Native forest and some geology at Burn o’ Vat

We had driven up past Ballater on the recommendation of the others who had been there a few days before we arrived on Deeside, to Dinnet, where we could do some walks in amongst birch and pine forest, and see a few interesting bits of history into the bargain!  Our first  walk was a short one, along a path edged with grasses, bracken and wild flowers, through the birches and pines, following a small burn upstream, crossing it occasionally,   

 

 

 

and  soon we reached a little waterfall seeming to spring from the rocks.  Just a little further on we found the burn again flowing through a narrow gorge that because of a fallen rock looked like a doorway. Luckily the burn was low and the stones that acted as stepping stones were clear of the water.  Actually it didn’t matter as far as I was concerned as I was wearing my Crocs and could paddle through the water, when my balance wasn’t good enough to cross the stones!  Have to say the water was pretty cold! 

Once through the “doorway” and the little gorge, we found ourselves in a huge almost circular hollow about 80 feet in diameter, with a very pretty waterfall at the far end.   

Last time I tried to explain the rock erosion that took place centuries ago at the Linn of Dee.  Well, this was probably formed in the same way – I reckon towards the end of the ice age.  Water and stone debris would have been washed downstream, and the way out being so narrow, it probably whirled round and round gradually over millennia eroding the surrounding rock to form this large vat for which it is named!   I found the place quite magical.  Someone told me that there was also a cave behind one of the cataracts, but I wasn’t confident about scrambling about on the rocks to investigate further!  I felt quite pleased that I had actually reached the Vat itself! 

Of course I had to prove I’d been there –  friends often ask why I am not in any of my photos (because it’s MY camera and I take the photos)!  However I allowed Colin to take a few photos for the record.

On the way out, through the gorge, I paddled when I couldn’t manage the gaps between stones. 

We walked back down the path again, back to the carpark where  we  were going to set off in another direction, but I’ll write about that next time.

 

   Talk again soon.