24 walkers boarded our bus in Aberdeen with 1 other embarking at Portlethen bringing our total to 25 walkers. We had a brief stop at Auchenblae searching in vain for toilet facilities but as there were none the bus continued on through Strathfinella until we eventually reached the starting point outside the café at the Clatterin Brig.
!8 walkers alighted the bus to do the main walk with the remaining 7 walkers staying on the bus until it reached Edzell.
The sky was clear & the sun was out as we headed upwards on a good track. Several raptors were noticed soaring in the sky above – no doubt searching for their Sunday breakfast. There was some speculation as to whether they were eagles (soon discounted – not big enough) or perhaps buzzards or red kites. The bee hives that had been observed just off the track when the route was reconnoitred a month or so ago were not there – possibly removed as the heather was no longer in bloom.
At Ladies Well the views began to open up especially so with Clachnaben & Mount Battock glistening in the Autumn sunshine. It was time to ditch a layer or so as the early morning coolness gave way to warmer temperatures.
After a steady slog uphill a timber hut was reached which provided a welcome space to have a late morning break. This hut was used by walkers from our club some years ago & was well furnished with a table & padded chairs. Alas there was no broom available this time so we couldn’t give the floor a good sweep!
At Sturdy Hill there were great views all around with Mount Keen & Lochnagar being the main ones. As we suspected there was no easy way to navigate past the wire deer fence. We followed the track parallel to the fence for some distance hoping to find a gate or stile but eventually had to bite the bullet & find our own various ways over, through or under the barrier.
The group had another tea break just before reaching the road in Glen Esk after which there was a trek of about a mile or so down the tarred road until the turn off to the Rocks of Solitude. The boredom of this section was broken by a red squirrel which scampered from the undergrowth & scooted quickly to the other side of the road to disappear in the trees there. After visiting “The Rocks” we were surprised by the softly falling rain around 3:00 pm – this was not expected as the weather forecast had not predicted any rain for this area today. By the time we were approaching the “Blue Door” it was time to don waterproof jackets. No one put on waterproof trousers – this was a big mistake as the rain got even heavier & we were well & truly soaked by the time we reached the bus in Edzell.
6 of the walkers who got off the bus in Edzell did a variation of the planned route to the Rocks of Solitude & back whilst the remaining walker had a tootle around Edzell. These were the lucky ones as they escaped the wet weather & got back to the bus dry as a bone. Everyone enjoyed their day, even those who got wet, & the bus left Edzell just before 4:30 (about an hour early) so our driver Peter, got us safely back in Aberdeen before 5:30 which was around 1.5 hours ahead our planned return time 7:00 pm. This was very helpful to some of our walkers who had time to dry off & prepare for their planned trip to the Theatre
Gilbert