Not much to see on the Hill of Fare

Hill: Hill of Fare

Type: Sub2k

Height: 471m

So much for a heat wave, when we started it was light rain with low cloud and it was to get worse as the day went on. So, today it was a small hill outing for the good lady, of course carefully selected with the mandatory good path to the top.

Sat Nav took me an unexpected way and we parked across the road from the normal starting point just north of Torphins.

Ominously at the start a warning sign, no access to the general public as still clearing up from Storm Arwen. No way have we driven here with no back up walk and not going ahead.

The walk heads up the forestry track direct from the quarry, climbing up through commercial forestry plantations.

The good lady complained as the track descended briefly before climbing once more. Evidence all the way of the many trees felled in the storm and how at one point this track would have been impassable, but not today.

We reached the end of the forestry road at the turning area and then followed the obvious track straight ahead.

At this point the rain moved from light to heavy and we soon entered the cloud with the ensuing low visibility. Mrs B not too impressed.

The good path was pleasant enough through the old wood of Scots Pines and then onto the heather moorland. 

Deer Grass

In the gloom the yellow flowers of the gorse bushes were impressively bright as were the bunches of deer grass. There were a couple of muddy places, ok today but the track shows how different it could be after prolonged wet conditions. The gradient eased as the path met with an old track although it looks rarely used.

Though the gloom I spotted what appeared to be a standing stone, the top I knew was off the main track. we easily reached it although I went off into the heather too soon as there is a worn track we used on the backtrack. The top is actually a large stone with some small stones on top so a cairn indeed.

They say there are excellent views but certainly not today. So no hanging about back the same way. The rain got heavier and it got colder. I hate changing in the rain but that's what we had to do.

Oakmoss fungi

Not quite the day we had hoped for but at least the good lady got another Sub2k.

Ascent: 232m

Distance: 7.2

Time: 2.03

Wildlife: Blue Tit; Chaffinch; Meadow Pipit