Day 20(14) : Sheiling of Saughs to Brechin

Thursday 23rd May 35km 556m ascent

A beautiful starry night and little cloud when I woke, just stay in bed until the sun reaches the tent, raining by 7.30, oh well. A pleasant walk down the glen, although by this time the cloud was very low, the birds were singing and dippers dipping. The track is a bit rough and wet but I hope it's not 'improved'.

For future reference there is a fine camping area where the Smithy Burn joins the Water of Saughs. When I reached Hunthill lodge (very impressive) I had intended to take the path over the hill but there was no sign of it so I stayed on the road.

The legs were feeling very tired today and my knee was playing up which was not helped by the tarmac but at least my decision to stay on the road was justified as there was no sign of the hill path at the other end either.

When the Water of Saughs become the West Water the land becomes more agricultural in character and the weather had relented to showers as I climbed the last hill before the coast, the Caterthuns, these are capped by two iron age hilltop enclosures but, like most of these structures, best viewed from a distance, or from the information board!

There was little traffic on the road and I managed to take a reasonable picture of a squirrel just before Little Brechin, where they have built an enclosed area, with seat, around the village notice board that had an invitation to attend a meeting about another proposed wind farm.

Brechin is not impressive; the only place that didn't look run down was the large supermarket on the outskirts. The campsite is fine, although I could not find anyone to pay, so I pitched in a secluded corner, cooked the dinner and retired to the nearly empty bar round the corner and listened to the line dancing lessons being held in the lounge!.