Early stages of planning but want to finish my walk at the castle.

As I am not sure what time of day I might end up there, trying to establish if it is possible to camp there or somewhere very close.

Can anyone advise what they have done here

Thanks

Dunnottar Castle (sp, see me). Charming. We live just up the coast and my wife teaches in Stonehaven. Open fields immediately adjacent (grazing) so not ideal for pitching a tent. Nearby, closer to 'Stoney', are some light woods near the minor roads, if you want to make a nest in there. Also, the castle is privately owned and managed. The beaches either side of the headland are lovely, but stoney, with good steps down to them that are open for use even if the castle is closed (at 6 pm in May). Queen Elizabeth Caravan Site takes (or has taken) tents - 3 pitches. It's 2 miles north of the castle on the other end of town. There is a path to the town and down the cliffs from the castle. The harbour is picturesque, nice pubs and then a stroll along the beach road to the camp site past the UK's most northerly open air pool (heated year round) and an excellent sweetie shop near a renowned chipper. What's not to like? Train station in Stonehaven.

Thanks Wendy.

Lots of in%20void(0);fo and lots of choices

Vanessa's right - Windy (as in Trumptonshire). If my plan wasn't something of a stretch on timing, I'd be hoping to finish here myself.

Good place on the beach for a quiet wild camp to contemplate the previous couple of weeks before you rejoin the world. If you fancy the fleshpots and hot showers, try the campsite at Cowie, Stonehaven, with the wonderful art deco heated seawater swimming pool next door.

By the way, I don't think Windy Miller is a Wendy. Possibly a Peter Pan, but not a Wendy.

Afraid the heated open air pool isn't open all year round. This year the season was from 25 May to 1 September. Challengers looking to wash off the grime of a fortnight likely to be disappointed.

I remember a few years back that Caburn found a nice camping spot by dropping down to the beach at Strathlethen Bay and heading through the rock arch back towards Bowdun Head - not tried camping there myself but it certainly is a fairly secluded spot within handy proximity to the Marine Hotel - best take a head-torch for a late return.

That's a shame. I have very fond memories of stripping the willow in the deep end at the aqua ceilidh at the end of the folk festival a few years ago. An aqua ceilidh would make a brilliant end to the Challenge!

Nothing to stop the "aqua ceilidh" Vanessa, the North Sea is adjacent to the beach; plenty of challengers have taken the plunge at the end of their Challenge!

And indeed that is my custom.

Its a crackin idea to have an aqua ceilidh - and , presumably, there's sufficient TGO challenger musicians to make this happen. There's logistical problems to sort out re musical instruments, but, apart from the perishing, brain-numbing nature of the North Sea (I have recent personal experience!), it seems that This Could Be Done.
Is there the will, though?

You wouldn't spot me doing this sort of thing, oh dear me no.....well not unless you look VERY hard.



JJ