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Sub 2k Marilyns: Hill of Tillymorgan, Hill of Foudland
Date: 25/03/2018.
Distance: 2.5 + 3.5 km.
Ascent: 170 + 230 m.
Time: 35 minutes; 1 hour.
Weather: Mild, showery.
Although a bit unsettled, it was probably a good weekend to be in the proper hills - clocks going forward and a bit of warmth and sunshine. Probably some heavy showers and strong winds to dodge high up, mind.
I was back in Inverness for the weekend, but had no intention of doing any walking for a change. Saturday was a much needed day of rest, and Sunday was set aside for a half-marathon I was running in Inverurie with some friends from work. But even there I could see the chance for a couple of quick hills on the way home again - the perfect thing to stop my legs seizing up on the drive back to Inverness.
Bennachie from near the Chapel of Garioch - perhaps I could've shaved a couple more minutes of my run time if I hadn't messed about taking photos! Bennachie would be the obvious draw in this area, as it is the best of the lower hills in rural Aberdeenshire by quite a long way. But I wanted something shorter and easier, and plumped for the duo of Marilyns either side of the A96 at the Glens of Foudland. Hill of Tillymorgan was up first - there is an obvious track to the summit but I opted for a more direct route starting near South Mains on the Cadgers Road.
Bennachie from Hill of Tillymorgan
On the southern slopes of Hill of Tillymorgan I climbed a gate and headed upwards through a field, skirting gorse bushes higher up. climbing a fence at the edge of the farmland, I picked up the edge of the conifer plantation and followed it to the summit. There were a couple of damp patches, but I was able to stay dry-shod in trainers. Then it was just a case of weaving through the slate spoil heaps to the trig point.
Windfarm
Looking west from the summit Pleasant agricultural views, with a good panorama of Bennachie. I went back down the same way, my legs imploring me not to go too fast.
Slate spoil tips on the summit ________________________________________
Then it was back in the car for a short distance to park up on the minor road signposted 'Clinkstone'. The farm I parked next to was ominously called 'Bog'.
I took a straight line up through fields towards the masts on Hill of Foudland - a little damp, but fine until I crossed out of the farmland and onto the heather.
On the north slopes of Hill of Foudland There were no clear routes up the heathery hillside here, so it was a bit of a bushwhack to get on the crest of the ridge (and service track) - my feet definitely didn't stay dry here! Once on the track, it was easy going to the masts, then a little boggier (but still easy) onwards to the trig point. This summit has a better view of Bennachie than the Hill of Tillymorgan, not to mention vistas of the distant Cairngorms. Probably better (although a little longer) to walk up the service track from Jericho though.
Looking east
Bennachie and a passing shower
Eastern Cairngorm plateau from Hill of Foudland
Bennachie from Hill of Foudland
West to Ben Rinnes
Buck of Cabrach and Tap o' Noth
Bennachie and Insch
A96 to Huntly I decided to cut back to the lower part of my line of ascent, missing out the masts. Heathery going again, but some interesting ground features. A bit of slate has been quarried from these hills, as could be seen by the spoil heaps sitting around. But it was hard to tell if the fault I was looking along was a natural landslip, quarried seam or a bit of both. Whatever, it was nice to get back on grazed land again!
Hard to tell if this is more slate quarrying or a natural fault
Slate spoil tips It was an easy return to the car from there. I had earmarked the more interesting looking Tap o' Noth as a potential 3rd walk, but it was later than I had intended, and I had done enough to keep my legs active to avoid any soreness later on. Nothing too exciting, but having looked with mild interest at these hills (Foudland in particular) many times when driving by, it was nice to have finally been up them.