Thursday May 28th.
Maps: OS Landranger 45 (Stonehaven), or Explorer 396 (Stonehaven etc.).
Meet to car-share at Kingswells Park & Ride (lower section) at 9:15, or at Glensaugh Farm (AB30 1HB, grid ref. 670783) at 10:15. There is ample parking space at the Farm, where possibly a toilet will be made available to us; I will confirm to participants shortly beforehand.
From Kingswells, travel seems quickest, at 43 minutes, via the AWPR and the A90, Drumlithie (beyond Stonehaven, turn R off the A90), Auchenblae and Drumtochty Glen (turn west at top of hill in Auchenblae), but some may prefer the South Deeside Road, Strachan and over the B974 Cairn o’Mount road (turn sharp R at Clatterin’ Brig), at 48 mins from KW P&R.
The walking route uses the quiet public road for 200m, and then goes up the pleasant then impressive Slack-Birnie Den on grassy/bouldery surfaces to near its head, where we break out up right on heathery ground to ascend Goyle Hill (464m) with its trig point and an obvious lunch spot with tree shelter nearby if needed. From there, we descend via grass and/or forest tracks to the public road near the Glensaugh-Strathfinella col, the exact route depending on deer farming and forestry operations. Across the road, a path contours gently above Loch Saugh along the bottom of Strathfinella Hill back to the Farm.
The Clatterin’ Brig tearoom appears to be closed currently, but may re-open (but only until 3pm?) by the time of our visit: again, I will confirm shortly before 28 May. If not available, the nearest place is Castleton Farm Shop, just off the A90.
Contact Ken
Photo by Scott Cormie
Our next midweek meet is in 3 weeks: Morven from Tullich – 25th June