Hill of Rowan

[Alastair S]

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With the serious but leaky boots back with Tiso’s for investigation a high level walk was out of the question. So a modest low level family walk was the order of the day. Before I moved to Scotland this type of walk was pretty much the only type of walking I did. My more strenuous exercise came from cycling. But for the last couple of years the family has got off lightly. They may not know it yet but that is about to change

So after daughter’s swimming session it was off to Glen Esk over the recently re-opened Cairn O’Mount road in wonderful weather. Have passed the Maule Monument on several occasions and seeing IanG’s excellent report & the “official” one decided that the family should be able to tackle this one without a problem.

We were on our way by 11am. The monument is visible from Tarfside but soon disappears when you past the rather grand church just after the bridge. So up the gentle track, fooling about on the ample ice in the wheel tracks. Initially missed the fainter track to the left as another pair of walkers caught us at this point & I was distracted by taking photos. The steep part is pretty short & then there is the impressive monument suddenly right on you. It is big. And its conical. Stopped for usual: photos & refreshments.

Approaching Hill of Rowan



Natural Backdrop



Maule Monument (South Aspect)



Maule Monument (East Aspect)



Mount Keen from the summit



Craig Maskeldie - this view is looking West from the Hill of Rowan towards Lock Lee (which can't be seen). The prominent hill is Craig Maskeldie and looks a bit like a smaller version of The Devil's Point in the Cairngorms.



Leaving Hill of Rowan, view to the East



Happy family

Then followed the track NW down the hill and then round to the south. Lots of grouse butts along this section and had a fun sliding about on a big frozen milky puddle. Then down a small glade of silver birch onto the road. Instead of taking road back to Tarfside we took the first right and headed south over the River North Esk. You have to go right though a farmyard (Dalbrack) which was deserted but for a couple of dead sheep.

Glens Esk & Mark



Departing The Hill of Rowan



Glen Esk & Craig Maskeldie again



Family Butt



Frozen Puddle (Big)


The path gave good views of the Hill of Rowan. It was then over a rather rickety wooden footbridge back to Tarfside. The footbridge has estate signs with dire warnings about crossing at your own risk so we took it one at a time without any problems (but you need to make sure you don’t put your foot in the holes!).


Barbed Lichen



Dalbrack Bridge



Hill of Rowan again



Then it was back to the Clatterin’ Brig for a late lunch/early tea

Flickr slideshow over here

[iainwatson]

thats some size of monument,glad yous had a good day

[IainG]

Cracking report! Is a great wee walk. Living nearby, it is a nice evening stroll and the views are great as your photos show.

Last time there, I took an almost direct south descent from the monument, hoping to find the site of the fabled illicit still it was famous for, but instead found myself in a deceptively steep, rocky, and overgrown jungle of ferns!

[malky_c]

Nice report. I've noticed this on the drive past before, but never been up to it.

[dooterbang]

Think i spotted a young future munroist

Looked a fab day out with the family.

Loved the monument.

[Merry-walker]

That's the pointy thing I saw when doing the Fungle!

Brilliant

[slatefell]

Barbed lichen

Great photos of a walk on my to do list with the family this year.

[dogplodder]

Like the one of the mutt and the monument! Did they get a bit carried away when building that cairn? Looks like an ideal family day out.

[Benjaminnevis]

Looks a fine wee stroll must give it go ma self. What make were the offending boots Alastair.

[ChrisW]

Lovely shots of a nice family wander Alastair, "waited until after the daughters swimming session" ........was this so she was starting from a weakened position and wouldn't leave you standing

[RicKamila]

Thats the hill where we saved a sheeps life. Nice photos mate.

[Ian Johnston]

Oh, this is great Alastair!

Great report, and some super and well-observed images - I particularly like the second one here. This I must do - have you considered doing this one as a part of a backpacking trip from our side of the hill?

Kind Regards

Ian

[Alastair S]

Thanks for the nice comments for this old report peeps

have you considered doing this one as a part of a backpacking trip from our side of the hill?
Ian

Not got into backpacking as such so I just do days walks. But would like to explore Glens Mark & Dye a bit more. Its also a good area for mountain biking as the local estate is heavily into their grouse shooting & keep their tracks in good nick. They have also build quite a few new tracks that aren't on the maps yet, including a very recent one from near the top of the Cairn O'Mount road.

"waited until after the daughters swimming session" ........was this so she was starting from a weakened position and wouldn't leave you standing

Well spotted

[Gable Gable End]

cracking walk; love the dalbrack path, gives a great view over to the hill!