I was in Angus to climb more of the lesser known hills the first one being Brechin Earth Station to the south of the town. I parked beside Middle Drums to the east of this Tump and walked up the vehicle track to an enclosure containing a mast. I left this track, walked along the edge of a field, and entered a wooded area where underfoot conditions made it hard work due to dead bracken concealing hollows. I visited a few high points before returning to the start.
I then headed to Kirriemuir where I left my vehicle in the car park to the north of the town and walked the short distance to and round the shelter on the summit of the Tump, Hill of Kirriemuir.
My next Tump was located to the south-west of Kirriemuir. I parked on the minor road to the north of the hill and beside a padlocked gate. I then crossed the gate, entered the woodland and made the short climb to the summit of Klaims of Airlie visiting both mounds. The westerly one appeared highest.
Afterwards I drove to north-east of Alyth, parking on the verge east of Shanzie before walking briefly east along the road then north on a grassy path running between two fields then later some trees. Higher up I by-passed a new looking house to the south by crossing a field then walked along a track to a large building where the track came to an end. I crossed another field then a stock fence before entering the open hillside where animal trails were followed through the dead bracken to reach the mound marking the summit of the Tump, Drumderrach.
Further west was Barry Hill. I left my car at the side of the B954 to the south-west of this Tump, crossed a couple of gates to gain the open hillside which consisted of grassy vegetation and some gorse. On reaching the summit walked round the inner wall of this old fort before returning to the start by the ascent route.
Several kilometres further north was Knock of Formal. Parked at the side of the B954 to the south-west of this Tump, passed through a gate then made a steady ascent through grass and bracken to the summit area. The bracken was replaced by heather prior to reaching the summit cairn.
Heading slightly further east to east of Loch of Lintrathen was the Tump, Craigieloch. I parked on the verge at the entrance to Lintrathen Lodge and walked along the tarred road towards this house. Prior to reaching it I headed along a vehicle track to a gate in the deer fence and once through it crossed some brash and entered the well spaced trees. I visited several points as I couldn’t tell which was the highest.
A couple of kilometres to the north-east was Gallow Knowe. I parked at the side of the road to the south-west of Cothelhill and walked north-east along this road then up steps and a path to the Scottish Water enclosure. Beyond I crossed a barbed wire fence and climbed the obvious mound where an old concrete structure marked the summit of this Tump.
Still further east and south-west of Kirkton of Kingoldrum was the Tump, West Schurroch. I parked on the verge of the minor road to the north and walked along a track through the trees. Once the track came to an end crossed some rough vegetation to reach the obvious high point. I also visited the trig point in the nearby field after crossing the fence containing an electric wire.
The final Tump was Culhawk Hill. I parked at the Z bend on the B951 east of Kirkton of Kingoldrum then crossed a gate and headed north over a field to a fence containing an electric wire. I therefore walked east and was later able to go under this electric wire and awkwardly over a double barbed wire fence. Then it was through long grass to reach the summit cairn. On the return I was able to avoid the electric and barbed wires as I took a slightly longer route round them.
- Total time – 3.75 hours.
- Total distance – 12.25 kilometres.
- Total height climbed – 555 metres.