Duchray Hill & Mount Blair
Posted: Sat Mar 10, 2012 11:51 pmSet off a wee bit early and got a parking placeon the B951 at the edge of the woods without obstructing the gate. (43/155643).
Set off down the edge of the wood through marshy ground at first which soon became easy walking as the land steepened. Spotted a modern shepherd checking his sheep from a quad bike. Probably cheaper than a garron !
Shelterd from most of the sharp breeze by the dyke running up the crest of the ridge to the summit.
Disturbed a herd of about 80 hinds which first headed off away from me then doubled back lower down, probably because my scent was swirling around and I kept disapearing from their view.
I agree that the corner of the dyke seems a wee bit higher than the Sumit cairn, but who cares, I didn't stay long enough to measure it as the wind was pretty chilling now that I was fully exposed to it.
Saw the hinds heading back to their original grazing area as I headed down.
A quick sandwich and cold coffee at the car, then walked a few hundred meters along the road to where the Mt Blair radio mast access road starts.
Bah'd gently at a flock of sheep straddling the path to try to stop them from scattering wildly, as farmers are a little tetchy if you make their sheep go running around at this time of year. You're liable to be blamed for miscarriages/abortions etc. Dive bombed by a Teuchat, who must've been starting to nest nearby !
Path is fairly steep, but good easy walking with a gate at the end of the grassy section.
Surprised a herd of about 50 young stags further up the track. I didn't think that stags herded, but maybe young ones do.
There's a wee posh windbreak beside the trig-point & cairn which has a memorial plaque to some locals.
Headed down and sped off to Dundee to have a snack before going to the Capt Scott centenary lecture at the University by Dr Wilson's great grand nephew - pretty good.
Headed back to Aberdeen after a hot cup of expensive coffee (Calling it an Americano seems to double the price)getting home around 9pm for a lush soak in the bath.
Set off down the edge of the wood through marshy ground at first which soon became easy walking as the land steepened. Spotted a modern shepherd checking his sheep from a quad bike. Probably cheaper than a garron !
Shelterd from most of the sharp breeze by the dyke running up the crest of the ridge to the summit.
Disturbed a herd of about 80 hinds which first headed off away from me then doubled back lower down, probably because my scent was swirling around and I kept disapearing from their view.
I agree that the corner of the dyke seems a wee bit higher than the Sumit cairn, but who cares, I didn't stay long enough to measure it as the wind was pretty chilling now that I was fully exposed to it.
Saw the hinds heading back to their original grazing area as I headed down.
A quick sandwich and cold coffee at the car, then walked a few hundred meters along the road to where the Mt Blair radio mast access road starts.
Bah'd gently at a flock of sheep straddling the path to try to stop them from scattering wildly, as farmers are a little tetchy if you make their sheep go running around at this time of year. You're liable to be blamed for miscarriages/abortions etc. Dive bombed by a Teuchat, who must've been starting to nest nearby !
Path is fairly steep, but good easy walking with a gate at the end of the grassy section.
Surprised a herd of about 50 young stags further up the track. I didn't think that stags herded, but maybe young ones do.
There's a wee posh windbreak beside the trig-point & cairn which has a memorial plaque to some locals.
Headed down and sped off to Dundee to have a snack before going to the Capt Scott centenary lecture at the University by Dr Wilson's great grand nephew - pretty good.
Headed back to Aberdeen after a hot cup of expensive coffee (Calling it an Americano seems to double the price)getting home around 9pm for a lush soak in the bath.