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I couldn't let thursday's weather get away without a walk but didn't fancy slogging up a big un in these temperatures so I headed off to Bennachie - its close to home but has been one of those 'going to go up there' hills for too long. I packed a little lunch and drinks and though I would make the most of the summit and stay up there a while and have a good look around.
I parked at the 'Back of Bennachie' car park and set off walking in no time, there are signs a plenty and good tracks shown on a decent map in the car park, I followed the signs for 'Mither Tap'
its a good path and a reasonable rate of ascent so the legs are warming nicely as I pass by a junction and more quality signposts
after a really pleasant wander through the trees with only tweeting birds for company the path breaks out and turns left along the tree line
in a short time it turns almost directly up hill and is steeper but not too demanding, the views over open Aberdeenshire are already becoming apparent
the well constructed path continues throughout and swings right as it climbs toward the summit
then suddenly you are almost at the top and another sign directs you to the route of your choice
I opted to head east toward Craigshannoch first having decided to make a circle of the peaks up top
its a fine path that undulates along the top and the distance is covered quickly
as I make the top, Oxen Craig comes into view and away in the distance across the wide expanse of green a windfarm!
looking directly north the views stretch out across the shire forever
looking to the east I can see the sea on the horizon, and 'Mither Tap' hogging the skyline - I confess that from here it would appear to be the higher of the two main peaks
I set off toward Mither Tap before noting a cairn away to the left so head for that first, it's a well constructed affair with great views from here over to the north sea
I then dropped down quite a way to join the main trail up to Mither Tap from the Bennachie Centre car park
it's an easy walk with great views and just a little climb at the end to reach the foot of Mither Tap (and the now anticipated sign)
then it's just a few steps through the old stone wall of the pictish castle that stood here historically
from the top the views are fantastic, true 360 panoramas of Aberdeenshire, it really is fantastic for such a small hill
I spent a good 15 mins on this summit enjoying the views, I had a natter with a young woman who came and went quite quickly and then I headed off down a lesser trodden track on the west side of Mither Tap and across the heather toward 'Bruntwood Tap'
it's a short blast through the heather to the crag but I suspect this could be really mega boggy in a wet time so perhaps sticking to the main path would be wise - looking back to Mither Tap
looking west to the main summit of the day, there is nothing of a pathway to follow so it's animal tracks through the heather again during which time I fall and crack my hand on a rock dislocating a finger end....great
I reach the main path close to the beginning of the rise to the summit and am soon heading up with finger throbbing
once up there the view east shows almost all of the layout and other than the finger its been a great day out
I can even see lochnagar from here, then again I think you can see that mountain from everywhere in Aberdeenshire (or so it seems)
after a bite to eat and a drink, catching the finger and ooo'ing every 2 minutes I decide to pull it back into place - turns out that is easier said than done but after a moderate amount of swearing and yanking it makes a satisfying click and slips back into place.....but it wont straighten out
still - good job I reckon
I take a last look around the summit as two guys arrive before packing my stuff and heading home
I dropped in at the doc's in Banchory who tells me I have ruptured a tendon and need to go to A&E in Aberdeen - great
- so a couple of hours later I'm home with a new look for 6 weeks
Anyway, this is a cracking little hill which is well worth a wander, suitable for the family or just yourself - the views really have to be seen to be appreciated - it's a tremendous reward for such a little effort
