free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).
Looking at the maps for a local wander I 'discovered' the 'Forest of Birse' lurking relatively close to home and decided to give it a look
Parking is at the end of a narrow country road at NO 532 906, on arrival it opens out leaving parking for 3 or 4 cars.
I started out toward a randomly selected hill that would provide a circular route for the day
there is a sign stating no entry/private etc and directing you off the road clearly shown on the OS map and down past a small farm
on passing the farm I see the target hill ahead but there are a few loops to turn first
now I see the reason for the diversion and 'private' signs, Birse Castle has been restored and clearly they don't want us vagabonds strolling past their door
as I pass through a gate I see the route signed and this beautiful autumnal scene, at first glance it may look like a paddle but there is a small footbridge in the trees on the right
its then a pleasant stroll amongst the sheep
the signs then divert me north around the perimeter fence keeping well away from the castle
I see the track I'm looking to get back to in the distance and take a short cut through the heather to reach it
I am soon climbing up and out of the glen
ahead the path splits and the map tells me that the right hand track ends at the summit while the left hand track extends to reach the firmonth road that links Glen Taner with Glen Esk
there is a little ascent before the split and the views begin to open up
crossing to the left hand track means losing the ascent just made as you cross the 'Burn of Auldmad'
once across there is a sign warning landrovers to select very low gear and 4 wheel drive as the true ascent begins
it is quite a steep pull up here and I am glad its a beautiful day, it gives me a reason to stop and take a few more pics
the summit of Gannoch is a typical rounded, heather clad monster with a small cairn in keeping with its stature
on a day like today it is a great place to be, today is about the journey rather than a target of any kind and that has somehow made it more enjoyable
once over the summit I join the firmounth road and head south toward the small bump that is 'Tampie'
it is a very boggy section and I was tempted to jump on this and shoot off, no sign of the owner anywhere
its another small cairn on the summit of Tampie and a nice spot to crack open the flask for the first time today
setting off again it is a bit of a bogfest dropping down toward Glen Tennet aiming to meet the Fungle Road that runs from Tarfside to Aboyne
I cut off the boggy route and drop down to the Fungle Road which runs NE back to Birse Castle and is in much better condition than the one I'm leaving
the Fungle Raod narrows for a while into a footpath but it is well maintained and easy going
it is a long slow descent back to the start, tucked in out of the wind it is like summer down here
the route twists and turns as it descends, keeping things interesting for MTB's by the look of the tracks
there are frequent small waterfalls along the way
and even a little late blooming heather and associated bees happily buzzing around, I sat on the rock in this pic having a cuppa and enjoying the day
once under way again I am soon closing in on the castle
back at the sheep field where I turned off initially and headed north
back at the beautiful autumnal ford area with the small footbridge
from here it was a quick wander back along the route previously travelled, a really enjoyable walk in an area I will be returning to soon
