(203) Pitmedden House-Udny Green-Mort House Circular (Aberdeenshire)

Route Summary
This is an easy, mostly woodland, walk from the grounds of Pitmedden House to the pretty hamlet of Udny Green. There is historical interest along the way, and a visit to Pitmedden Garden and Museum of Farming Life is not to be missed.

Duration: 2 hrs.

Route Overview
Duration: 2 hours.
Transport/Parking: There is an infrequent Stagecoach bus service from Ellon to Pitmedden. Check timetables. Pitmedden House NTS car-park (charges apply for non-members).
Length: 7.1 km / 4.41 mi. Height Gain/Loss: 73 meter.
Max Height: 86 meter. Min Height: 59 meter.
Surface: Moderate. A mix of rough woodland paths, estate roads and tarred public roads. The circuit is not suitable for off-road mobility scooters due to steps at various points and narrow gaps between trees with high exposed roots.
Difficulty: Easy.
Child Friendly: Yes, if children are used to walks of this distance.
Dog Friendly: Yes, but keep dogs on lead on public roads and near to farm animals.
Refreshments: Excellent cafe in Pitmedden House. A fine dining experience at Eat on the Green in Udny Green.

Description
This is an appealing walk in the gently rolling Formartine countryside. The route is mostly though mature broadleaf woodland but there are also open sections, and some fine views. The mid-point is the attractive little village of Udny Green, where we visit the Mort House in the old kirkyard. Built in 1832, the B-listed building housed corpses until they started to decompose, so their graves would not be desecrated by body-snatchers who sold the cadavers for medical dissection. Soon after, there is a view, through the trees, of Udny Castle. Still occupied as a private residence, it is built in the familiar style of a Scottish tower house, and its foundations probably date from the late 14th or early 15th C. The castle is popularly associated with Jamie Fleeman (d. 1778), known as “the Laird of Udny’s Feel”. He had a reputation for his witticisms, and there are many local tales about him. He was probably the last family jester in Scotland. The walk starts and finishes in the NTS car-park for Pitmedden Gardens where there is a tea-room in a wing of Pitmedden House. This attractive building has its known origins in the 17th C, with later changes and additions. It is not open to the public. A visit to the Garden is highly recommended as it is one of the most visually appealing and distinctive gardens in Scotland. It was re-modeled in the 1950’s as a bold recreation of the spectacular “Great Garden” created in 1675 by Sir Alexander Seton. This representation of a Scottish Renaissance walled garden is complemented by a “newly planted naturalistic and sustainably designed 21st C twist on a traditional garden, designed by celebrity gardener Chris Beardshaw.” The associated Museum of Farming Life is a fascinating window on the area’s agricultural past. For more information, see: https://bit.ly/44jAxqk

Links:
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