Mountain to Sea Section 1

Ben MacDui to Braemar

Ben MacDui to Loch Etchachan

I kicked off from Glenmore Lodge, where I undertook a mountain first aid course to be ready for all adventures and eventualities. With my updated Hill and Moorland Leader certificate in hand I headed up to Ben MacDui, which splits its top between the counties of Aberdeenshire and Moray. The wind was fast and vast. The clouds too.

But I had already met a few people from Huntly on my way up to Ben MacDui yesterday. All cross country athletes. Their sport was highly impacted by the pandemic, as they could not pursue their international training for quite a while. So my embroidery could get started last night in the tent.

Topics: travel restrictions, athletes impact on training, lack of staff as a result, right to roam

Loch Etchachan to Linn of Dee

Wind, wind, wind. No photo can display this strong wind. No people to meet yet. But here is me for breakfast at Loch Etchachan on day 2 on my table cloth in the morning.

In Braemar, I met P who is guarding his parent’s house and business while they are on holiday. P is from Braemar, but was in Glasgow pursuing his studies at Uni when the pandemic started.

Topics: loneliness, time to study, missing family, wedding venue,

Linn of Dee to Braemar

At Marr Lodge a big wedding was in preparation. Many weddings and other events had to be cancelled during the pandemic. I wonder whether this is a bad thing?

The next day I met R and her husband T. R is a community activist, that keeps the village going. T is a first responder with Braemar Care. I was meant to bring the cake, but R has baked it and so my tablecloth was properly baptised with a tea stain here.

Topics: importance of local shops, gardening, craft, young people stuck in city, airbnb, knitting.

Remembering Together: Aberdeenshire has been commissioned by Greenspace Scotland in partnership with Live Life Aberdeenshire's Cultural Services. It is funded by the Scottish Government.