I went for a rare hike with a friend today, up a disused railway line that is part of the Dava Way. Whilst much of the coastline was blanketed in cloud, in the foothills we were just clear of the grey, and the sun came out, illuminating little worlds like this.
We soon got tempted of the path by some ruined cottages along the route, and went to explore.
I love exploring old ruins like this. There are so many stories in the objects that are left behind. It’s like time-travel.
The second ruined cottage we visited had the most incredible walls – wattle and daub, with the birch twigs still visible – and remarkably vibrant wall-paper still on display in faded glory. And the world’s most unprocessed sheep skin (complete with head.)
After the cottage, we hiked up the hill behind it, with a view of the nearby wind-turbines. There was a lovely open woodland of Scots Pine trees, with wild heather carpeting the ground. Unlike plantation sitka woodland, the Scots Pine trees allow a generous amount of light through and allow a healthy and natural under-storey. You can see and feel the difference immediately.
Last stop – some disused barns. Possibly chicken sheds, in some ways unexceptional, I actually really loved the feel of them – the bleached wood, the concrete frames, the faded red brick towers, the open windows, the flotsam. Perhaps there’s something in the proportions and simplicity of buildings like this.
It’s a nice reminder that you don’t have to be in a city to do some urban decay exploring…there’s ruins to explore and treasures to find just of the beaten track, wherever you are.
The Nose... 
Posted on 02/03/2021 by Tom Allan
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