Monday 11 May - Strathfinella Hill (NO 693 787, 414m)

Start Point: Car park on W side of entrance to Drumtochty Castle (NO 697 798)

Distance and Ascent: 3.75km, 260m

Weather: Sunny intervals but cool at around 9 degrees. 

 

I had intended to do this hill on Tuesday morning, after spending the night in the car park, but having arrived there at just gone 3pm, I figured there was plenty of time to nip up there before tea time - a decision helped by the belief that I was far less likely to encounter any mountain bikers in the middle of the afternoon on a Monday than I was in a morning or evening.

 

Having considered various ascent routes (including cycling a long way around on my bike), I'd decided to go for the direct route. Strictly speaking, they are not designated mountain bike trails (with signs prohibiting pedestrians, the likes of which I see elsewhere), but it's quite clear on the ground that's what they are, and meeting a bike coming hurtling down the hill could be disastrous for both cyclist and pedestrian. On the steep bits I stayed off the side of the trail as much as possible, and was well positioned to both see and hear anything that was coming. 

 

I was a bit more concerned about the way down, as I would have my back to the direction of travel, so I went at a rate of knotts (with a little bit of confidence that the clearing of fallen trees looked like it had happened in the last couple of days, so most people wouldn't know the trail was clear for use), and didn't see a single person for the entire outing, on foot or bike. 

 

 

 Summit selfie - no view from the high point

There were some open areas further down the hill

Fresh looking cuts through fallen trees

 

The tree in the foreground is one of the oldest Sitka Spruces in Scotland. the sign in front of it gave some stats about it. I sent Mick out to have a look at it later, as he appreciates an impressive tree, and this one was impressive indeed, particularly compared to the little skinny specimens all around it.  

I'm including my recorded track below, but this is not a route to be recommended for the reasons stated above.