Sarah and I finally arrived in Midmar early Friday evening following our time in Fife. Midmar, is not too far from Aberdeen. More specifically it is the location of Clive and Sally’s home Ordiefork. We are always given a warm welcome and look forward to our stay here, as can be seen from our previous posts – Ordiefork & Ordiefork – The Return.

Saturday

Unfortunately, everything wasn’t going to plan. Sally works in Germany during the week and her flight had been delayed. She had been due in late Friday, but instead this became Saturday afternoon.

To while away the time we decided to visit Crathes Castle. We had visited this National Trust for Scotland property last time, but this time we decided on a walk around the grounds.

Leaving the car park we picked up the Coyburn Trail, one of the Estate walks.

  

We headed through the woodland and towards Coy Burn.

Here it was time to give Guinness a full work out by playing ‘chase the stick’.

  

Then we continued along some walkways towards the old quarry.

Here there were some ‘dens’.

After a final steep climb we headed back to the castle.

Guinness had clearly been here quite a few times and already knew the route – we just followed!

After the walk we had lunch in the cafe and then a quick look at the castle, before heading off to Aberdeen Airport to pick up Sally.

In the evening we enjoyed a lovely meal at White Cottage Restaurant near the village of Aboyne.

Sunday

I had been struggling with a virus that was gradually meaning I was losing my voice. Thankfully, at this stage it wasn’t laying me low. So, the following morning we set off for Whitehaugh Forest. This lies just off Suie Road, the ‘Old Military Road’ near the Bridge of Alford.

We started by walking up Suie Hill.

    

We would follow the Gordon Way.

After dropping down to the road we next walked up Black Hillock.

And then up Knock Saul.

 

 

At the top we stopped to admire the views and eat some lunch.

  

Eventually we turned off the Gordon Way.

Here we walked towards Mickleton Croft.

  

It briefly started to rain, but thankfully not for too long.

After following a quiet lane for awhile we picked up another forest road as we headed up Holms Hill and back to the start.

  

At the end of the walk we had covered approximately 7 and a half miles. This had covered some fantastic terrain with some fabulous views. And out here you can walk for miles without meeting a soul. Brilliant!