Walk (060) Auchterarder Circular (Perthshire)
This is an easy route around Auchterarder, a small town in Perth and Kinross that is home to the world famous Gleneagles Hotel and golf courses. There are good views of the southern Grampian Mountains, and a particularly fine view of Craig Rossie, in the Ochill Hills … 😃
John’s Facebook post: https://goo.gl/8eQxbB , 28th February, 2019
Little Show-Offs …!
The crocuses in the park were a wee bit bedraggled this morning after the hard frost last night but, yesterday, they were showing off … 😊
Alison’s Facebook post: https://goo.gl/81Ua7q , 27th February, 2019
Ever Decreasing Circles …!
On Saturday we had an “interesting” experience route-finding (think … ever-decreasing circles) on our walk over the Woodhead and Windy Hills Site of Special Scientific Interest. Thanks to friends Sara and John for the inspired and off-beat way-pointing … as ever …! 😃🙃😃
John’s Facebook post: https://goo.gl/9fzpV7 , 26th February, 2019
Walk (059) Woodhead-Windy Hills Circular (Aberdeenshire)
This is a very enjoyable walk, mostly in open mature pine woods and heath-land, over a Site of Special Scientific Interest formed from ancient quartzite river deposits which accumulated over the last 20 million years … 😃
John’s Facebook post: https://goo.gl/z12d5d , 26th February, 2019
Pamper Day at the Dam …!
It was a grey day weather-wise but, at Clyan’s Dam earlier, the swans and ducks were so busy preening themselves they hadn’t noticed … 😁
Alison’s Facebook post: https://goo.gl/igTj4k , 22nd February, 2019
Walk (058) Perth-River Tay North Inch Circuit (Perthshire)
This is a very satisfying “there and back” walk along the River Tay from the centre of Perth. The initial section passes the verdant North Inch park and golf course on the west side, with the grand villas and grounds at Bridgend stretching out north, on the east side of the river. The mid section gets wilder on the east side of the river until Scone Palace and Perth Racecourse are reached … 😃
John’s Facebook post: https://goo.gl/gawURg , 21st February, 2018
Overcoming High Anxiety …!
Yesterday we were checking out the RSPB Fowlsheugh Nature Reserve at Crawton to confirm a possible future walking route. It’s an amazing place, with towering cliffs and sheer drops that caused us the odd tinge of vertigo. Undaunted, we’ll be back when Spring arrives and the guillemots, razorbills and puffins have returned to nest … 😃
More pics: https://goo.gl/dKKwX7
https://themackwalks.wordpress.com/
John’s Facebook post: https://goo.gl/e1GtZY , 20th February, 2019
Walk (057) Blairgowrie-Cargill’s Leap-Knockie Hill Circuit (Perthshire)
Setting out along the banks of the River Ericht, with its wide rippling shallows and surging rocky gorges, the route passes many old mill buildings before visiting Cargill’s Leap where the Rev. Donald Cargill jumped the river to escape King Charles II’s dragoons in 1665, during 
the turbulent Covenanting period in Scottish history. Leaving the Ericht, the route then rises above the very scenic upland valley of the Lornty Burn before turning back towards Blairgowrie, crossing the Knockie Hill where there are splendid views of Strathmore and the Sidlaw Hills … 😃
John’s Facebook post: https://goo.gl/6v7eJf , 20th February, 2019
Road Trip To RSPB Fowlsheugh ...
Impatient to use the now fully open Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route (sad but true😂) we headed south to sunny and stunning Crawton today. A bag of chips from The Bay chipper in Stonehaven rounded the trip off nicely … 😁
Alison’s Facebook post: https://goo.gl/dKKwX7 , 19th February, 2019
Walk (056) Tarland-Tomnaverie Stone Circle Circuit (Aberdeenshire)
This is a gentle and undemanding walk in beautiful surroundings, rubbing shoulders with ancient history along the way. On a fine day there are majestic views of the rugged Lochnagar Mountain on the edge of the Cairngorms … 😃
John’s Facebook post: https://goo.gl/jMNqw8 , 18th February, 2019
Morven of Snow …!
Unfortunately, our camera couldn’t quite capture the majestic views we had on Friday’s walk at Tarland of the rugged Lochnagar Mountain, 20 miles away on the edge of the Cairngorms. Easier for the lens to capture was the snow-patched mass of the much closer hill known as Morven (2,858 ft). We had a wonderful walk there quite a few years ago, counting the mountain hares as we made our way to the wind-blown summit. With its rounded slopes, it is sometimes compared to a 
sleeping giant. We were so inspired by the walk that we named our former home in Inverurie after the hill! The poet, Lord Byron, was also taken by the place … 😃
“ When I rov’d a young Highlander o’er the dark heath,
And climb’d thy steep summit, oh Morven of snow! “
John’s Facebook post: https://goo.gl/E7X5Mg , 17th February, 2019
Yellow Sands at Blackdog …!
