Strichen;down by the Ugie

Writing his railway guide 'The Howes of Buchan' in 1865, William Anderson  eulogised : 'Strichen which is without exception, the most attractive and picturesque spot on the whole line. Lying in a snug little valley, with the towering crest of Mormond on the one side, the limpid waters of the Ugie on the other, and embowered among trees - Strichen is, without doubt, one of the prettiest little villages in Buchan.'

Anderson's description of Strichen seemed particularly apt between the hail showers as we walked along the riverside path from the railway viaduct to Howford. Within the last week the wood anemones have come into flower, hawthorn leaf buds are at last opening, there was much bird activity suggesting nest building, larks over head and  a pair of roe deer peered shyly at us from the trees near the foot bridge.

 

Wood anemones, (Anemone nemorosa) and the occasional Lesser Celandine (Ranunculus ficaria) on the banks of the Ugie

The 'bridge of the three sevens' built in 1777, carries the old coach road over the Ugie at Howford

Looking over the village from the coach road close to the junction with the road from Skillymarno. This time last year the trees were in leaf.

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The verge near the old parish church and graveyard is bright with masses of Lesser Celandines, the gutter running with water from  a passing hail shower.