Date/Time
Date(s) - 29/10/20178:00 am - 7:00 pm
Walk Details
Pub Stop?: Yes O/S Map Sheet No.: 29 & 37 Grid Ref. Start: 473339 Grid Ref. Finish 497271 Walk (Miles): 12 Walk Hours: 6 Bus Time to Walk:2.5 hrs Bus Time from Walk: 2 hrs Departure time from walk: 4:30 p.m.Walk Notes
N.B. 8.00am start from Aberdeen.
The walk today takes us through a large part of Clashindarroch Forest, south of Huntly and can include the ascent of the Tap o’ Noth, before finishing at Rhynie.
Frank Kelly suggested this walk and your Committee included it in the 2017 Walks Programme. This walk is a through-one, so members who require a shorter, or different walk – please indicate your intentions with your committee member in charge of the bus.
Since there are many tracks and track junctions in this forest, members are advised to go in groups and to ensure that someone in your group is capable of good navigational skills.
The walk commences at Drumfergue farm (NGR 473 339), where a forest track is taken W’wards on the S side of Drumfergue Hill and Auchindinnie Hill to soon reach a track junction at NGR 451 330. Turn left here and head S a short distance before following a second track on your right which swings W’wards to reach a junction between Raven Hill and Cross Hill at NGR 441 322, ignoring a path on your left side at (NGR 443 325) heading south. Take the left branch and head E’wards to reach another path junction at NGR 453 321. Take the right hand track and head SE’wards round the side of Cransmill Hill. The path soon veers E’wards along the north side of Cairn Hill and continues past Clashindarroch Farm and Strone Hill to eventually reach an estate road (NGR 493 320) at the edge of the forest. Turn sharp right here and follow this estate road W’wards for about 600m before leaving it on your left. Cross the Kirkney Water, turn right and climb uphill to reach another track junction at NGR 490 316. Turn right and contour round the west side of Cat Craigs to join a track heading W’wards at NGR 490 303 past Cairn of Mildaun and the north side of Tap o’ Noth, before veering S to gain a path at the edge of the forest at NGR 476 291. This path climbs to the summit of Tap o’ Noth (563m) with its famous vitrified fort. From the summit, retrace your steps to re-join the track at the edge of the forest and continue downhill to join the A941 road (Cabrach to Rhynie). Walk (SE’wards) along this road for approx. 1 mile into Rhynie where our bus will be parked (NGR 497 271).
Walking distance approx. 12 miles
Bus departs at 4.30pm.
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.
Committee member in charge today is Hamish Clunas
Bookings
Online bookings are closed for this event. Please contact Gilbert to find out if there are spaces available.