This short rural walk visits a stone tower with extensive views over the surrounding countryside near Tarves, which itself is worth a visit.
Waymarked paths, steep climb, can be muddy
None to start.
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Prop of Ythsie car park, off B999. Map and directions.
To reach the car park head east and then south from Tarves on the B999. Take the turn on the left signed for Ythsie and the car park is on the left side after a short distance. From the car park follow the signed path across a grassy area and then turn right onto a track. This can be muddy at times. Soon look for a path leading through trees on the right and follow this uphill at the edge of a field.
Cross a farm track and continue uphill on the left side of a stone wall with the square tower of the Prop of Ythsie (pronounced Icy) now clearly in view. Go through a gate to follow the final section of path and another gate which leads to the tower itself.
The Prop was built in 1861 from subscriptions raised by the tenants of the Haddo Estate to George Hamilton Gordon, the Fourth Earl of Aberdeen, and owner of Haddo House. He was a prominent statesman who became Prime Minister during the Crimean War and is also credited with persuading Queen Victoria to purchase the Balmoral Estate during a visit to Haddo.
The 91 spiral, stone steps of the tower can be climbed if you don't mind the dark and the increasing amounts of bird mess as you climb. There is a metal chain, but a torch would be handy. Once out on the square, castellated top, there are extensive views over the countryside, particularly to Tarves, which has a lovely village square surrounded by stone cottages and is worth a visit. Nearby Haddo House, now managed by the National Trust for Scotland, can also be clearly made out, as well as the surrounding parkland which is a Country Park managed by Aberdeenshire Council. To return retrace the outward route to the car park.
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Walking can be dangerous and is done entirely at your own risk. Information is provided free of charge; it is each walkers' responsibility to check it and navigate using a map and compass.
