Edinvillie to Dufftown Golf Club – Ben Rinnes

1^st October 2023                                 Bus departs Aberdeen at 08.00am                 O/S Map sheet 28

Our walk today sees us return to Speyside for the ascent of Ben Rinnes, a hill which lies at the heart of whisky distillery country.

The walk commences on a secondary road near the scattered hamlet of Miltown of Edinvillie (NGR261 399). We may however be able to get the bus to drop us off at the nearby Allt a’Bhainne Distillery. Otherwise take the road from Edinville ,.south westwards towards the distillery to then pass under a high voltage power line before beginning a gradual climb up the broad ridge known as Baby’s Hill. After about a mile, an outcrop of rocks are reached above the headwaters of tributaries of the Scurran burn. Here the ridge turns south eastwards and climbs to an unnamed top (around 738m) on the summit plateau. To the left will be seen the rocky Scurran of Well, one of three tors on the hill.

We continue south eastwards via Lady’s chair to the summit of Scurran of Lochterlandoch (840/841m) our highest point today. A good path then descends eastwards to pass Black Banks, Roy’s Hill and Round Hill before reaching a small car park in the Glack Harnes, a narrow pass between Ben Rinnes and Meikle Conval.

From this secondary road, three options are available;

• Take the road down to the right to join the B9009 and follow it northwards for approx. 2 miles to reach the car park at the Dufftown Golf Club where our bus will be parked (NGR 311 391). Walking Distance approx. 9miles (14kms)

• Head northwards on the Glack Harnes road passing the house of Braeside to pick up a forestry track at NGR277 374 which then heads east behind the house and contours around the western flanks of Meikle Conval to eventually meet the Glach-en-ronack track. Note this path may initially be indistinct and boggy. Follow the track eastwards alongside a line of power cables and descend to join theB9009 near Home Farm , a short distance from the Dufftown Golf Club where our bus will be parked. Walking Distance approx. 8miles (13 kms)

• From the small car park, climb up the opposite hillside near Cairn Crow disused quarry and follow the ridge to the summit of Meikle Conval (571m) before dropping down into the Glack-en-ronach and follow route 2) above to Dufftown Golf Club.  Walking Distance approx. 9miles (14 kms).

An alternative lower level walk can be taken from Allt a’ Bainne Distillery by heading south westwards passing under the power lines and after a short uphill distance take the lefthand track heading towards Bogside which then contours around Fauch Moss and the lower eastern slopes of Ben Rinnes to eventually reach the Glack Harnes secondary road slightly north of the small car park. From here options 1),2) or 3) above can be taken to reach the Dufftown Golf Club where our bus will be parked.  Walking Distance approx. 8/9 miles (13/14 kms).

Bus departs at 4.30pm for Aberdeen at 7.00pm

The above notes are for guidance only and are intended as an aid to be used along with a map and compass and/or a GPS devise with O/S maps.

In the event of an emergency arising, the person in charge today should be notified, if possible before the emergency services are contacted on 999.

Committee member in charge of today’s walk is Frank Kelly Mobile No 07821631362.