further afield to some distinctive Highland mountains … 😀
John’s Facebook post: https://t.ly/gyKPW , 4th December, 2019
Walk (099) Culross – Country and Heritage Walk (Fife)
This is a memorable ramble along the coastline and into the countryside around and about the charming and historic village of Culross on the banks of the Firth of Forth. The route also takes us to the ruins of a pre-Reformation church from the early 16thC, with a 
commanding view over the coastline, and the impressive partial ruins of Culross Abbey, a former Cistercian abbey, founded in 1217. The final section explores Culross itself, a very special place, acknowledged as one of the most picturesque villages in Scotland … 😀
John’s Facebook post: https://t.ly/P65qV , 3rd December, 2019
Towpath Trails Today …!
It was a day of walking by canals – not something we can readily do at home! The Union canal and the Forth & Clyde canal – both near Falkirk and both frozen in parts! …! 😊
Alison’s Facebook post: https://bit.ly/2OBa3My , 1st December, 2019
Spectacular Sprites on Ice …
We met the famous Kelpies for the first time, today. Modelled on Duke and Baron, rescue Clydesdale horses, they’re quite spectacular. Walking the Forth & Clyde canal close by, it was cold, bright and beautiful … 😊
Alison’s Facebook post: https://bit.ly/2Y5zpoR , 1st December, 2019
The Mack Walks 