It was back to the old county of Bannffshire to climb some more of the lesser known hills. The first was the Hump, Wether Hill, to the south-west of Cornhill. I parked on the verge at a T junction to the east, crossed a gate and a couple of snow covered fields containing sheep which involved climbing over fences the last one being a deer fence. This took me into a wood containing young trees where I visited a couple of high points beside an old stone dyke. A better return route once over the deer fence took me across some rough grazing slightly to the south of the ascent route.
The next hill was the Tump, Barry Hill, north-west of Wether Hill. I parked at the start of an upgraded track to the south then walked along this track passing a mobile home to reach a work site within a field. This grassy field, an adjoining one as well as some barbed wire fences were crossed before I entered the forest surrounding Barry Hill where there was lots of fallen timber. An open area containing gorse bushes was reached and here I visited three potential high points.
Corn Hill, a Tump, located south of the village with the same name was reached along a rough farm track where it appeared there was no restrictions to driving as far as north-east of Highlandman’s Croft (grid ref. NJ580570). Here I left my car at the side of the track then walked south-west passed the access road to Cairdswell before entering and crossing a grassy field and a couple of barbed wire fences. This led to the open hillside which was covered in gorse bushes. The summit trig point was located then I walked west to the cottage at Old Cornhill where I rejoined the farm track and returned to my car.
My next Tump was the Hill of Culbirnie to the south-east of Portsoy. I left my car at the start of the track to Cowford’s Farm and walked up passed the farm buildings then along the vehicle track leading to a wind turbine. It was then a stroll across a grassy field to the trig point.
A bit closer to Portsoy was Whyntie Hill a small rise within the grounds of an old airfield. I parked near Lintmill of Boyne, walked east across a couple of fields onto the concrete runways. Once at the north side of this Tump I entered and crossed a ploughed field to reach an old section of fencing, a gate and water trough which to me appeared to be at the highest point.
The final hill of the day was Cowhythe Hill, just east of Portsoy. I left my car beside farm buildings on the south side of the B9139 then walked north along the vehicle track that ran round Cowhythe House and towards the coast. When east of this Tump I left the track and crossed a field to what appeared to be the summit although it was unmarked.
- Total time – 2.75 hours.
- Total distance – 11.25 kilometres.
- Total height climbed – 315 metres.