(197) Banchory-Scolty Hill Forest Road Circuit (Aberdeenshire)

Route Summary
This is a deservedly popular short walk through a mature woodland area, but with a moderately demanding 200 m overall ascent on the sometimes steep climb to the moorland and striking tower at the top of Scolty Hill where there are splendid wide-open views.

Duration: 1:75 hours.

Continue reading “(197) Banchory-Scolty Hill Forest Road Circuit (Aberdeenshire)”

(156) Smirisary Village and White Beaches (Highland)

Route Summary
This is a short coastal walk in an extraordinarily beautiful but remote area, with great views out to the islands of Eigg and Muck. The part-abandoned village of Smirisary, in a stunning pastoral setting, is your gateway to a little clutch of evocative white sand beaches.

Duration: 2.5 hours.

Continue reading “(156) Smirisary Village and White Beaches (Highland)”

(118) Lumphanan Rural Ramble (Aberdeenshire)

Route Summary
This is a short, easy walk with a modest overall ascent of 99 m. There are pleasing rural views throughout, and a good view over mid-Deeside towards distant mountains in the west from the viewpoint and bench at the mid-point on the route, overlooking the village of Lumphanan.

Duration: 1.5 hours. Continue reading “(118) Lumphanan Rural Ramble (Aberdeenshire)”

(114) Cambus O’May-5 Bridges Pinewood Trail (Aberdeenshire)

Route Summary
This is a short and easy walk through pinewoods, suitable for all abilities, with minimal overall ascent. The winding trail crosses the tumbling Queel Burn 5 times and passes by 2 pretty lochans, where you will see dragonflies, damselflies and rare butterflies in Summer.

Duration: 1.75 hours. Continue reading “(114) Cambus O’May-5 Bridges Pinewood Trail (Aberdeenshire)”

(073) Crawton Bay-RSPB Fowlsheugh Circuit (Aberdeenshire)

Route Summary
This short cliff-top walk is nonetheless a special experience, especially in the late spring and summer seabird breeding season when 130,000 guillemots, razorbills, kittiwakes, fulmars and puffins return from a winter spent at sea to congregate on 60 m high cliffs.

Duration: 1.5 hours. Continue reading “(073) Crawton Bay-RSPB Fowlsheugh Circuit (Aberdeenshire)”

(064) Delgatie Castle and Woods Circular (Aberdeenshire)

Route Summary
A short and easy walk in mixed woodland, passing an attractive trout loch, before diverting to the landscaped grounds of Delgatie Castle, an impressive building in the Scottish Tower House tradition.

Duration: 1.5 hours. Continue reading “(064) Delgatie Castle and Woods Circular (Aberdeenshire)”

(062) Aden Country Park Circuit (Aberdeenshire)

Route Summary
This is a short walk around the attractive landscaped grounds of Aden Country Park. The route passes the striking remains of an old mansion house before diverting to the ruins of a medieval church in Old Deer. We also recommend a trip to nearby Aikey Brae Stone Circle.

Duration: 1.5 hours. Continue reading “(062) Aden Country Park Circuit (Aberdeenshire)”

(054) Crieff-The Hosh Circuit (Perthshire)

Route Summary
This walk overlooks Crieff, with a moderately taxing overall ascent of 161 m over a short distance, offering some wonderful views of the surrounding hills. The environment is mixed, with woodlands, fields, and tumbling burns. The route passes the famous Glenturret Distillery.

Duration: 1.75 hours. Continue reading “(054) Crieff-The Hosh Circuit (Perthshire)”

(052) Old Portlethen Ramble (Aberdeenshire)

Route Summary
An easy coastal ramble, mostly through arable farmland. The old fishing station and haul-out inlet for boats at Old Portlethen is a scenic highlight. It is important that walkers keep to the path on the stretch along the cliff-tops, where the slopes are steep and slippy.

Duration: 1.75 hours. Continue reading “(052) Old Portlethen Ramble (Aberdeenshire)”

(050) Balmedie Country Park-Blairton Burn Circuit (Aberdeenshire)

Route Summary
A short but enjoyable coastal walk through a special sand dunes system and on a wide sandy beach. There are good views of the recently constructed Menie golf course and the Aberdeen wind farm turbines, just offshore. The beach section can be extended in either direction.

Duration: 1.5 hours. Continue reading “(050) Balmedie Country Park-Blairton Burn Circuit (Aberdeenshire)”