GCTEZF Beast of Balbirnie (Traditional Cache) in Northern Scotland, United Kingdom created by third generation

This cache has been archived.

third generation: time for a bit of new!

GCTEZF ▼

A cache by third generation Message this owner

Hidden : 2/14/2006

Difficulty:

Terrain:

Size: Size: small (small)

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Geocache Description:

Changed from a Multi to a Traditional due to problems with clues.

A delightful walk in a very pleasant woodland area.

Balbirnie Park lies to the north east of Glenrothes and comprises of around 416 acres of woodland and parkland which is riddled with woodland walks and bridle paths. The area is very popular with dog walkers, joggers and wildlife spotters with a family of deer reportedly living close by. There is also one of the best collections of Rhododendrons to be found in the east of Scotland and visiting this area whilst they are in bloom is a must for any nature lover.

Balbirnie House Hotel is one of Scotland’s top small luxury hotels and lies in the middle of this Park. It was built in 1777 but is now privately owned and run. The building is listed Grade A of architectural and historical importance and is most probably one of the largest and earliest Grecian style houses to be built in Scotland. The hotel also boasts a craft centre for those cachers in need of some retail therapy after locating the cache.

The beast of Balbirnie is believed to be a large black cat, either a puma, Lynx or other exotic cat. Footprints have been found in these woods and are currently being examined by Zoologists to try to determine exactly what kind of animal left these tracks.

Fife Police believe the introduction of the Dangerous Wild Animals Act in 1976 led many people to release “pets” into the wild, some of which found mates and were successful in breeding, possibly even between existing known species accounting for the varying sizes and colours of the animals sighted. Sceptics believe there are not enough food stocks and habitat for such animals to have survived this long with no concrete proof of their existence. (i.e. carcass, clear photograph etc). The choice of what to believe is yours!

We have said that this cache takes less than an hour to complete, which it does IF you only want to do the cache. If however you wish to truly appreciate this area with the possible sightings of roe deer; squirrel; fox; ducks, carpets of snowdrops and daffodils in the Spring and path bounded by beautifully cultivated rhododendrons then your meanderings could take a lot longer.

If you wish to take in the Craft Centre with its Leather shop; Jewellery shop; Pottery and Glass shop along with the walled garden then time should be elastic. The children might enjoy trying to spot the man walking his dog in the gardener’s garden!

There is free parking available at N56° 12.233 W003° 08.544.

Please note this walk was completed with a stroller and will be wheelchair friendly, just make sure you take the correct paths as some of them do have steps.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Qnex naq qrrc

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)