Bennachie Circular

Date/Time

Date(s) - 06/12/2015
9:00 am - 4:30 pm

Walk Details

Pub Stop?: Yes
O/S Map Sheet No.: 38
Grid Ref. Start: 698 216
Grid Ref. Finish 698 216
Walk (Miles): 8
Walk Hours: 4
Bus Time to Walk:1.5 hours
Bus Time from Walk: 1.5 hours
Departure time from walk: 14:30

Walk Notes

N.B. 9.00am departure from Aberdeen.

Our walk today takes us into the Bennachie range of tracks and paths. Gilbert McCurdy suggested this walk and your Committee included it in our 2015 Programme. Three walks are suggested below, but this area throws up so many lovely walks that you might think differently. These walks are circular routes, so members can have a shorter, or different walk – please indicate your intentions with your committee member in charge of the bus.

1. Mither Tap (518m). From the bus (NGR 698 216), head W’wards along the north side of the Clachie Burn to the “Heather Brig”. Take the track N’wards up the south side of Mither Tap to eventually reach an information board regarding the Pictish Fort on the summit of this hill. Climb, sometimes quite steeply, to the summit Trig and indicator, and if the visibility is good, you will be rewarded with a tremendous panoramic view of Aberdeenshire. Return from the summit to the information board and head downhill N’wards towards Hosie’s Well and the Maiden Causeway. Join the old Aberdeen Turnpike track and head firstly SE’wards then S’wards, near the rear entrance to Pittodrie House, back to the bus. Walking distance – approx. 7 miles.

2. Oxen Craig (528m). Follow route 1 to the “Heather Brig”, and take the “Gordon Way” track uphill to the plateau. At a signpost for Oxen Craig, head N’wards and climb to the summit. Retrace your steps and head firstly towards the old quarry on Little Oxen Craig (410m) and onwards to the summit of Craigshannoch (450m). Continue SE’wards and gain the summit of Mither Tap. Return to the track below this summit and head E’wards steeply downhill to reach the trees. At a T junction, a little further on this route, head right on this path which soon joins your incoming track from the Visitor Centre.

Walking distance – approx. 8miles.

3. Millstone Hill (408m). Follow route 1 to the “Heather Brig”. Our track then heads SE’wards, but soon veers SW’wards to climb to the summit of Millstone Hill. In good visibility you will get wonderful views of Bennachie to the north and the River Don valley to the south. From the summit retrace your incoming route back to the bus. Walking distance approx. 7miles.

Bus departs at 2.30pm.

In the event of an emergency arising, the person in charge of the outing should be contacted, if possible, before the police are contacted.

Relevant telephone number for Grampian police is 0845 600 5700 OR 999.

Your committee member in charge is David Garwood

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