This waymarked circular walk from the Tarland visits the atmospheric Tomnaverie Stone circle before returning through Drummy Woods.
Waymarked field and woodland paths and tracks.
Limited service from Banchory / Torphins, week days only.
Tarland, square.
Park in the square in the centre of Tarland. This attractive village in the Howe of Cromar has a couple of pubs, shops and a prominent statue as its war memorial. Begin the walk by heading to the east end of the square where an information board gives details on both this and other waymarked walks from the village. Turn right to head along Bridge Street; once over the bridge a footpath signpost and stone sculpture indicate the start of a path that runs parallel to the road on the left side at first.
As the path approaches a house it turns left to pass around the perimeter of the garden, and then right across a footbridge. When it emerges on a road cross carefully and take the path on the far side, which turns left to again run parallel to the tarmac. After crossing a stile the path heads right and then bears left, heading across a track towards a pedestrian gate. Follow the excellent path to a junction and turn sharp right uphill to reach the stone circle.
Dating back to around 2500BC, this is a fine example of what is known as a recumbent stone circle - a type unique to this part of Scotland in having the largest stone laid flat. It was almost destroyed in the 1920s by the adjacent quarry before being protected by the state; stones removed at that time were put back into their original positions in 1999-2000. The circle offers great views, taking in mighty Morven to the west as well as glimpses of distant Lochnagar. From the stone circle, continue the walk along a path to the left of a fence.
Continue beside the fence, passing to the left of a wire enclosure around a small waterworks. Go through a wooden pedestrian gate, then bear slightly left across the rough open area, ignoring the tracks, to aim for and pass through another pedestrian gate. On the far side of the gate turn left and follow a path down parallel to the edge of the field. Continue along the edge as it turns right at the bottom corner. Cross a stone stile, an open area and then another stone stile until a marker post indicates where to head left through the scattered trees. Pass through the remains of a wall (modern eco-style house on the left here) and keep right along a now good path once more, passing through another wall. Follow the path, eventually crossing a stile to reach a track; turn right along the track.
When the track bends right go left through a pedestrian gate, along the field edge to pass through a second gate accessing an enclosed path. Continue along this until the path eventually bears right into a wood and then emerges on a minor road. Cross this and go through a gate on the far side to enter the Scots pine plantation of Drummy Wood. Soon the path meets another at a corner; bear right here (waymarked), then turn left when a track is reached.
When this track bends left out of the wood after 100m turn right. At a clearing the path bends left and wind between the gorse bushes. Further on the route runs along the edge of the wood with Tarland visible over to the right. Eventually the path emerges at a parking area opposite a large house. Turn right to reach the tarmac road, and then right onto this before heading left into Tarland. Finally turn right at the garage to return to the square.
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