Trillian's cache Traditional Cache
Westhill_Wanderer: Shame to archive but might replace next time I'm out here.
The Moss was a blaze of yellow broom this morning.
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Trillian’s cache is situated on Portlethen Moss, an acidic bog close to the main road south of Aberdeen. Whilst it is much smaller now than it was as the area has been developed, it still supports a variety of plant and animal life. It contains significant amounts of prehistoric, middle-age and seventeenth century history and is crossed by a ridge which became the route of the stone Causey Mounth which connected Aberdeen to coastal areas south.
The moss contains Iron Age stone circles and other artefacts. Whilst only elevated areas could actually be used for habitation, the moss provided a means of defense for the local inhabitants and it is known that for example the Romans were daunted not only by Portlethen Moss but also by the other mosses in the area – Netherley and Cookney. Indeed the most northerly Roman Camp in Scotland is situated just to the south of these mosses. The route was used to access the historic meeting of the Covenanters at Muchalls Castle in the year 1638 as they opposed the Bishops of Aberdeen, and used by William Keith 7th Earl of Marischal and James Graham 1st Marquess of Montrose when they led a Covenanter army of 9000 men in the biggest battle of the Bishops’ Wars in 1639. Three coastal villages - Findon, Old Portlethen and Downies – lie on the edge of the moss. Slightly more inland, large areas of the original moss have been replaced by the commuter town of Portlethen.
These coastal mosses were formed by a process of glaciation which produced depressions in the ground which formed ponds. Spagnum mosses flourished increasing soil acidity, this process being accelerated by decay of organic matter. This in turn led to peat production. Until such time as these areas were grazed and humans began to make their mark, these mosses would actually grow in size. A variety of plants grow on the moss and deer are regularly seen. Prior to the expansion of house building in the area it was the home of the Great Crested Newt
In recent years, attempts have been made to conserve what is left of Portlethen Moss. The areas within Portlethen itself are probably the most accessible and the previous unofficial paths have been formalised to some degree and there are now several access points from Bruntland Road and Muirend Road.
The cache is accessible from the Bruntland Road area of Portlethen town where on-road parking is available (Parking reference). When the cache was placed the paths tended to be wet, muddy and boggy although a couple of bridges had been built in recent years which cross some of the worst areas. In the last few months proper multipurpose paths have been laid which are suitable for walkers and off-road buggies. Nevertheless boots and even Wellingtons are advisable if you intend straying off these.
The cache is situated about 20 metres from the new path and is a click-lock plastic box containing a pencil case, a pen, some crayons, a folding ruler and a plastic bangle. You will probably have to use the clue to find it.
We used to live in Portlethen and the cache is named after Trillian, my first Golden Retriever who loved the moss. When she was a puppy, it took a lot of encouragement to get her out on to the moss, each day going a bit further and a bit further. Then she saw the deer …….. and after that there was no stopping her. She spent hours there running back and forward through mud and ponds. People used to comment on the man who took a white dog on to the moss and brought back a black one. That was me!!!!!! Dog owners – you have been warned.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Haqre n fznyy ohg cebzvarag ebjna va gur zvqfg bs tbefr gb gur evtug bs cngu
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