We had 28 walkers on the bus for this walk. We set out at 9am from Duthie Park, picking up a few others on the way to the start of our walk at the old fishing of village of Ferryden, situated on the south side of Montrose harbour. We arrived in good time. It was warm and sunny at the start of the walk, but was to turn cooler during the day.
Many of the walkers started out towards Scurdie Ness lighthouse then on south along the coast towards Boddin Point. A few took a short cut inland to make their way back to the bus along the country roads. A few of us took the reverse route – inland from the bus, then turning towards the coast at Dunninald Castle. The inland part of the walk presented magnificent views towards the eastern Highlands which still had some snow on the hills.
The walk along the coast proved interesting, starting at the salmon station at Boddin Point, then walking along the clifftop to an old cemetery, onto the fishing village at Usan where there was a large number of lobster points at the harbour. There must be an abundance of these creatures in the sea here. After Usan village the route went from a clifftop walk to a walk along the seashore towards Scurdie Ness lighthouse. This is of interest as being built by Robert Stevenson in the 19th Century to guide ships into Montrose harbour. The walk turned from here along the road back to Ferryden where the bus was waiting.
After the walk, we quenched our thirst at the local pub, Diamond Lils, before heading home, arriving in Aberdeen about 4pm. An enjoyable coastal walk with sunny, if a little cool, weather. At least it was dry!
Alastair