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Firstly, We want to say a big thank you to Paul and Helen for adding this walk. We've asked for more walks in the North-East and they have duly delivered
We headed out to the Coreen Hills, just on the outskirts of Alford. We sailed past the turn off, but eventually realise our mistake and headed down the correct road, signed Terpersie. There is parking at the end of the road on the left hand side, you can fit about 6 cars in.
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- The start of the walk
We set off at 12:15pm and headed up the farm track and followed the path as it turns to the right between a shed and a house. Eventually we reached a gate with a welcome sign.
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- This gate lifts up, but its quicker and easier to climb over it
Following the track to another gate, we carried on along the path in glorious sunshine. The hills splendid in green and purple heather all over the place. Eventually we reached a fork in the track, and carried along the left hand path.
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- The path on the right is the return path of the circuit
After a short while, we reached a stream. Kamila choosing to walk over the wooden plank to the right, Rick choosing to jump it.
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- Plank or jump? Hmmm
The walk then starts to get a bit tougher as the path starts to head directly uphill. There was no breeze and by the time we got halfway up in the 24C heat, we were absolutely sweating. We carried on past some trees and eventually reached the summit of Lord Arthur's Hill. There is a cairn on the left of the summit and the trig point to the right. We stopped at the cairn for a rest, which has amazing views and if walked in winter, would provide a great shelter spot.
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- Looking south-east
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- Looking east
Looking around the summit we had amazing visibility and could clearly see the high rises of Aberdeen, Bennachie, Clachnaben, Morven, and the top of Lochnagar. We wandered over to the trig point and had clear views of Ben Avon, Glenbuchat Hills, The Buck of Cabrach, Ben Rinnes and the Tap o' Noth.
Heading back to the path, we followed it west and when we reached a fork, took the right hand path.
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- The right way is the right way
Following the path, which was boggy in places, we headed up Edinbanchory Hill and enjoyed a drinks break overlooking the Cairngorms.
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- Ben Avon and the Glenbuchat Ridge
From here we turned right again and followed the ridge for a good 2-3 miles. There was no breeze, but plenty of flys, bees, wasps and flying ants, much to the joy of Kamila. This part of the walk is long and slighty boggy in parts, but the views to the north more than make up for it as you cross two more hills.
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- The Buck of Cabrach
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- Tap o' Noth
Eventually you reach two trees and a lochan at the end of the path and there is a track across the heather that takes you to the next path. We could see the entire ridge just walked from here.
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- Lord Arthur's Hill and the ridge to Edinbanchory Hill
The path that takes you back to the start is brilliant. It is soft, green grass and the going is nice and easy after the walking just done across the ridge. Eventually we reached a quarry and in the middle of it is a hut. We walked over to it as the walk description says it could be a possible shelter. We undid a wire locking system and went inside but all we found was some abandoned glasses (really old fashioned ones), a small container and some used condoms. Nice hey!! Wouldn't recommend using this as an overnight shelter. A window is smashed and it is in inhabited by many large spiders.
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- It might look nice....
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- .... but inside it isn't
Locking the door again with some wire, we headed back along the lush green track and eventually reached the Esset Burn. As the walk description says, when in spate it would probably cause some problems, but today it was easily crossed using some stepping stones and one small step in the water. Luckily our shoes were waterproof today!!
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- The final crossing
We rejoined the original track and crossed through the two gates, gave the farmer and his wife a friendly wave and a hello and arrived back in Terpersie at exactly 4:15pm, 4 hours after we started. A truly enjoyable walk and once again a big thank you to Paul and Helen for adding this one to the Aberdeenshire section
