Bennachie

22 September 2012

Participants - Neil and Ben
Where - Bennachie, 528m/1,735', Sub- 2k Marilyn, Map 38, NJ 662227

Bennachie is the dominant hill in Aberdeenshire, easily recognisable and visible from many parts of the county. I think of it in terms of a mountain rather than a hill but in fact, writing this up, it suddenly struck me that it was lower than Coiliochbhar Hill which I had climbed yesterday. It comprises a high moorland with a series of distinctive granite tops. There are a number of possible starting points and ways up the hill but I like the one that starts at the Forestry Commission car park at Back o' Bennachie- charge £2. A well constructed path led up through the forest and directly to the main top, Oxen Craig. It was another cool but very clear day and the views when I got past the forested area were extensive. This picture is taken from where the path leaves the shelter of the trees and is looking over Aberdeenshire towards the coast.....

I stopped a lot on the way up to admire the views and take photographs, this is looking north over Insch to Hill of Foudland.....

and this is looking north-west to Tap o' Noth with Ben Rinnes behind and to its left.....

There is lots of signage on this hill, no chance of getting lost here.....

We carried on to the top of Oxen Craig where there was a substantial cairn and also a topograph- they certainly cater for visitors hereabouts.....

After a bit of a rest and a chat to some other walkers, it was time to head for the most distinctive feature of Bennachie.....

Down on the moorland again, Ben decided to solve any possible dehydration problems before we carried on to this well known landmark.....

 

It is crowned by a mass of granite and there are the remains of a Pictish fort just below the top. I believe that there are some hard rock climbs to be had on it, not being a climber the cliffs look terrifying to me!  Fortunately, the walkers path circles the hill at a fairly gentle grade on its way to the top. Not surprisingly, being a weekend, there were a lot of other walkers about with the Mither Tap being the most crowded. I guess that there must be many people who only visit it and are under the impression that they have reached the highest point on Bennachie.

We then re-crossed part of the plateau to visit the most northern tor, Craigshannoch.....

This is the view from it to Oxen Craig.....

and this is looking across the farmlands of Aberdeenshire.....

It was then time to head down and start the journey home, via Alford, Braemar and Perth. It had been a good couple of days, and there are still some sub-2k's in the area that I have not yet done.