Bow Fiddle Rock

I woke early today so went out for a pre-breakfast walk by the river.  I spotted a mother deer and her young one breakfasting by the river.  I then headed up tot eh Duke of Gordon’s monument and admired the views all around, before walking along the High Street where I discovered the bakers was open.  I headed home with butteries my TT and I, and pancakes for BB.  That was breakfast sorted!
Later we pulled a picnic together and got BB out of bed and set out with no clear destination in mind, but we headed in an easterly direction.  We decided to follow the signs for the Moray Coastal trail.  Our first stop was Kingston on Spey where TT got his binoculars out and claimed to see an eagle.  Next stop was Spey bay where we went for a walk along the shingle spit – just as I did with my dad about forty years ago!  It was a bracing wander, with more people than we would have liked, though as ever we didn’t need to walk far to distance ourselves.  Our journey continued through Portgordon, Buckpool, Buckie – another place I remember from my childhood.  It’s still a major fishing port with evidence of ship building.  I have a memory of seeing the fish market in full flow many years ago, but don’t know whether it still operates.
We parked by the harbour in Findochty.  The sun was out and we had our picnic before wandering around, watching kids jumping off the harbour wall, at various heights, into the harbour.
We resumed our journey and the next stop was Portknockie, before driving on to Cullen. We had a lovely walk along Cullen beach and up on to the cliffs to view the Bow Fiddle Rock.  In getting there we also passed the Whale’s Mou! We retraced our steps partly, then joined the railway path and walked back to Cullen, over the viaduct.
Our final destination for the day was Portsoy for ice cream.  This had been recommended by a friend and we were not disappointed. We took a different route home, via Keith.  TT and I went out for a quick walk as he wanted to check out a local whisky emporium, it was then home for tea.  BB watched more Dr Who and later TT and I watched some more Spiral.
This is the Bow Fiddle Rock.  The extras are of Spey bay, Findochty Harbour, the Whale’s Mou rock, a view over the beach at Cullen and finally a view over the rooftops of Cullen.