Green, blue and rocky around Dunkeld

A useful climbing spot south of Aberdeen is Dunkeld in Perthshire.  Here we can find the obvious outcrops near the main road, but also those more hidden and secretive, which involve some walking through the woods to find it. Dunkeld is separated from Birnam by the river Tay and the Birnam wood is mentioned in Macbeth, one of the most well known Shakespeare's tragedy. Dunkeld is very picturesque and it has a XIII century cathedral which is worth a visit.

Grey in Beinn a' Bhùird

Some endurance is needed to do this climb. It is not for the climb itself but for the full day before, during and after the climb. Leaving Aberdeen at around 10am, parking the car at Invercauld Estate, get on the bike up the valley with the camping and climbing gear on the back, put the tent up in the fairy valley, eat and get some water in the stream, get again on the bike with the climbing gear on the back, lock the bikes, hike up the mountain, look up for the climbing route, multi-pitch climbing, going down the mountain, get on the bikes, arrive to the tent, sleep. The only feasible activity for the following day after packing everything and getting on the bikes down the valley was to drive to Linn of Dee and swim.

Nab Crags in blue

The Lake District is full of little pretty places. By going away from the main roads and the main lakes the bustling gives place to the silence of the valleys. The Lakes are a handy region to have close by, either to climb, hike or sailing. The other temptation of the Lakes is its several country pubs. These are cosy and warm in the winter, always with the fire on. In the summer they have tables "al fresco" and the food tastes even better.