Hill of Dunnideer and Scolty, two fine Aberdeenshire hills

10-13 October 2019

 

Participants: Neil and Ben

Where: Hill of Dunnideer, 268m/879', P 59, Tump, OS 37, NJ 612 282 and Scolty, 299m/981', P 45m, Tump, OS 38, NO 678 939

 

It was MBA AGM time again, this year in Ballater on Deeside. The weather was excellent so it was a good opportunity to add on a few days and do some new hills. These were two of the most interesting on a 9 hill trip.

 

Hill of Dunnideer is a very prominent hill on the outskirts of Insch because of the ruin of a very old castle at its summit. The castle was preceded by a hill fort and it certainly dominates the surrounding landscape. Our ancestors certainly knew how to protect themselves from surprise attack. Today, there is a small parking area at the foot of the hill reached from the village and a good path up. Approaching the top, Ben just sneaking into the picture.....

 

 

Another couple of photos of the castle, which is thought to be one of the earliest in Scotland dating back to around 1260. The hill in the distance in the second photo is the Marilyn Tap o'Noth, another hill fort.....

 

 

 

And another view west.....

 

 

Down to Insch and across the Aberdeenshire farmland.....

 

 

The southern view was dominated by Bennachie......

 

 

I'll describe the other walks that I did that day on another post and instead concentrate here on the other great viewpoint of the trip, Scolty at Banchory, a hill that had been on my "to do" list for some time. It is surrounded by forestry, there is a large car park at its foot and a selection of paths to the top. Again, it is a prominent feature locally, this time because of the tower on the summit. Unlike many such buildings on hills, this one, built as a monument to General William Burnett who fought with Wellington in the Napoleonic wars, has been maintained and you can climb to the top. Approaching the tower.....

 

 

Banchory from the tower.....

 

 

 

Another well known Aberdeenshire hill, Clachnaben, is well seen to the south along with its neighbour, the Corbett, Mount Battock.....

 

 

 

 

Immediately to the south is the Marilyn, Kerloch......

 

 

And finally, the view to the north.....

 

 

Two excellent hills but you need a good day to appreciate them properly.