Where: Hill of Pitcow, 179m/587', P 31m. Tump, OS 38, NJ 839 245
Hill of Ythsie, 119m/390', P 53m, Tump, OS 30, NJ 884 314
Core Hill, 245m/804', P 127m, Hump, OS 29, NJ 760 330
Hill of Loanhead, 162m/531', P 43m, Tump, OS 38, NJ 746 288
Today's hills started with a drive up- to a NATS aircraft navigation beacon on Hill of Pitcow, north of Aberdeen- the hill high point was in the field immediately to the north.....
Then it was on to Tarves and Hill of Ythsie, one of the most striking of the small hills in the county by reason of The Prop, a striking square tower on its summit built in 1861 as a memorial to the 4th Earl of Aberdeen. There is an information plaque above the entrance which says:
To George Hamilton Gordon, Fourth Earl of Aberdeen, by his attached and grateful tenantry, He was born at Edinburgh 28 Jan 1784 and died at London 14 December 1860.
Gordon was Prime Minister during the Crimean War.
The monument looks like a rook on a chessboard and is open to the public, 93 steps took me to the viewing area at the top which as expected was a wonderful viewpoint.....
As expected, there was a view over Tarves to the Mither Tap.....
and over a large chunk of Aberdeenshire in the direction of the North Sea.....
The cloud was starting to roll in again as I headed west for the next objective, Core Hill, a Hump but a very easy one as there was a road up to radio masts at the top. Rather than drive all the way, I parked at the end of the public road and walked the rest. Not an inspiring hill as the views were by now reduced by incoming rain.....
I then headed back in the direction of Aberdeen to the village of Daviot for the Hill of Loanhead. Another easy one as there was a car park only metres from the top. This wooded hill has been taken over by the Scouts with buildings everywhere. The saving grace is the well preserved stone circle and crematorium on its northern flank which is worth a visit on its own....
A mixed day with the Prop of Ythsie being a highlight of the entire trip.
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