Baldyquash and a ploughing match before Bennachie

[kevsbald]

I was heading ben the road to see mither and fither up in Aberdeenshire. I remember going up Bennachie as a 7-year old and I suppose this is where it all started from. I remember running doon thon hill without a care in the world. So, coming back 28 years later was an odd experience. As I drove towards Bennachie, I passed signs for Baldyquash and a Ploughing match on the 19th December. Fit would a loon dee with a Phd? As I drove up the wee road off the Insch to Inverurie road, I could barely see Bennachie poking through the freezing fog. It was -6C and a bit nippy kind. Parking was ample and I began the walk through the woods - it's well sign-posted. The walk through the wood was pleasant and I saw some interesting stones to do with silence and chattering birds. Great use of juxtaposition if ever there was one. It wasn't long before I emerged from the woods and made good height. At 530m, it's not exactly a huge hill but it does have great character. The view back across the woods and Aberdeenshire was fab - amazing how flat this area is. I pushed on up towards Oxen Craig and saw another walker just ahead of me at the summit. The condensation on the marker indicated how much warmer it was above the fog - an odd but not unpleasant sensation. I spoke to the guy for a good 10 minutes and we picked out hills in the distance - Ben Rinnes, Lochnagar and even Braeriach - tremendous visibility but nae close enough for my wee camera. I was thinking of others having a great day on higher peaks but I wouldn't have swapped it for the world. I legged it off the summit and began the stretch along to Mither Tap - it didn't take me long and the summit crags here are very interesting to look at - and climb! Had a wee pull up the wee one on the left. It hadn't taken me long to 'bag' this wee fab hill and I ran back down towards the forest just as I had done 28 years ago. It was a rather exhilarating experience for me - the child alive in me was running for joy, freedom and happiness. When I arrived home my dad had asked what it was that attracted me to the hills - I simply told him that there is no happier feeling for me than being in the hills. Plus it also allows you to eat quite a lot of food and imbibe without guilt. Now, fit aboot thon ploughing match....

Michty cal kind

Thataway

Nice fog inversion

Ben Rinnes a muckle distance awa

On top of Oxen Craig

Bobbly Mither Tap

Near the tap o' the Tap

[mountain coward]

Nah then lad, tha's written a good report - writ all in Aberdonian like y'ave. Ah still runs down t' back of aarr moor like we used t' as little 'uns. By 'eck, it makes yer glad dun't it!

[Paul Webster]

I'd never been to Aberdonian parts until this year, easy to see why Bennachie is so popular Still pondering the Doric...

[IainG]

Fit lik a' da thin? Or even worse, my local petrol station advertises to who knows with a sign which is a cross between doric and 'Mearnsic' - 'You may gang faur and fare waur'

Never been up this hill, but I think I could see it from Clachnaben....

[kevsbald]

Iain - Stracathro truckers garage? You certainly may go further and fare worse.
Honest food, which I am sure has shortened the life of many a trucker.