We’re in the Garioch …!
Ancient stone circles, dry-stane dykes, the Mither Tap, Lady Lou and highland coos. It must be the Garioch … 😊
Alison’s Facebook post: https://goo.gl/NePt8J , 30th November, 2018
Dog Days …
Walking with Lady Lou this afternoon. It was wet and cold. She didn’t notice … 😊🐾
Alison’s Facebook post: https://goo.gl/oeHQHc , 27th November, 2018
Walk (042) Core Hill-Mill of Easterton Circular (Aberdeenshire)
From the very start this walk provides some wonderful open views of the rich farming heartland of Aberdeenshire and later on there is a particularly stunning “wide-screen” view of the Bennachie range of hills … 
Changing Seasons …
On yesterday’s walk, near Cross of Jackston, we re-traced some of our steps from a shorter walk we did 2 months ago. Then, the autumn weather was bright, with blue skies and cotton-wool clouds. Yesterday, after three days of rain, the winter skies were darker and more atmospheric …🤔
John’s Facebook post: https://goo.gl/z376v6 , 25th November, 2018
After the Deluge …!
And the rain has finally stopped …! 😁
Alison’s Facebook post: https://goo.gl/5ZsjPa , 24th November, 2018
How Long …?
This one’s “indestructible”. That’s what it says on the label. So did the last one … 😳😂 #LadyLou
Alison’s Facebook post: https://goo.gl/tu9qvr , 23rd November, 2018
In the Lee of Bennachie …
Back in old haunts with Lady Lou this afternoon … 😊💙
Alison’s Facebook post: https://goo.gl/VBMf6D , 20th November, 2018
Our Lady …!
Lady Lou. Our boss for the next three weeks … 😉🐾
Alison’s Facebook post: https://goo.gl/AwfwkU , 19th November, 2018
Walk (041) Fraserburgh-Waters of Philorth Return (Aberdeenshire)
This coastal walk has a nice mix: the oldest lighthouse in Scotland; one of the busiest fishing harbours in the UK; a wonderful sandy beach that seems to go on for ever; a peaceful estuarine nature reserve; a golf course sheltering amongst the sand dunes; an interesting town centre; and, the old fishing village of Broadsea tucked around the Kinnaird headland … 
Brrrrrrrrr in the Broch …!
It was a long one today, up in that windswept north eastern corner of Aberdeenshire. And, I gotta say, the coldest so far …! 😁
Alison’s Facebook post: https://goo.gl/ZtbLrR , 17th November, 2018
All Ship Shape …
Boats large and small at Fraserburgh harbour earlier today … 😊
Alison’s Facebook post: https://goo.gl/n5nyVe , 17th November, 2018
Cold Comfort …
If it’s a raw biting wind off the sea that you are after … then Fraserburgh fits the bill every time …! However, you can watch the progress of our walk today at “The Broch” in the comfort of your own home … 😎
Click here: http://bit.do/eA6eG
John’s Facebook post: https://goo.gl/2zQu3P , 17th November, 2018
Fading Flowers …
In the secret garden this morning. The last of the blooms … 😊
Alison’s Facebook post: https://goo.gl/diy1WD , 16th November, 2018
Walk (040) Forest of Deer-Loudon Stone Circle Loop (Aberdeenshire)
This walk offers some interesting contrasts – enclosure within thick swathes of conifer plantation is swapped for open views over rolling countryside at various times on the route. A sense of history also accompanies you – encountering a Neolithic stone circle, a Pictish symbol stone, and a Victorian observatory along the way … 😀
John’s Facebook post: https://goo.gl/Ud2i8T , 15th November, 2018
Secret Stones …!
The elusive Loudon stone circle. Worth the search … 💙😊
Alison’s Facebook post: https://goo.gl/ejfo9s , 14th November, 2018
Come On Ye Greens (and Blues) …!
Walking near Fetterangus yesterday, it was green, green, green (and blue!) all the way … 😊
Alison’s Facebook post: https://goo.gl/x9vNAU , 14th November, 2018
Walking in the Footsteps of History …!
