Some wee tumps near Maryculter.

[Gordon Ballantyne]

Home turf today. Just a scoot doon the bypas to Marycoulter for the first parkup. Nae GC today as I'd left it too late to let him know the plan and he had an appointment anyway. Just Harvey and me for these tiddlers south of the Dee just outside Aberdeen



Oldman Hill

our_route.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts

Squeezed in by the Marykirk church as the scool bus was occupying the pull-in by the cemetry. Walked up through the village and over a gate into a field occupied by horses. Fortumately the were over the back where their forage had been positioned. We caught sight of them as we got to the top, but they weren't interested in us - only their grub. Returned the same way before the residents woke up.

Harvey at the top of Oldman Hill

Craigingles

our_route.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts

Parked by the entrance to the old quarry in a layby.

Parkup for Craigingles

Entered the track by a slippery style. Followed a dogwalkers path up through the trees and on to a path leading over the crest of the hill. Wandered over to a plook on the end which looked marginally higher, but turned out not to be. Took a pick anyway, then walked back over the top, before I realised I'd lost Harvey.

Top of Craigingles

Returning to the plook, I whistled and he came a-running - good dog. Returned to the car more or less the same way.




Cran Hill

our_route.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts

Started as an easy bag, but became a real thrutch from the corner of the field to the top through overgrown ancient brash and clearfell.

Parkup for Cran Hill

Seemed to take ages to make the 200m or so to the highest point. Got a bit lost on the way back as I weaved around to make way and came out in the next field. Just a wee walk back up the road to the car parked at the entrance to the field.

Harvey near the top of Cran Hill

Old clearfell on Cran

Clochandighter

our_route.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts

Paked up on the road opposite the wooden gate guarding the entrance to the track up to the water supply. Struggled a bit to lift the gate to be able to slide the bolt.
At the first bend, a dogwalker had parked his van to allow about a dozen dogs to exercise in the field by the track. He waited until H and I passed before allowing his hordes out of the field back into his van. An easy stroll up to the trig. Felt the urge to ascend to the top of the water supply tank as it was higher than the trig - so I did. Good view of the southern part of the AWPR.

Trig of Clochandighter

AWPR from Clochandighter

Berry Top


Parked beside a fenced entrance to a fishing pond.

our_route.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts

Walked back up the road to the N and through a hole in the fence into a tussocky glebe surrounded by trees. Had to surmount another fence to exit the glebe, then another new one, before having to loup a dyke to get to the trig.
Nice views to the NW with the bigger hills clothed in their winter mantle.

Trig of Berry Top

Snow-capped hills from Berry Top

Got back to the car more or less the same way.
A bit soggy underfoot from Tuesday's rain from Storm Barra. We'd heard the rain battering the windows from inside Borsalinos whilst having Don's post-grad dinner !
Nae wind today though.