Some Aberdeenshire Tumps

9-13 October

 

Participants: Neil and Ben

Where: Ord Hill, 224m/735', P 45, Tump, OS 37, NO 439 984; Knockargety, 267m/876', P33m, Tump, OS 37, NJ 454 031; Craigievar Hill, 349m/1145', P46m, Tump, OS 37, NJ 562 095; Drum Hill, 133m/436', P 55m, Tump, OS 38, NJ 792 002; Ley Hill, 112m/367', P 34m, Tump, OS 38, NO 730 968; and Mammie, 498m/1634', P 76m, Tump, OS 37, NJ 316 019

 

Here is a short report about the other Aberdeenshire Tumps done during my few days on Deeside while attending the MBA AGM.

 

Ord Hill is a small wooded knoll alongside the A93 just outside Dinnet. It is in fact the highest point of the Muir of Dinnet. The deciduous woodland was pleasant but there wasn't much in the way of views, although I did catch a glimpse of  Loch  Kinord.....

  

Knockargety was reached from a side road off the Dinnet to Tarland road. There was a large turning circle/parking area at the start and a track and then a path to the open summit. It was a fine viewpoint being close to Morven to the west and with an open aspect to Mount Keen and Lochnagar to the south.....

 

 

Craigievar Hill is part of the Craigievar Castle estate now owned by the NTS. There is a marked trail of about 2 miles from the castle over the hill including the highest point. With the autumn colours starting to appear, this was a very pleasant walk.....

 

 

Drum Hill is part of the NTS estate at Drum castle. The hill was less wooded than at Craigievar with nice summit views over the Dee valley, again reached easily on a marked trail from the car park.....

 

 

 

 

Ley Hill was the least interesting being entirely wooded. It completed the NTS estate hills being part of the Crathes Castle grounds.....

 

On the morning of the MBA meeting, I diverted to Gairnshiel to climb Mammie, a typical Deeside heathery hill. Fortunately, there was a track all the way as there was a phone mast on top. The shooters were out on neighbouring hills.....