Glenfenzie to Morven Lodge
A walk steeped in history for Katrina Farquhar
Firstly I would like to thank everyone for their support by voting for me on the 19th March in the CNPA elections. I am delighted to be back on the board and look forward to the next four years. The first meeting after the elections was held the following Thursday evening at Pitlochry Theatre and then on the Friday at Blair Castle. The venues and food were fantastic but the huge agenda took me back to earth and reality!! Polhollick Bridge will be closed from May until September for a refurbishment, hopefully restoring it to its former glory. This well-used bridge was constructed in 1892 by James Abernethy and Company, Engineers and Iron Founders from Aberdeen. The wrought iron latticing cables and suspension rods make it a significant feature in the landscape. The closure will curtail the Seven Bridges walk but it gives us the opportunity to explore alternatives. One walk close by that is a particular favourite of mine is from Glenfenzie to Morven Lodge. Drive from Ballater up the A939 Gairnside road over the Gairnshiel Bridge up past the church and over the top of the Shenval, then you will see a green bridge. There is plenty room to park here and it is only a short walk along the road to where a track goes off to your right. Walk up here and you will see an old ruin on the left – this is Glen Fenzie Farm. If you look closely you will find a lintel stone with the date 1822. The view down Gairnside is fantastic, and on a clear day Mount Keen is stunning. Follow the track down the hill rather than the one running behind the house. You have to cross the Glen Fenzie Burn by stepping stones, following which the track then goes slightly left and you start uphill. The track is an old Landrover one so easy to walk on. You then descend into the bowl of Morven Lodge – in fact a large green saucer shape. The lodge was owned the Keiller family of Dundee Jam and Marmalade fame. However in 1891, Keiller built a new Morven Lodge nearer Ballater and demolished the original. The
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new one is of course now the Hilton Craigendarroch. There is very little evidence left of the old Lodge, but there are some old buildings such as the laundry which is now used for shooting parties to have their lunch. There are ruins of the stables, the keeper’s house and the shepherd’s house. When my father first left school he would spend the summer here with his flock of sheep and stayed in the shepherd’s house. He worked for J McKenzie, Flockmaster, of Dinnet. He walked the sheep from Dinnet, Mulloch and Groddie to summer them at Morven Lodge. As you walk down the road, you pass a pillared gateway which unfortunately has fallen into a pretty bad state of repair. If you are feeling particularly fit you could then climb to the top of Morven. You can see the track directly in front of you as you look from the old lodge. You can also retrace your steps back to the green bridge via Glen Fenzie and this route is about four miles. Alternatively you can also have a wee detour over the Lary Hill, adding on a mile to your walk, but you do see a great panoramic view. Follow the road out past the old gateway and head south towards Lary Farm, where my mother was brought up when it was still a working farm. Just under a mile down the road you will see a path going up the side of the hill although it disappears a bit at the top, but just walk towards the big cairn on the summit. Great views are to be had of Lochnagar and Ben Avon on a fine day. If you then head past the cairn on the right look out for the track used to walk towards Morven Lodge. Be careful as it is a bit rough and stony going back down the hill. Once back onto the track just head back to the car and home again or maybe stop in Ballater for a cup of tea and a fine piece in one of the delightful cafes there.