Our second day at Ordiefork opened with wintry conditions outside. Not ideal conditions for a walk in the hills (though some may disagree).

We decided to visit a nearby National Trust for Scotland property – Crathes Castle and Estate.

The Estate was once part of the Royal Forest of Drum. In 1323, following Robert the Bruce’s successful campaign against the English as part of his rewarding families that fought with him, he granted the lands of Leys to Alexander Burnard. And Burnard’s descendents were the Burnett in whose hands the ownership of the Estate continues to be held to this day.

Building of Crathes Castle finished in the late 1500s. It presents an interesting mix of fortification and family life. From the seven feet thick walls and narrow windows through to the ‘Horn of Ley’ and the court room on the top floor, Crathes Castle brought the history of the Burnett family in Aberdeenshire to life.

  

  

And then there was the room of the Nine Nobles and the Muses’ room with their brightly coloured ceilings depicting noble and Catholic teachings.

And at the top of the house was the court room.

 

Sadly we didn’t get to walk around the grounds since the weather was just too awful. So we made our way back to Ordiefork.

Later in the afternoon however the weather perked up sufficiently for us all to take Guinness for a walk around the nearby village of Midmar.

So off we set onto the nearby meadow.

Then up into the hills at the back of Ordiefork and overlooking Midmar.

Then back through Midmar and Comers.

By the time we got back the sun was setting. We had managed to walk 4.5 miles and once again it had been fabulous to get out into the surrounding countryside. Guinness now needed feeding, and to be honest we were ready for our evening meal too! ☺

You can view our walk route around Midmar below:

[sgpx gpx=”/wp-content/uploads/gpx/midmar2015.gpx”]