Hunt the trig- Strathfinella Hill

6 April 2015

Participants: Neil

Where: Strathfinella Hill, 414m/1,358', Sub-2k Marilyn, Map 45, NO 693787

 

A problem with some of the sub-2k's is that the Forestry Commission have seen them as ideal territory for planting legions of conifers, in some cases, totally obliterating any view and making finding the summit extremely difficult. Strathfinella Hill is one of these; this is a photo of it taken from outside Fettercairn.......

 

 

But today Google Earth proved its worth. The obvious route from the south seemed to be totally in the forest but Google Earth showed me an alternative route from the Glen of Drumtochty where half the walk was on open hillside. It also showed a convenient ride into the forest that led to a main track that went round the hill with a branch (oops- no pun intended) path that went to within yards of the trig.

 

And, amazingly, it worked out on the ground. There was a good parking area just past Loch Saugh at the start of the forest. I was soon out on the open hill where the going was quite good underfoot. The temperature was rising which gave me an excuse to stop and look back at the view- to Hill of Wirren and (zoomed) to Clachnaben.....

 

 

Then it was into the forest to join the main track which was actually quite pleasant.....

 

 

Following Google Earth instructions exactly, after about 10 minutes I came to a 4-way junction and turned left. I knew from other folk's blogs that there was a rough path off into the forest after about 20m- here it is marked by a single small stone; if you didn't know that it was there then you could have a lot of fruitless searching.....

 

 

And after a few yards- the trig! No view here.....

 

 

So it was back the same way after which I went for a look at Edzell castle, the ancient seat of the Lindsays. Pity it was too early in the year for the formal garden to be in bloom. But it was a nice spot to sit in the sun for a wee while.....