Deuchary Hill, stunning in autumn colours

[Chris Mac]

DeucharyHill.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts

We were staying at the But 'n'Ben at Lower Hatton just outside of Dunkeld for three nights last weekend and after getting acquainted with the fun wee town, local landmarks, trees and a nice meal after arriving on day 1 our first agenda on day 2 was a walk up Deuchary Hill, the Marilyn just to the north of where we were.

Having pre-planned a route up it was a pleasant surprise to be starting closer to the hill than the Loch of Craiglush start point I initially had. Heather was kind enough to advise us of a path through the forest from the converted barn, through the forest to join the main track up to Rotmell Loch/Mill Dam and on to Deuchary Hill. She had also tied coloured string around a tree branch where you were to turn, nice one.

On the drive back the night before we had spotted two young deer on the track to the But'n'Ben and they made another appearance at the start of the walk:
20161029_105400 DSCF7977 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Perfect walking conditions, no wind, no rain, no midgies, as we walk along the track and turn left:
20161029_105700 DSCF7978 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

We quickly reach a gate and turn left onto the small tarmac road:
20161029_110200 DSCF7980 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

The summit of Deuchary Hill is now visible, lovely autumn golds, reds, browns and greens in full effect:
20161029_110351 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Onwards towards the Glack Kennels:
20161029_110500 DSCF7985 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

20161029_110700 DSCF7986 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

I spot a bird of prey and manage a few decent shots. From the size I knew it wasn't an Eagle and later investigation would reveal it to be a Buzzard from the shape and markings:
20161029_111400 DSCF7993 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

20161029_111401 DSCF7994 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Starting to gain some elevation, looking back to the south you can make out Newtyle Hill (L) and Birnam Hill (R) in the distance:
20161029_111620 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

In no time at all we reach Rotmell Loch/Mill Dam and with the perfectly calm conditions the water is like glass, stunning:
20161029_112344 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

20161029_112402 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

20161029_112405 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

20161029_112410 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

With the blaze of colours all around we take the high path to the right on the way to Deuchary:
20161029_113355 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

20161029_113700 DSCF8006 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Just under an hour gone and we take a break at the wee stone bridge, just before the path forks right for Deuchary summit and Loch Ordie, or left for the other way round:
20161029_113900 DSCF8007 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

We head right and go towards the sub-top of Deuchary:
20161029_114800 DSCF8011 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

A very easy and enjoyable walk so far, Dunkeld is a great place to be at this time of year with all the trees and array of colours:
20161029_114941 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Pass an old bit of machinery...
20161029_115100 DSCF8013 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

...and the path takes a slight chicane
20161029_120200 DSCF8017 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Just after the path turns sharply to the right, on the left is the path up to the summit:
20161029_120815 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

It's a straightforward hike up with a couple of wee steep bits:
20161029_121200 DSCF8024 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

20161029_121300 DSCF8026 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

20161029_121600 DSCF8028 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

A couple of walkers ahead:
20161029_121900 DSCF8031 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

The landscape looking south and east:
20161029_121943 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Birnam Hill to the south, tomorrow's walk destination:
20161029_122100 DSCF8033 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

the path then levels and the final mound is the summit of Deuchary Hill:
20161029_122346 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Looking back to the Loch...
20161029_123500 DSCF8038 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

The path quickly takes you to the summit where a trig point and actual summit rib of rock awaits:
20161029_124421 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Lochan na Beinne appears down the now visible north side of the summit:
20161029_124500 DSCF8039 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Summit feature, nice:
20161029_124501 DSCF8040 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

The view east, clouds cover the bigger hills:
20161029_124600 DSCF8042 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Looking south/west, trig and summit:
20161029_124700 DSCF8043 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

We have lunch and chat away to the Edinburgh walker and his Dad about some of the hills we've climbed and what a cracking walk Deuchary is, it was a pleasure bleathering away to them in perfect conditions at the top. The son took a few picks of me standing atop the rib of rock summit, silhouetted against the sun, as his Dad said I was like a young Mountain Goat!

After soaking in the view I take a few more photos from the top, Lochan na Beinne:
20161029_125405 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

20161029_125409 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Ben Vrackie in clouds back left and Loch Ordie down below but we'll save that for another time...
20161029_125414 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Looking east:
20161029_125417 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

In the distance I spot a grand looking steep Glen which would later turn out to be Glen Quaiche and we'd get to see it much closer up when we drove home a few days later and went towards it before turning south and stopping off in Crieff, which had lovely views of the Strathearn Hills and of course Ben Chonzie, looking forward to returning one day for a stay and many walks.

