Rambling through the trees before getting some good views.....Ben Aigan

Hill: Ben Aigan

Type: Sub2k

Height: 471m

A lovely drive through the beautiful back roads of Morayshire brought me to the Forestry commission’s Ben Aigan reserve. A great area for dog walkers, mountain bikers and walkers wanting to summit Ben Aigan or just walk amongst trees. There is also another mast for mast baggers but thankfully that was not on my hit list for this ramble.

As I drove towards the hill the skies had cleared almost everywhere, but guess what, Ben Aigan had a huge dark thick mass over its upper slopes, a few ‘I cannot believe this mutterings’.

The early stages are not the most exciting. A long walk on tree lined hard packed route was sore on the feet but good on the eye. These boots are not made for hard trails.

Softer light and more birdsong

The track seemed to turn back on itself but the route was still climbing and I had not missed any turnoffs. Positive was that I had the opportunity to stop and listen to the birds.

To get to the upper level I knew I had two options. I could follow this track up and around the mast to meet the higher route. Or take a firebreak mentioned in a couple of reports.

But where was it? The recent storms had caused tree carnage and whenever I thought it might start, peering into the forest the decision was a no-no, safety first. I had accepted that I was just going to do the long track when I spotted it, further on than expected and no markers but the trail looked used.

As expected I soon came across the first fallen trees but they were not walk breaking obstacles. The track was extremely boggy in places, at times no option but to place my boot in the gloop. However, overall it was better than expected and I quickly reached the upper track.

Out of the firebreak but Again still under cloud

Very quickly after joining it forked with an old track on the left whick looked the one to take. Although it is a decent gradient my lack of hill walking was certainly telling, I was huffing and puffing more than normal. More time stop and listen, bullfinches and Jays.

Top straight ahead but contour required

And then there was light, I was out of the trees and onto the moor. Once again it seemed a long way to get to the top. The track builders decided to contour the hill before striking upwards. Still the views were good.

Harsh light as I arrived at the trig

The last pull was tougher than I expected mainly due to my lack of walking fitness but it did not take long before I soon spotted the trig.

Looking north towards Meikle Balloch

However good a viewpoint the trig is it is not the real top. But before I despaired too much it was nearby.

Looking back to the trig from the real top

It was obvious that the slightly risen mound a short distance away was the real top, so over I went.

Looking south over Strathspey there was still cloud lingering and the bright light made it impressive but not photogenic.

Lots of trees then the Moray Firth

Instead the views down to the nearby town of Rothes and looking north up to the Moray Firth and Inverness hit the mark. 

As always the high point of this landscape, Ben Rinnes could be identified with its pointed summit. A reminder that the distillery makes a fine malt which I have not had for a few years, need to rectify that.

The town of Rothes with the Glen Grant distillery pumping out steam

Heading down I bumped into a Canadian who was delighted to visit this part of Scotland. Descending the firebreak I bumped into a young girl, her white trainers were going to be a bit less white when she hits the gloop further up.

About a mile from the end my injury was throbbing a bit so I was glad to get to the car and call it a day.

Ascent: 287m

Distance: 8.8k

Time: 2.09

Wildlife: Robin; Great Tit; Chaffinch; Bullfinch; Goldcrest; Dunnock; Wren; Treecreeper;