Pitfichie Forest to Monymusk – Festive Meal

The walk today starts near Tillyfourie at the Cycle Tracks car park (NGR656 132). Take the path uphill in a westerly direction and then heading northwards towards the Westhill stone circle. Here in a clearing on the left are the remains of a substantial recumbent stone circle but only two of the stones are still standing. Continue northwards on the lower slopes of Green Hill and cross a burn at a dip. The track then continues onwards with views of Hill of Fare to the south. We next cross the Pitmunie burn and reach a junction of tracks at NGR 655 155. Turn left and climb upwards in a north westly direction through the forest and eventually follow an old stone dyke. Head uphill on open ground to reach the trig point (448m) on Cairn William (NGR 656 168). From the summit head north eastwards downhill on a zig -zag path to meet a track at NGR 662 171 in the dip between Cairn William and Pitfichie Hill. Turn left and head north towards Rorandle. The route then curves around the lower slopes of Pitfichie Hill until a disused quarry is reached. Turn left and take this access road to reach the secondary road at approx. NGR 663 184.Turn right along this road for a short distance until the access road to Milldowrie is reached. Head left down this road until just past the edge of the trees to pick up a path which heads east into Paradise Woods. Follow the riverbank to join the secondary road at Ord Mill (NGR 678 178) and continue southwards passing Pitfichie Castle to reach the crossroads and a signpost indicating Monymusk a mile away. Continue to Monymusk village where the bus will be parked (NGR 684 152).

Walk Distance = 10 miles (16Kms)

For a shorter alternative, follow the above route until reaching the track junction at NGR 655 155 after crossing the Pitmundie Burn and continue on this track heading easterly towards Royhall. The track then heads down to near Pitfichie Castle and onto the secondary road where we turn right to reach the crossroads at NGR 677 164 and the signpost indicating Monymusk a mile away. Continue to the village where the bus will be parked.

Walk Distance = 6 miles (10Kms)

Bus departs at 3.30pm and will then travel to Blackburn for a Festive meal arranged at the Leys Hotel for 5.00pm. See Menu below.

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

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

Committee Member in charge of todays walk is Frank Kelly Mobile No. 07821631362

Festive Meal at Leys Hotel, Blackburn.      2 course £20   3 course £25

Soup of the day  (v) (gf)    Served with crusty roll and butter (vegan option available)

Prawn Marie Rose (gf available)    Atlantic prawns, romaine lettuce, marie rose dressing with bread and butter

Black Pudding, Apple and Haggis stack  Served with a whisky sauce

Sunday roast (GF Available)  Roast gammon and beef or a little bit of both served with skirlie, gravy, roast potatoes, seasonal vegetables and Yorkshire pudding

Roasted Vegetable Risotto (V)(GF)   Served with sweet potato crisps

Pan Seared salmon fillet    With Crushed Baby potatoes, Lemon sauce and seasonal Vegetables

Stick toffee Pudding    With toffee sauce and Icecream

Mixed berry Pavlova (GF)    With Chantilly cream

Banoffee Cheesecake    With fresh double cream