To Hell and back

We decided to have a day out on the last day of the summer holidays. A trip to Troup Head to see the gannets (not that there were *that* many left), a barbecue on the beach and then a walk to Hell's Lum. We had first spotted Hell's Lum from the distance, when we visited Peace Camp. Today we decided to see if we could explore it.

Looking towards Pennan from the path to Fort Fiddes, and then looking across to Hell's Lum.

It was a steep scramble...

... but we managed it no problem.

Reaching the top here ...

... we could see a glimmer of light in the distance, and hear the sea.

The tunnel stretches right through the headland and is very impressive.

We scrambled our way back up, which wasn't as bad as I expected it to be. Seems rather ironic that, after all this scrambling up and down very steep slopes, I managed to badly sprain my ankle immediately on returning home - by running to get the washing in as it had started raining! So I haven't been out walking since, and going by the slow rate of progress with my ankle it'll be a good few weeks more before I'm walking anywhere much - let alone somewhere like Hell's Lum. 

Not really the best way to end the holidays - or to start a new job!

A walk up Bennachie

I'm currently unable to do much (any!) walking due to a sprained ankle, so I'm taking the opportunity to think back to a few walks and days out over recent months.

A few months ago, just after I moved to Inverurie, I climbed Bennachie for the first time.

At first you're climbing through the forestry, which is lovely and is something I very much enjoyed after so many years in Orkney withough any forestry. The trees are a mixture of species which makes for lots of beautiful vistas everywhere you look.

As you get higher up, you reach the point where the view starts to open out.

Looking towards the top of the Mither Tap.

It looks very close from this point, but it's a steep path to follow...

The views are ever-changing...

As we got higher, the light changed...

 

... and the snow clouds started to appear around the side of the hill.

 

Before long, it was snowing!

Another ten minutes or so later, and we were back in the sunshine, albeit with a bitterly cold wind to accompany it.

 

There's the remains of a pictish fort surrounding the summit. The walls are just fantastic - and make a good place to shelter from the wind too!

 

We didn't stay on the top for long, as the wind was just too cold, just staying for long enough to enjoy the views.

As we descended we could see more snow showers passing by.

 

A great afternoon walk.