After parking at the harbour, we set off by heading back into the village and climbed some steps to join the footpath leading to Barbank Street, which gave us a fine view of the harbour and the many buildings surrounding it. There were a few drops of rain and a chilly breeze, so it was jackets on, but after leaving the village the sun came out and the waterproofs were promptly put back into our bags.
We hugged the dramatic and rugged coastline from Portsoy to Sandend, passing an outdoor swimming pool; a disused rifle range; nesting seabirds; pill boxes and various other war time defences. We walked on roads, grassed footpaths, farm tracks, gorse-lined paths and along the sandy seashore at Sandend.
There are lots of walking paths around Portsoy and in several places on our walk we came across empty milk cartons which had been tied to fences. These empty milk cartons had a hole cut in the side and were filled with dog poo bags – a very useful reminder for those with dogs to pick up their doggie mess.
After a picnic lunch at Sandend, it was back along the beach to the steps, through the gorse and on to join the farmland tracks back into Portsoy.
The 3 dogs who joined us, also loved their run around on the beach too.
Brenda Cooper
Aberlour Parish Church 