Some turfers might think it’s totally crazy to drive for an hour, then slither 580m down a muddy precipitous path with a sheer drop on one side, in winds gusting to 40 mph and with horizontal rain and sea spray reaching the parts other rains never reach, all for one single solitary lonely desolate and very dodgy zone. And they may well be quite right, however. Yes, however, this isn’t any old zone, this isn’t even a Marks & Spencer’s zone, but it is a Scottish castle and an FTT zone, one that has been left sadly neglected since July last year.
To be honest, I did find myself questioning my decision to come here this day. I’m thinking who’s idea was this as the wind slammed me into the dry-stone wall by the access gate. And what the heck am I doing here as I slip on a slimy weathered outcrop of either Ordovician greywacke or Silurian shale, I never can tell which is one or the other, and end up with a soggy derriere. Then I say to myself, toughen up young man, you’ve done this before, on a Surly Pugsley fat bike, no less. It cannot be any worse than that!
Actually, I was quite surprised to find that zone FastCastle had remained untaken for more than a year, quite possibly because few turfers could be bothered to venture all this way for a solitary turf zone. However, PlanetGary is not always driven by points alone, often more for the (mini) adventure and also something to write a turf blog about. Then, as I’m approaching the wee bridge the awful thought occurs, what if there’s no signal? Perhaps that’s why the zone has never been taken? So I check the phone and guess what, no signal. Bugger! All this way for nothing. Thankfully, I get a signal further into the castle, away from the cliffs. Phew!
Fast Castle is well worth the visit, if only for the views alone. Many a time I’ve been here with a picnic lunch, my wee Trangia meths stove for a brew and binoculars for some sea watching. Always wanted to camp here overnight but never got round to it. The path down is very steep and can be tricky underfoot but is manageable with care. The narrow stone bridge that replaced the original drawbridge is exciting but take care as there are no guard rails around the castle itself and its a long way down to the sea. Have fun.
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