free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).
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