ACTIVE ABERNETHY SEPTEMBER 2019

All these mini adventures are ones we’ve done, with our kids (four and six) all very do-able from Abernethy in a day trip. Google will help you find them.

Head to the cairn up Castle Law, an old fort site. You can probably see it from where you are right now. If you’re feeling adventurous head to the summit of Castle Law from the cairn by heading away from Abernethy to the highest point of the hill, there is a wee path, not massively obvious in places but very do-able. There are a lot of tracks and trails all over and around the whole hill, our kids love it. The main path to the cairn from the village can be a bit steep and loose for some but not majorly so, and not for long at all. There is a new seated area on the way up, with information boards, perfect for a mini picnic or a turnaround. Well worth the effort, good views of our beautiful village and well beyond. A lot of the other paths are very walker/runner friendly. The whole place is den building heaven. Some folks get from the village to the cairn and back to the village in under 20mins, enough time to don one wellie if you’re 4.

Head to Maspie Den, near Pillars of Hercules café, by Falkland. The source of my favourite  coffee. I’ve been all over the world sampling coffee (and croissants!) and Pillars is still my personal favourite. Maspie Den has a waterfall reached by a walkable path that is in a gully by the stream fed by the waterfall. Can be muddy, slippy and has some drops and spooky dark tunnels beside Falkland House, so beware of ghosts, and trains! I’m happy with my kids scrambling about in the stream and waterfall, it’s up to you what yours do. Distance is under four kilometres. Signposts, information panels and tree art from Pillars café. The road passes just above the waterfall possibly making it more accessible for some, but still stairs and mud. From the gully you wouldn’t know the road was there. I’ve seen similar waterfalls in the greater jungles of the world, as you rise there is a bit of a feeling of temperate zone change similar to that experienced on the likes of Kilimanjaro, all in a fairly short wander.  

Head to Pitmedden Forest, on a bike. How can you not if you live in Abernethy!! I’ve done a lot of cycling and feel that Pitmedden is in a class of its own, for all ages, stages and abilities of rider. The wider forest roads through Pitmedden are very rideable on a basic bike with limited ability. There are hills, but there are also gears and a daddy push. Main tracks are do-able by our four year old, with some limited support. We often park up by the top gate, where there are some big rocks with paint on them and head along the main track through the gate, play around on the main track or the wee ones off the sides, then turn around and head back to the car. A wee bit of navigation savvy and a lot of common sense will serve you well here. There are endless options of loops for kids. Anything from 25 minutes to a full day is good here. Always, always look ahead for what/who’s coming!! Horses, dogs, walkers, steep drops, mud, wee broon mooses, snakes and even a tod! If you, or your kids, don’t have a bike or the skills, give me a shout.

Head to Balvaird Castle. Simple. Go on a sunny day, take a picnic and Knight outfit and play all day. Take something for your kids to wear too. Ace.

Obviously we always tell someone where we’re going and our time of return, we plan ahead for the weather, daylight and conditions underfoot. We take fully charged mobile phones, some money, snacks, extra clothes and around 47 tonnes of lego!!!! We often plan to be out all day take a picnic or a stove to make a really basic hot meal such as baked beans on oatcakes or pasta and sauce, eaten out of the pot to reduce washing up! A new approach to eating out, one we like!

 And………  Ding-Ding, you know who you are. Well done!

Kyle Strachan