20161029_125800 DSCF8054 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Schiehallion wasn't to make an appearance unfortunately...
20161029_125801 DSCF8055 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Same with Vrackie:
20161029_125900 DSCF8058 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

20161029_125901 DSCF8059 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

A few panoramas to finish, north:
20161029_130445 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

South:
20161029_130524 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

We had lots of options for the walk back and decided on the path off the summit to the north, past Lochan na Beinne, then left and south back to Rotmell Loch. On descending the summit rib of rocks reminds me of Cir Mhor on Arran, but much smaller and closer:
20161029_131114 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

This way...
20161029_131320 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Looking back at the shapely summit of Deuchary Hill from the north:
20161029_131624 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

We pass the Lochan and Ben Vrackie decides to say hello, a great walk we enjoyed from Pitlochry earlier in the year:
20161029_132033 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Lochan na Beinne and Deuchary Hill:
20161029_132500 DSCF8065 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

20161029_132600 DSCF8069 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

The path continues on:
20161029_132946 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Ben Vrackie summit now free of cloud:
20161029_133101 DSCF8074 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Loch Ordie is visible again but we will take the path left to return to Mill Dam:
20161029_133540 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

I had a laugh on the summit with the walker we met as both of us had the same thought on the way up "who needs New England in the Autumn" which was funny although my reason for thinking about it and how colourful the forests were was probably entirely different to his, mine being a level in Road Rash on the Megadrive...
20161029_134338 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Where the path turns left at the golden trees:
20161029_134400 DSCF8080 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

It's easy going the whole way on this walk:
20161029_134908 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

On the path be sure to look out for the young female Ent...
20161029_135400 DSCF8083 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

I'll stop going on about the colours now and let the photos do the talking:
20161029_140009 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

20161029_140331 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

20161029_141211 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

20161029_141842 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

20161029_143917 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

We pass the stone bridge and head right back onto the upper path down to Mill Dam, and the Loch is still like a sheet of glass:
20161029_144746 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

I quickly get some more shots in before a group of 5 different dogs disturbed the calm...
20161029_144812 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

20161029_145000 DSCF8090 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

20161029_145001 DSCF8092 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

20161029_145100 DSCF8095 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

20161029_145101 DSCF8097 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

20161029_145102 DSCF8098 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

It goes without saying that we were both well chuffed at choosing this walk at this time of year on a day like this:
20161029_145200 DSCF8100 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

20161029_145609 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

20161029_145800 DSCF8114 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

The summit beyond the reflection, definitely one of the most scenic Marilyn's i've been up so far:
20161029_145900 DSCF8116 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

We attempt a swing on the tiny rope swing but you'll not be seeing the look of anguish on my face as I clung on, that pic won't be going online...
20161029_150300 DSCF8122 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Time to continue on after a most enjoyable pit-stop:
20161029_150400 DSCF8123 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

20161029_150500 DSCF8124 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

We end up chatting to a few more people who arrived and sat on the benches to soak in the surroundings and with the ducks now more active it's hard to pull ourselves away!
20161029_150700 DSCF8133 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

20161029_150701 DSCF8134 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

20161029_150800 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Yet again we were glad to be delayed as a sudden loud swooshing noise made us and the others around the loch look up to see three swans gliding in for a perfect landing on the water, amazing!
20161029_151800 DSCF8139 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Bonus aerial display over, we really do continue on... Birnam Hill in the distance, see you tomorrow...
20161029_152602 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

As we passed the large tree below and before we returned to the path in the forest next to the But'n'Ben we got chatting to the two girls with the 5 different dogs that enjoyed the loch so much as they caught up with us; a labrador, spaniel, rough terrier (Finlay), and wee sausage dog with a big dog attitude, wee Strudel!
20161029_153100 DSCF8144 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

We asked if they worked at the kennel but they laughed and said no, they just have 5 different dogs and everyone thinks that. When we reached the gate to our forest path the terrier Finlay shot off, possibly in pursuit of a rodent or maybe even chasing the young deer. We ran down the path shouting and whistling for him but he didn't show so we said to the girls that if he didn't turn up to try the But'n'Ben in case he found his way there and that if we found him we'd keep a hold of him for them.

I don't know if Finlay made it back to her but we assume he did as we never received a visit from them after and the local But'n'Ben resident dog Donald the Golden Retriever would have let us know if Finlay had went for his Mum's free range chickens in the back garden.

On returning from the walk we bumped into our hostess Heather and her friend and when we told them about Finlay's freedom dash the friend named all of the 5 dog breeds she had and said she knew of her!

So in summary, Deuchary Hill was a belter and is highly recommended, easy going with lots of great scenery and other hills all around to enjoy, beautiful forests and lochs, loads of wildlife, nice people and dogs, what's not to like?

More pics on Flickr.

[The Rodmiester]

It's a mighty long time since I was up there and this has been on my radar for months now, deffinately the time of year to visit with the colours the way they are. Appetite now wetted must go soon. Ta for posting some great photographs.

[Chris Mac]

It's a mighty long time since I was up there and this has been on my radar for months now, deffinately the time of year to visit with the colours the way they are. Appetite now wetted must go soon. Ta for posting some great photographs.

Cheers, aye it's a cracking hill, definitely the best Marilyn i've been up so far, mind you i've done Corse Hill and A'Chruach!

A really enjoyable walk, beautiful scenery and views and as you say, at this time of year it was extra special. Enjoy your long awaited return trip but hurry up, while it's still looking so good....