Another lovely day for my walk through the Fetternear Estate, Kemnay and the surrounding countryside.  How lucky were we to have three wonderful hiking days in pastures new to us.

We started in Kemnay before crossing over the River Don and through the gates of the Fetternear estate. After wandering along some woodland paths we stopped at the ruins of the Bishops Palace. An impressive building which started its life as a tower house in 1571 before being extended throughout the centuries. We found a very nice woodland to have our tea break in and it was so nice to sit and listen to the multiple birdsong’s overhead.

I can’t remember if it was on this walk or Saturdays walk that I heard my first cuckoo of the year. 

After our break we headed up a good beech tree lined path to higher ground and nice views of the area around Kemnay. Then we dropped down towards the river and the Shakey Bridge which in the good old days was indeed so shaky and decrepit it was barely standing. Lucky for us a much more modern version was in situ for our crossing of the Don.

Once on the other side we happened upon one of the Kemnay Steens, this one depicting the annual boat race( not quite Oxford and Cambridge) 

“ The stone is one of the Kemnay Steens, nine carved stones placed along footpaths in and around the villages age with the aim of encouraging people to explore the rich history, folklore and natural identity of the surrounding landscape.”

Breathe in and squeeze along a wee narrow path next to a dairy farm which then opened up into Aquhythie Wood. I decided to take a path which I had not been along before but I was sure it would come out where I wanted to be. It did,and we had some fab views of the countryside from there. We descended down onto a country road and made our way to Dalmadilly Ponds and our lunch stop. 

Here we met a very curious little boy called Joshua who seemed to be amazed by all these people and asked if we were on a school trip. Of course I said we were and he wanted to know who was the teacher. Me, for today said I and then he wanted to know the name of the school.  I told him it was the Forth Valley Walking Academy which little Joshua seemed to believe. Lovely wee local boy, full of questions.

Walking back into Kemnay I took a wee detour up to the Point of Origin, “a landscape- as - art” project. This was designed by a team of earthwork sculptors, started in 1996 and finished in 2006. It looks a bit like a walnut whip, there are a lots of large granite stones at the top the pile of earth and it makes a great lookout point.

After that it was back to the cars and a drive to a cafe with very nice cakes and scones.

Thanks to all who came along and thanks to my back marker Angela.

 

Walk Leader Babs

To see all photos, click on this link 

Inverurie Weekend Away. 24th - 27th April SUNDAY Fettenear Estate