New Boots and Vertigo

My walking boots are very comfy and have taken me to some exceptional places in their life-time. They have helped me trudge the streets of Moscow, up Mont Segur and through the Valley of the Kings. But they are past their prime and probably not up to the challenge of my new adventure which is to walk the West Highland Way so, with sadness, it is time to let them go.
I enlisted the expert knowledge of the staff at Cotswold Outdoor and came away with a very fine pair of boots which I have been breaking in by wearing them around the house. Today I decided that it was time for them to face the great outdoors and so we went on a jaunt around Stonehaven and the surrounding area.
I often take Rousay (the dog) along Stonehaven beach where she plays with her various doggy friends but today I decided to go up to the war memorial and back. Google maps assured me there was a path from the harbour area up Bervie Braes (very steep slopes behind the harbour area) but when I looked at where the path was supposed to be I decided discretion was the better part of valour and opted for a longer, but decidedly safer, walk along the street and then onto the old coast road. It was a very pleasant walk and when we reached the memorial I thought it would be equally pleasant to continue along the coastal path towards Dunnottar Castle a short distance away. The path is very close to the edge of a very steep descent onto the rocks below, so, as Rousay isn't familiar with the consequences of running over steep inclines and as a collie had to be rescued nearby recently for deciding to investigate such consequences, I put her back on her lead while the path hugged the edge of the cliffs.
I don't think I have ever mentioned on this blog that I suffer from vertigo. It hits me sometimes when I am near the edge of high buildings or precipitous places. I say sometimes as it is rather random. On some occasions it can be severe and other times barely noticeable and it is not dependent on the size of the drop. However, I try to not let it control me or my activities and have developed coping mechanisms that work quite well. Well, today my vertigo decided to make an appearance...and dialled it up to 11! And then I realised that there is no coping mechanism to reach for when you have a dog on a lead that is trying to pull you along a path and there is a vertical drop immediately to your left!
Often, when it is as bad as it was today, I will use my hand to shield my eyes on the side nearest the drop - if I can't see it, it can't scare the bejeebus out of me. Today, however, I needed my left hand to hold Rousay's lead as my right hand was desperately trying to hold onto the grass on my right side! I have great faith in the saving strength of grass...well it seems that way when a fall feels immanent!
After a panicked few minutes I reached what I considered to be safer ground but there was no way I could return along that path. An alternative route back into Stonehaven had to be found!
I could have returned along the old coast road from where I rejoined it at the castle car park but decided to walk along to Dunnottar woods, another favourite spot for Rousay to run free. And so my short walk to break in my new boots turned into a nearly ten kilometre trek! The boots worked well and my panic has subsided. Alternative walks will be sought in future although I have to admit it is a very fine walk with some splendid views...if you have a head for heights.