I went on a walk with my wife today. This was a slower walk, as she is more than a foot shorter than me.
We went into Haughton Park and walked through the woods of silver birch, beech and some large pines and then continued to the river Don. There was a heron on the opposite bank, who later flew across to our bank within 15 feet of where we were standing. We followed the river to Montgarrie bridge and turned right into the narrow road towards Montgarrie, where we turned left at the crossroads towards Tullynessle.
Montgarrie is the home of the Montgarrie Mill that produces the famous Oatmeal of Alford. There has been a mill here on the Essat Burn, which flows into the Don, since at least 1317.
We crossed the Essat Burn and climbed the hill to the Tullynessle and Forbes village hall, on the way passing the Syllavethy Art Gallery and fields with lambs and their mothers. A buzzard that was resting on a wooden electricity pole was disturbed by a crow and flew directly overhead, giving us a good view. Once we reached the hall we continued downhill to the Bridge of Alford, originally built by Thomas Telford in 1811, and recrossed the Don. Shortly afterwards, we passed a field of sheep and cattle. Two bullocks were quite frisky and were challenging each other to a head butting duel. In a later field we saw a large number of sheep and lambs. Two border collies entered along with 2 humans and then attempted to herd the sheep together for transport. I don’t think they will be winning any sheepdog trials in the near future. We then walked through the edge of the village and returned home, having completed just over 6 miles.
In addition to the previously mentioned birds and animals we also saw goldfinches, greenfinches, a tree sparrow, house martins and at least a dozen swallows. Summer has arrived in north east Scotland.