Midge forecast proving to be useful
THIS summer 'The Press and Journal' has taken to publishing a 'Midge Forecast'.
This is based on data collected from specific sites.On a five point scale – one equals negligible while five equals nuisance.
In the muggy, damp weather we've experienced of late and in which the beasties thrive, I've found this information something of a boon although, it has to be said, the repellent sits in the rucksack permanently.
Recently the Monday Walkers were on a ramble, very little climbing, from the Cairn o' Mount, Spital to the barn below Cock Hill up near the headwaters of Dye.
There had been rain over the preceding days and it was cool and blustery. You can get up Mt. Battock from here but as the top was swathed in fog no-one was tempted.Six miles further will take you cross-country to Millden in Glenesk; a walk I've not yet done.One day perhaps.
On the return leg we called in at the Charr Bothy.There is a visitors' book inside which is an endless source of fascination.
"The Great Outdoors" (TGO) magazine annually sponsors a walk known as "The Challenge", whereby you start on the west coast and walk over to the east coast.
The specific route is largely left to yourself but organisational approval must be sought. A perusal of the Charr book indicated that this bothy lay on the route taken by many participants this year.
This entry was typical of many: "24/5.Fantastic end to a fantastic day in brilliant company… Sue and Graeme. TGO 2006."
That's the spirit! As is often the way we finished our nine miles in warm sunshine.(OS Landranger Sheet 45).
An unforeseen change of plan took us on a coastal walk from the St. Cyrus Wildlife Centre along to Tangleha' on Milton Ness the following week.
Last time we were here there was a fair depth of snow in the village. On this day it was shirtsleeve order although the waterproofs were to hand.
Looking out to sea from the clifftop the colours ranged from light blue through to mauve and pink and, it seemed, miles of unspoilt golden sands. In other places I can think of your sightline would be marred by hotels, holiday homes and the other trappings of civilisation; not here. We're lucky.
This is a Scottish Natural Heritage site where many rare wildflowers thrive and, as the notice says, "the bracing winds shift sand and dunes in a constant cycle of change."
A mile to the north of the village lies the Kaim of Mathers on an almost inaccessible rocky promontory.The Kaim (or fortress) is a ruin with an interesting history. Local historians Jervise and Warden recount that in the time of James I a certain John Melville was Sheriff of Kincardineshire.
He was generally unpopular particularly among certain Barons of the county who took their grievances to the King.
"Sorrow gin the Sheriff were sodden and supped in broo."He is reputed to have said.
To cut a long story short the Sheriff was lured to the Garvock on pretence of attending a hunting party.There he was attacked and cast into a cauldron of boiling water and scalded to death.
Upon learning of the murder and in an apparent reversal of his previous position James outlawed three of the lairds.Of David Barclay, the ringleader, the Monarch decreed that he live henceforth "neither on land nor upon the water."
To escape the royal vengeance Barclay had the Kaim constructed for himself and it was here that he lived out his days.
Now only the west side of the building remains on a site commanding the entrance to the sea inlet.Shags and a jackdaw perched among the ruins seemed to emphasise its sense of desolation.(OS Landranger Sheet 45).
21 June was the summer solstice; the longest day. Time was when a few of us trekked in successive years from the Loch Lee car park at midnight to experience dawn on the summit of Mt. Keen.
Although it never gets really dark in these northern latitudes sunrise on this day is around 4am.
As I recall most expeditions were disappointing in weather that was dreich with poor visibility but on one occasion everything combined to make it a perfect experience that I'll long cherish.(See picture).
We didn't make it this year but one thing's for sure, someone will have been out on the high, wild places of Scotland to greet the midsummer sun.
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Weather for Brechin
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 14 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 8 C to 15 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: East