History was to the fore again on today’s walk in the Forest of Deer in deepest Buchan – starting with a Pictish symbol stone in Fishie’s Old Kirkyard, then a Victorian observatory built so that the Laird of Pitfour could watch his racehorses run (what an indulgence!), and a hidden stone circle to capture the imagination 
(can you picture our ancient ancestors dragging those huge stones to the chosen spot!). Here are some of my favourite photos from a perfect November day, skilfully composed and shot, as ever, by Alison … 😘
John’s Facebook post: https://goo.gl/Aw2u1s , 13th November, 2018
Walk (039) Gardenstown-Crovie-5 Farms Circular (Aberdeenshire)
This walk provides the opportunity to enjoy one of the most picturesque coastlines in Scotland. Deep valleys and dells break up the landscape, separated by mighty cliff-tops, punctuated by villages 
clinging to tiny strips of land. The focal point on the route is tiny Crovie, a unique place, where hand-barrows, rather than cars, are used to carry groceries to the houses … 😀
John’s Facebook post: https://goo.gl/y338ve , 12th November, 2018
You Say Crovie … I Say Crivie …!
Tiny Crovie was almost destroyed in a winter storm back in 1953. Now it’s regarded as the most perfectly preserved old fishing village in Europe. All but one of the houses is a listed building … 😊💙
Alison’s Facebook post: https://goo.gl/BrxnN6 , 10th November, 2018
Washing Day Blues (Skies That is!)
It was washing day in Crovie as we headed off this sunny morning. Timing carefully planned to avoid being on the front at high tide ..! 😊
Alison’s Facebook post: https://goo.gl/Ytcrw4 , 10th November, 2018
Walk (038) Alford-Haughton Country Park Ramble (Aberdeenshire)
This is a gentle ramble around and about the attractive Donside village of Alford, taking in the pleasant environs of Haughton Country Park, a section along the banks of the River Don, and the Murray Park mixed woodland, before circling around to descend into the village again from woodland above the Dry Ski Slope … 😀
John’s Facebook post: https://goo.gl/kzoCBN , 8th November, 2018
Canopy Colours …
A damp and dreich November morning? Maybe, but the trees in Seaton Park are having none of it …! 😁💙
Alison’s Facebook post: , 6th November, 2018
Walk (037) Strichen Loch-Stone Circle Ramble (Aberdeenshire)
This gentle little ramble is a good opportunity to become acquainted with the pretty loch and woodland walks at Strichen Community Park. There are also good open countryside views along the way and some interesting historical features such as the Strichen Stone Circle, and the ruined shell of Strichen House, a mansion house built in 1821 … 😀
John’s Facebook post: https://goo.gl/v85SkJ , 5th November, 2018
Echoes of Past Lives …
On yesterday’s walk near Strichen there were lots of examples of the “here today and gone tomorrow” aspect of our world: an ancient stone circle; the ruined shell of a Georgian stately home and its crumbling 
walled garden and out-houses; a roof-less old doocot; a forgotten railway bridge; and, rusting farm implements from a different time, bringing back child-hood memories of summers spent on my granny’s hill farm …🤔
John’s Facebook post: https://goo.gl/zWy54X , 4th November, 2018
Wacky Waypoints …!
It was dreich-kind walking to the stone circle near Strichen yesterday. Mr & Mrs Reid’s inimitable sign-posting techniques helped to keep the laughs coming though … 😁
Alison’s Facebook post: https://goo.gl/bJzwhG ,4th November, 2018
Losing Our Way Today …!
Because it was such a fine day today, we made a spur of the moment decision to check out options for a future walk at the Barmekin of Echt, a low hill with panoramic views, between Westhill and Banchory. Due to disappearing paths, and waist-high heather, our little reconnoitre 
became a bigger and more adventurous enterprise than we had planned, but was well worth the effort all the same! The Barmekin is the remains of what must have been a very impressive prehistoric hill-fort, comprising 5 huge concentric stone and earth ramparts surrounding the summit … 😀
John’s Facebook post: https://goo.gl/X142vA , 2nd November, 2018
A Chill Wind at Collieston …
There was a raw wind blowing when we walked near Collieston a couple of days ago, and chilly it sure was. We loved it … 😀
Alison’s Facebook post: https://goo.gl/uU7HU3 , 2nd November, 2018
Beautiful Hackley Bay …!
We found Hackley Head this week. Another wee hidden gem on the north east coast … 😊💙
Alison’s Facebook post: https://goo.gl/L8hqbM , 2nd November, 2018
Walk (036) Forvie Reserve-Hackley Bay Ramble (Aberdeenshire)
This is a pleasant and varied ramble on the Forvie National Nature Reserve, through the wild coastal heath-land of Forvie Moor, meeting impressive cliffs that lead to an isolated and pristine bay beneath Hackley Head. Near the end of the walk there are wonderful views from the headland above the lower part of Collieston village to its harbour and little beach … 😀
John’s Facebook post: https://goo.gl/hqqSXY , 1st November, 2018
The Mack Walks 