Day 4, July 5th My Morning HIKE to Braemar Kirkyard & Castle

Anne served all of us a scrumptious Scottish Breakfast. (WAY more food than I normally eat! But, she sure didn’t need to TWIST MY ARM to get me to eat it!) Then, Charles took off to the Golf tournament, and Lorna & Ben took off to go sightseeing at Braemar Castle.

Since Anne was lodging me in her STUDY at a “friend” rate (nudge, nudge – wink, wink), I wanted to help her with all the WORK it takes to run a B&B, before popping off to do tourista stuff. Plus, that way she’d be better able to have time to PLAY with me, later on!!!

So, this particular morning, I learned how to IRON SHEETS!
(And, wasn’t THAT weird?
Yes, It WAS. Thankyouverymuch.)

After my chores, I headed out on foot, following the lane leading South from Dalmore House, and managed (with only a minor bit of difficulty) to find the hidden path that Anne said was a “short cut” to Braemar Castle.

I wish I’d taken a picture of it. Sorry, I didn’t. But, at the end of the lane, sort of hidden in some shrubbery, was something called a “KISSING GATE.” Dang. I can’t find a pic of one on the Internet! And, you have to SEE it to understand it. Once you SEE it, not only do you understand why its called a “Kissing Gate,” but you understand the purpose for which it was designed – something that has absolutely nothing to do with two humans KISSING!
(Next time I’m in Braemar, I’ll get a Kissing Gate pic!)

Anyway! Once through the Kissing Gate, I followed the dirt (and densely shrubbed) path toward the river.

Then, I followed the dirt path along the river for a bit. GADZ! It was GORGEOUS, and so peaceful!

Next, I came to the wooden bridge that crosses over the river. (I think that’s another Kissing Gate on the other side. But, I don’t remember for sure! Dang.)

Once over the bridge, I came to a small, gravel public parking lot (one for Hikers who want to park near an access to the footpaths that wander through the area). And, from there, I began walking along the little highway that leads East of Braemar. Along the way, I noticed a field of sheep and cattle. Well! Of course I had to stop and chat! (What IS it with sheep?! Why do they always seem to be in such a foul mood?!)

To be absolutely TRUTHFUL:
The only reason I was WALKING to Braemar Castle was because Anne had insisted that it was a very “SHORT walk.” BUT, PLZ NOTE: Anne is someone who has “bagged” (climbed) ALL the “Monroes” (all the SERIOUS MOUNTAINS) in Scotland! So, I clearly realized that HER version of a “short walk” would be very different from MY opinion of a “short walk!”

But, I didn’t want to seem like I was some kind of COUCH POTATO – someone unable to perform a “short walk.” So, I was walking ONLY to avoid embarrassment! Wow. I am SOOOOO glad I walked!!! It really wasn’t an “arduous” hike (though, it wasn’t incredibly “short,” either! LOL). AND, it was only because I was walking along the little highway, that I found BRAEMAR KIRKYARD.

NEXT DAY FOUR PAGE OPTIONS (in order of trip occurrence):
Braemar Kirkyard Pix
OH! So eerie and beautiful!
Braemar Castle Pix
Information and several pages o’ interior pix available only from this page.
Dinner at the Moorfield Pub/Hotel

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