This walk explores the forestry just off the A96 and west of the airport. Despite its location near to these transport hubs, the walk itself follows quiet tracks with a climb up to the open top of Tyrebagger Hill, crowned with a folly known locally as the Tappie Tower.
Bog Factor
Waymarked paths and tracks; short sections can be muddy
Kirkhill Forest car park, off A96.
None to start.
NJ853116
Kirkhill Forest is on the immediate north side ot the A96, a short distance west of Aberdeen airport; the car park is a short way along a track and is signed for mountain bike trails. This walk follows the white waymarked route (with one short extension) and begins by heading through the gate at the far end of the car park, heading along a track. Ignore minor paths off to the right. Eventually a junction is reached; follow the main track which curves right.
Again keep ahead on the main track, and follow it when it turns right once more. There follows a long straight section; keep on the main left fork at the end of this. The track swings sharply left, and then right - ignoring the path ahead. Pass through a gate and then turn left at the t-junction.
At yet another junction you'll see a sign for the route back to the car park ('P') used later - but first, keep ahead uphill for the Tappie Tower. Look out for a marker which indicates a path (at last, after all the tracks) on the right. This climbs up to reach the open summit of Tyrebagger Hill. On the summit is a cyclindrical stone viewing tower with a spiral stairway. It was built as a folly in the nineteenth century by a Dr William Henderson to mark the highest point of his landholdings. Known as "The Tappie" it commands excellent views over the area.
Officially the white waymarked trail turns back at this point to return to the track, but this junction can also easily be reached by continuing on the rougher path ahead and then turning left to follow the track back round the hill, ignoring turnings off right, to reach the same point. Continue retracing your steps, but after 150m take a path on the right (with the car park sign). This path heads through the trees but soon gives an open view to the southwest. Keep straight on at a path junction, and keep ahead on the main path when another heads off right. Eventually the path leads up to a track; turn right here to rejoin the outward route back to the car park.
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