Day 21 – I rose hearty after a good night’s sleep

• Rosehearty
• 0 kms

The idea that the town got its name from a traveller who “rose hearty” after helping a ghost find peace is less likely true than gaelic explanation, but I prefer the myth. I certainly slept well in the excellent Davron Hotel.

I ate two full Scottish breakfasts here, a haddock and chips dinner, and a carvery mountain of food on Sunday. All was delicious. The staff were all genuinely friendly and appeared to get on great with each other.

On my arrival on Saturday evening, my kayak was welcomed into the beer garden as if it were another paying customer.

The wind and sea state were a steady F5 all day, so I was happy with my decision to take a weather day. It wouldn’t have been pleasant in a kayak at Rattray Head. Instead, I opted to take the four and a half mile hike along the Rosehearty Heritage Trail with its delightful information boards.

Before I had made my hotel reservation, I had checked to see if the town had a campsite. My old OS map indicated it did, but Google Maps showed no sign of it. On my arrival, I saw camper vans on a grassy area next to the Community Boat Club, fifty metres from the start of the trail.

I had a pleasant chat with Peter, one of the founders of the camping area, outside the Boat Club clubhouse. After the original commercial campsite closed down, the club took it on as a Motorhome Aire. The club is a registered charity, and motorhome owners can become temporary members for the small daily fee of £10 that entitles them to a spot on the grass. Unfortunately, tent owners are not given the same welcome, as previous tent owners on two wheeled motorised vehicles had been known to abuse the privilege. Peter did indicate that, under rare circumstances, this rule could be overlooked.

Some pictures from the Heritage Trail (walked in reverse direction):