Winter sun, sea and sand a little way up the coast this afternoon … 😊
Alison’s Facebook post: https://goo.gl/bmquYL , 16th February, 2019
Artistic Leanings …
Art and architecture, this morning’s agenda … 😊
Alison’s Facebook post: https://goo.gl/M4DWXt , 16th February, 2019
Walk (055) Newburgh Circular (Fife)
This is a pleasant little walk around and about the small Fife town of Newburgh, with its attractive miscellany of old buildings running along the main street. It sits on the south bank of the River Tay opposite the reed-covered Mugdrum Island. Newburgh started to grow in importance after Lindores Abbey was founded as an offshoot of Kelso Abbey in about 1191 … 😃
John’s Facebook post: https://goo.gl/Z2jCpM , 16th February, 2019
Touch Stones …
Walking from Tarland earlier, Lochnagar and the Cairngorms seemed within touching distance on this bright, clear day … 😊💙
Alison’s Facebook post: https://goo.gl/wravrx , 15th February, 2019
Walk (054) Crieff-The Hosh Circuit (Perthshire)
This is an easy route on the outskirts of Crieff, in the wonderfully scenic countryside at the crossroads between the Highlands and Lowlands of Scotland. Along the way, there are many open aspects and marvellous views, taking in the rural charm of the River Earn Valley, high surrounding hills, and distant mountains … 😃
John’s Facebook post: https://goo.gl/iTHCyj , 14th February, 2019
Walk (053) Scone-Murrayshall Hill Circular (Perthshire)
This is a fine walk in the area of Perthshire known as “The Gowry”. The rural scene is dominated by woods and farmland, and the views from Murrayshall Hill are wide-ranging, with a particularly fine perspective on Perth, sitting in the valley of the River Tay. There are a number of points of historical interest along the route …😃
John’s Facebook post: https://goo.gl/Ukj2TJ , 13th February, 2019
Early Arrivals …
Colourful corners in the botanic gardens [Cruickshank Botanic Gardens, University of Aberdeen] this afternoon … 😊💙
Alison’s Facebook post: https://goo.gl/J4LKDA , 12th February, 2019
Walk (052) Old Portlethen Ramble (Aberdeenshire)
This is a short but varied coastal walk close to the city of Aberdeen. The route encompasses a new community woodland, farmland, an old fishing village and a rugged coastline with steep cliffs, stony beaches and rocky inlets … 😊
John’s Facebook post: https://goo.gl/QxKXE1 , 12th February, 2019
Feeling Sheepish …
These guys reminded me, this afternoon, of my dad’s old joke.
Q: Why do black sheep eat less grass than white sheep?
A: Because there are less of them! 😂🙄😂
Alison’s Facebook post: https://goo.gl/dbsDHX , 9th February, 2019
Windy Weather Walk …!
I guess we caught the end of Storm Erik up on the cliffs near Findon today as we battled to stay on our feet. Blowin’ a hoolie it certainly was … 😊💙
Alison’s Facebook post: https://goo.gl/vBdodY , 9th February, 2019
Back Hame Tae Auld Claes An’ Tatties …! [Holiday Over!!!]
It’s always good to be home but, my, we’re going to miss this view from our balcony in the Fair City of Perth … 😊💙
Alison’s Facebook post: https://goo.gl/6t3BAU , 7th February, 2019
The Lang Toun …
Today, we were strolling around and about the old weaving town of Auchterarder, known as the “Lang Toun” because of the length of its High Street. It attracted world-wide attention and accompanying political protests in 2005 when the G8 summit was held at the 5* Gleneagles Hotel and Golf complex on the edge of town … 🤔
John’s Facebook post: https://goo.gl/zxgRo1 , 6th February, 2019
A Day Of Two Halves …
Today’s itinerary: a sunny morning walking in and near Auchterarder and the Ochil Hills, followed by what turned out to be a much greyer afternoon exploring Perth city and suburbs … 😊💙
Alison’s Facebook post: https://goo.gl/fvpj9z , 6th February, 2019
All Our Ducks In A Row …!
It was a little cloudy today for our walk along the River Tay from Perth to view Scone Palace … still … all our ducks were in a row …! 😊
John’s Facebook post: https://goo.gl/JrC3Wt , 6th February, 2019
Snow Go …
We encountered plenty ice today in upland Perthshire … but the snow was far away … on the mountain tops … 😎
John’s Facebook post: https://goo.gl/jYPiLd , 4th February, 2019
Slip Sliding …!
Lots of ice around today. In the River Ericht itself and on the river bank paths and narrow farm roads on our route. We were a-slipping and a-sliding, for sure … 😊
Alison’s Facebook post: https://goo.gl/AbKNgY , 4th February, 2019
A Grey Day By The Silvery Tay …
Walking from Newburgh earlier on the banks of the silvery Tay. Though perhaps more steel grey on this cold winter’s day … 😊💙
Alison’s Facebook post: https://goo.gl/orzv8P , 3rd February, 2019
Dram O’Clock …!
At last, time for a whisky says J … 🥃🥃😁
Alison’s Facebook post: https://goo.gl/uBr2Vn , 2nd February, 2019
Low Flying Birds …!
The home of the Famous Grouse whisky was on our walking route around the The Hosh earlier. It was just a wee bit too early in the day for a dram of the “low flyer” though … 😂
Alison’s Facebook post: https://goo.gl/6G5RMJ , 2nd February, 2019
Cool Crieff …
Walking above Crieff today it was cold, frosty and beautiful … 😊
Alison’s Facebook post: https://goo.gl/b2yAcP , 2nd February, 2019
A Bit Parky in Perthshire…!
Some of my favourite photos from Alison’s iPad on another very cold, crisp day in sunny Perthshire … 😃
John’s Facebook post: https://goo.gl/c5TrmB , 1st February, 2019
Sunshine Over Scone …
There were great views all around from the hills above Scone today. Even the Tay estuary was visible for a brief moment … 😊
Alison’s Facebook post: https://goo.gl/yShokz , 1st February, 2019
The Mack Walks 