Drumgesk Hill: This Tump was located east of Aboyne so I parked just off the A93 Banchory to Aboyne Road beside the access road to Drumgesk Farm. I then walked south along this road then west on the path that ran below the north side of Drumgesk Hill. I later crossed a barbed wire fence to join a vehicle track that led to its summit. The obvious high point was on the other side of an electric fence which I had to roll under. The return was by the upward route.
Little Hill: I was planning on climbing this Tump and the Tump, Mortlich, both located north-east of Aboyne, from the unclassified road to the east. I parked on the grass verge north of the access road to Tillybreen Farm and walked to Nether Tillylair where I was advised that stalking was taking place on Mortlich so I returned towards my car.
I then walked along the vehicle track towards Tillybreen Farm and at an open gate entered and crossed a field where the ground had obviously been sprayed with weed killer. Beyond I walked round an old gate and across rough vegetation consisting of bracken, broom and heather to gain the summit cairn. It didn’t appear to be Little Hill‘s highest point so I visited a one slightly further west before returning by the upward route.
Court Hill: This Tump was located to the north-west of Aboyne. I left my car on the west side of the B9094 Aboyne to Tarland Road south of Balnagowan and walked west along the vehicle track running below the north side of Court Hill. I later left this track and crossed some rough vegetation which had obviously been used by cattle and led to an old stone dyke and fence. Once over them I was into woodland with well spaced trees, some had been blown over, and bracken. On reaching the summit of Court Hill the highest point wasn’t obvious so I visited a few potentials before descending north, avoiding the fence and dyke, to rejoin the track before following it back to the start.
- Total time – 3.25 hours.
- Total distance – 11.5 kilometres.
- Total height climbed – 290 metres.