2. Day 2 - Kirkmichael to Spittal of Glenshee (18.29 km)

We’d been told that today’s walk would be a relatively short one, and despite the 600 meters of ascent, a fairly easy walk - no more than 4 hours. So after a hearty breakfast we set off for the day with enthusiasm. Another beautiful day - the sun was shining, and not a cloud in the sky - is this really Scotland?? We were looking forward to taking it relatively easy, with perhaps a swim along the way, and if lucky a bit of relaxation in the sun with our books 😃

Our destination for today 

Leaving Strathardle Lodge - with enthusiasm 😃

Our first stop was the village shop to stock up on provisions. Knowing that this would be the only shop we’d pass for the next couple of days, we duly packed what remaining space we had in our backpacks with oatcakes, cheese, humus, fruit and flapjacks - hopefully that should do the trick 😃

Next we came across signs for an art gallery, so knowing that we’d got time on our side today, we went off to explore and found a wonderful studio in the most idyllic setting, surrounded by orchards and beautiful gardens. The art work was an amazing, but sadly we didn’t have any space to carry more things. But after a lovely chat with the artist owner, we ended up with a small notebook, and were on our way. Again, fascinating to hear about people’s lives, the challenges they encounter with rising costs, globalisation and cost of living, yet still committed to pursuing their passion, and developing a quality and meaningful life. Walking back through the orchard we were treated to some aerial acrobatics of some graceful swallows  nesting close by - beautiful 😻 

Beautiful orchard at the gallery

Gallery orchard

Eventually we got on our way proper, and started to head over huge forestry area where a lot of logging was going on - not the most attractive of landscapes. The path soon emerged into beautiful green pastures, with views back towards Strathardle. Before long we arrived at Enochdhu, a former hideout for Cateran cattle thieves. From here the main ascent began 😃

Crystal clear Strathardle river

Leaving Kirkmichael

Leaving Strathardle

Start of the ascent towards Glen Shee

More gruesome Cateran tales

the start of the big ascent. Following the old road that used to connect the communities in Strathardle and Glen Shee, we started to climb, walking through lovely cooling forests, which eventually emerged into a stunning Scottish wilderness. We had now entered the lower Cairngorms mountain range, and the views were breathtaking. The path was fairly gentle, as it wound its way up the mountain. We’d been told to look out for the “lunch hut” en route, a Bothy type of place designed to offer shelter for mountain walkers, and rumour has it that Queen Victoria once visited 🤣 A lovely little resting place, but sadly no lunch goodies to sample 🤣

Onwards and upwards through the cooling forests 

Listening to the curlews

The lunch hut bothy

Exploring the bothy 🤣

Arriving at the top was amazing - the views looking back down, seeing the path that we had walked snaking up the hillside were awesome. And looking down now on where we were heading was true Scottish wilderness, as the valley of Glen Shee came into view. 

The summit 

The snaking path upwards

Looking down onto GlenShee

Hot and pleased with our achievement 😃

The descent down to GlenShee was tough on the knees, but the views were stunning - true wilderness! Feeling very tired we had to summon the energy to then walk the extra mile and a half to our bed for the night - Dalmunzie Castle Hotel. That last half hour felt extremely tough, but eventually we arrived, tired and exhausted, after not quite the short easy walk that we were expecting 🤣 A stunning old castle in beautiful garden surroundings - not sure what we actually looked like arriving so disheveled and exhausted 🤣 But after a reviving cuppa and a transformational soak in the bath, we were soon out on the front lawn relaxing with a beer! Had another lovely evening chilling out, some tasty food in the bar (avoided the fine dining restaurant 🤣), and early to bed, again. 

Still another mile down the track to the hotel 😢

Arriving at Dalmunzie Castle Hotel

Well deserved 

This is the life!

It’s been a wonderful day. Great to get out into the true wilderness. Didn’t see any other people walking the trail, our only companions for the day were the swooping curlews with their shrill cries, and the sound of cuckoos. We did see an enormous herd of deer in the distance, which we watched through binoculars, but too far away to get a photo. 

Tomorrow is another long day, so already managing our expectations……🤣

Hoping for more sunshine again tomorrow 🤞