Hill of Tillymorgan

[incompleat]

With the longer evenings, the Sub 2000 Marilyns are providing excellent opportunities for some short walks after the kids are in bed. Tonights choice was Hill of Tillymorgan, just off the A96 near the village of Colpy.

The walk starts at Kirkton farm in Kirkton of Culsalmond. There's a sign on the gate pointing you to the start of the walk. I drove through the gate and parked in front of an old barn. Beside the farm is an old church and graveyard which I took the opportunity to explore before starting the walk.


2 Mile Walk by chimpaction, on Flickr


Church by chimpaction, on Flickr


Church View by chimpaction, on Flickr


Churchyard View by chimpaction, on Flickr


To start the walk properly, I followed the sign and headed uphill away from the farm. There are two or three gates to deal with, all of which have smaller side gates (the first had a broken latch, the second was working and the third was wired closed). The old road is easy to walk on and passes between the fields - at this time they were full of lambs. Just before entering the forestry, there's a wooden structure hidden in the tree-line which looks out over the fields. I assume it's a deer hide? From here, there are cracking views back towards Bennachie.


Old Farm Road by chimpaction, on Flickr


Hide by chimpaction, on Flickr


Tillymorgan Panorama by chimpaction, on Flickr


Entering forestry by chimpaction, on Flickr


Next, the road enters the forestry and becomes more muddy, but still easy to walk on. There's a well-made track off to the right, which I assume is for access to the transmitter further round the hill. I ignored this and carried on straight ahead.

Eventually, the track bends to the right, around some fenced off new forestry. There's a faint track which carries on in a northerly direction but I ignored this and followed the track as it curved round in a north-easterly direction. After a short distance, I left the track and took a direct line staright up the hill alongside some old growth.


Hill of Foudland II by chimpaction, on Flickr


Turbines by chimpaction, on Flickr


Glens of Foudland by chimpaction, on Flickr


I reached the summit 30 minutes after leaving the farm. The top of the hill was quite a surprise. Short grass and heather, but lots of piles of slate from old quarrying. There was a large quarry near the trigpoint as well as lots of smaller holes, perfect for falling into if you're not careful.


Slate by chimpaction, on Flickr


Excavations by chimpaction, on Flickr


Hill of Tillymorgan Summit by chimpaction, on Flickr

I returned by the same route.

[dugred]

Great post and great pics. My Grandson just turned four years old and I'm introducing him to the delights of the hills. This walk will be perfect so thanks for the report.

[Whyte]

this is a great report, i'm about to head up there tonight

[GariochTom]

Great photographs; really nice colours. This report has definitely inspired me to get up that hill soon!