Dunecht Estate and Barmekin Hill

Summary

This circular walk begins by following tarmac lanes and tracks through the Dunecht Estate, giving views of the great country house as well as over the Policy Loch. The walk then continues with a moorland climb up to the remains of the iron-age hillfort on the summit of Barmekin Hill, with good views over the Aberdeenshire countryside.

Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

3.5/5

Rating

Terrain

Tarmac lanes and minor roads through Dunecht Estate; rough moorland paths over Barmekin Hill, prone to being overgrown by gorse.

Public Transport

Bus to Dunecht village.

Start

Gates to Dunecht Estate, Dunecht village on the A944. Open in Google Maps.

Walk Statistics

Distance: 11.5km / 7.25 miles
Time: 3 - 4 hours
Ascent: 205m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NJ754090

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Accommodation

Walk Description

User reports (5)

Stage 1

The walk begins from Dunecht village on the A944; there is space for several cars to park near the gates to Dunecht Estate on the south side of the road. Begin by walking through the gates and along the tarmac lane into the estate. When two lodge houses are reached, turn right to pass between them.

Stage 2

At the next fork in the tarmac lane, take the left branch. passing an outbuilding adjoined to the vast walled gardens (now used as a nursery). Keep straight on at the next junction and the one that follows, ignoring lanes off to the right, and keep ahead again at a cross-roads. There are now views to the vast mansion of Dunecht House over to the right, seen over part of the private golf course.

Stage 3

Further on on the right there are views over the Policy Loch - a great place for autumn colours. At the next junction turn right onto a track that leads over a cattle grid. There are more views to the great house over to the right. Eventually the track forks - take the left branch to leave the estate, passing between the gateposts to meet a minor road.

Stage 4

Turn right along the road, which is followed for around 2km to a junction; there are views to the next objective - Barmekin Hill. When the main B977 road is reached turn right briefly along it, then take the next track on the left - signed for Osprey Systems. Keep ahead on the track uphill, passing Upper Mains and then Upper Mains Cottage.

Stage 5

Higher up a track junction is reached at some trees; turn right here, then turn right again through a gate after around 80m onto a grassy track climbing steeply through rough pasture, scattered trees and gorse. When the track curves to the right and levels off, turn left (a sign has been removed) then immediately right onto a route that regularly has to be cut through the gorse bushes. Beyond the gorse the path is rough but clearaer, climbing through trees and bracken towards the summit of Barmekin Hill; the going is very tiresome if the narrow, rough path is missed. The remains of the iron age hill fort are extensive, with three ditches and two rings of tumbledown stone walls.

Stage 6

Continue to the trig point at the centre of the fort, where a large stone provides a convenient rest spot for admiring the extensive views. The descent path is rough and narrow, leading down through the heather; head towards the distant quarry seen to the right of the Mither Tap of Bennachie. The very narrow path through the heather continues ahead - go straight on when it twice meets paths running across the slope. Eventually it passes through some gorse and then meets a fence; follow this to the right, and then around a corner to the left, to reach a gate.

Stage 7

Go through the gate and follow a grassy track beyond, ignoring a faint path off left. Eventually the route leads through another gate amidst the trees, and continues through the woods, eventually meeting another track at a t-junction. Turn right along this track, winding through the woods and then turning right onto a lane at Barmekin Cottage. Continue down the lane past Old Wester Echt to reach the B977 road.

Stage 8

Go straight ahead between the lodge houses to re-enter the Dunecht Estate along a tarred lane. Take care around 'the most dangerous corner in Aberdeenshire', then go left when the lane forks. When a crossroads is reached turn left, continuing through the trees to reach a staggered junction. Go left and then right here, eventually passing a row of cottages and rejoining the outward route at a t-junction beyond. Turn left alongside the wall and then retrace your steps back to the start.

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