Cairn William - Tillyfourie

[Gordon Ballantyne]

Harvey's walk day, so with blizzards forecast for later in the week -teed up GordonC & we headed off to pick up the unsuspecting Harvey. Turned off at Tillyfourie and passed through a farm that had spread most of it's topsoil on the road - a richt sharnie dubs.
Found the wee parking area just below Cairn Wm and geared up.
Having been trumped by GordonC who had a flask o coffee last time out, I'd come prepared wi mine this time. It was tea in a metal freebee flask.

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The path up to the main bikers track was a bit boggy in places, but passable. We exited on to the main track by a big Larch tree and walked along towards the turnoff up the hill, meeting a young cyclist who warned us about taking the wrong path due to bikers descending. Another couple of cyclists wi a bonny dog - maybe a young Great Dane or Ridgeback stopped to play with Harvey for a minute or two before heading off round the corner. ( probably to ascent the correct path up to the bealach, as we saw somebody there when we joined the main path later. )
This bikers warning was ignored as we struck up the next path we came to. Luckily we didn't meet any descending cyclists as there wasn't much room to pass. When we broke cover in the bealach between Hill o Pitfichie and Cairn Wm, we realised our mistake - joining the main path that went up the other side of the burn, which then crosses over to zig zag up Cairn Wm. At the bottom of the zig-zags up Cairn Wm, a biker overtook us and disapeared over the hill. Seems a popular area - even midweek.
Up on the top we had great views across to Bennachie, over the Howe of Alford and across to Tap o Noth.

GordonC & H wi Bennachie in the background

GordonB & H at the trig pt.

The breeze had an edge on it so we didna hang around and set off down the path to the west side to find a place for our piece stop. Not far W of the top, we passed a staunin stane just by the path. No insctiptions on it, so not sure if it was natural or "man placed".

Standi' Stane by the path W of Cairn Wm summit

We joined the main contouring track, having not fancied any spot for a stop - nae loungers provided by the FC ! Met the young lad who had given us the directions earlier pushing his bike up the hill towards the top of Cairn William.
Soon we spotted the big Larch tree marking the turn-off down to the car and splashed our way down the path.
Back at the car, we opened our flasks - and while GordonC sipped warm coffee from his braw flask, my tea felt like it had just come oot o the fridge ! Nae wonder the flask was a freebee - now consigned to the bin.
Had to sluice down Harvey before letting him back in the house, but he seemed to really enjoy his day out and got a chewy treat for being a good dug !