Hill: Bennachie (The hill of the nipple or pap)
Type: Sub2k
Height: 528m
Plan A had been to tick off the Fiona of Hunt Hill but the weather forecast had changed big style since yesterday. Although the air quality was to be excellent the winds were forecast as exceptionally strong. Indeed the MWIS forecast for the Eastern Munro summits was ‘Impossible to walk’, I have seen all sorts described but never seen impossible on a clear day, but take heed I must.
Plan B was to visit this renowned Pictish hill fort circuit. For some reason on Walkhighlands it is named as Bennachie after the range of hills, but there are two hills to visit, neither named Bennachie and only one of them is a Sub2k, despite just 10m of height difference, very odd and more later. This circuit has been on my to-do list for a few years so it was a good opportunity to get it done.
I parked up at the large parking area situated in a pine forest called Back O Bennachie. Well laid out with a toilet block but of course you have to pay. It was a reasonable charge at £2.50 for 3 hours or £3 all day. The all day was the one I needed. Usual problem the machine would not move on from coin only payment to accept a card but luckily I had £2.50 in change in the car. Not really enough but would I be back in time or get fined for 50p?
As I changed the light breeze was gently shaking the tree tops and the pine needles were dropping down slowly, just like snowflakes. By the time I headed off I was covered in orange needles.
As Bennachie is Aberdeen's high ground play area it is popular and well laid out with a myriad of trails. Everything is well signposted so no excuse for getting lost.
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| Hopefully that does not get blown down the track |
As I climbed through the initial tree section it was another reminder of how much damage Storm Arwen caused a few years back. Despite a lot of tree cutting much more remains to be done to fully open up all the trails around here.
Just before I exited the treeline the wind was much stronger and the trees were swaying and noisy. Out of the relative tree shelter warmer gear was required, a sign of what lay ahead.
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| The two peaks in the distance are Little Conval & Meikle Conval at Dufftown |
I followed a very well constructed dirt path with many stone sections. A short detour took me to the first viewpoint at the quarry, Little Oxen Craig, wind gusts were already very strong.
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| Oxen Craig |
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| Larger peak on right is Ben Rinnes |
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| Oxen Craig viewfinder looking to Mither Tap |
Then back on the track where I kept climbing to Oxen Craig, the true Sub2k. However, the final metres were difficult, the wind was very strong and gusty. When I reached the viewpoint pillar I had to hold onto it to take in the views. As the forecast said excellent long distance views, pity it wasn't a day to enjoy them.
Brief stop before dropping off Oxen and taking the good track to the second hill, Mither Tap, the site of the Pictish fort.
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| Mither Tap left or right? |
When I dropped down the wind had eased and for about 15mins the going was fine. As Mither Tap neared I could see a track on either side. I opted for the left side thinking it was on the sheltered side but not to be. The wind and gusts were far stronger than Oxen, making even normal walking tough going.
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| Best remains of a Pictish hillfort entrance that I have visited |
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| Apologies but the sign was in very poor condition |
As I neared the top and the path petered out. I looked up at the top from this angle, the top about 20 metres higher, but in-between a steep boulder field needed ascending. I was not risking it in these winds. This is a tourist hill so there must be an easier way I muttered to myself. I crabbed over some crappy stuff, trying to keep my balance and found the real ascent track on the other side which went up through the amazing remains of the Iron Age fort. There is a well constructed winding stone stepped staircase to the top which in good conditions would be no problem for most. But it is exposed and I was very careful as a strong gust meant a dangerous fall.
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| Sitting beside the trig to avoid getting blown away and try to get a snap without the shakes |
On the top of Mither Tap the winds were the strongest of the day. So much so that I crouched my way to the two structures, the trig and the viewpoint. Holding on for dear life I took in the vista. It is truly a superb viewpoint justifying a fortress being built here.
I was even more careful on the descent from the top, some bum sliding to avoid the gusts and with relief reached the big stone shelter.
A skein of 50+ geese appeared struggling to make ground flying into these winds, find a field to rest I yelled, they ignored me.
Although the paths are well constructed the strong winds were blowing fragments of grit into my eyes, no goggles of course.
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| Descending from Mither Tap that is Oxen Craig but I was contouring towards the trees |
I followed the route to Craigshannoch but passed on another top and contoured the heather to re-join the ascent track and back to the car.
Another objective achieved, just a pity that wind was so strong.
Ascent: 488m
Distance: 9.6km
Time: 2.46
Wildlife: Blue Tit; Pink Footed Geese
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