North Aberdeenshire

North of Turriff was Wood of Wrae. I left my vehicle at the start of the forest track to the west of this Tump and north of Wrae Cottage then walked along the forest track to near the summit. Here I entered the fir trees and wandered about there as I was unable to determine the highest point.

The next Tump on my planned trip was to the north-east of Turriff. I left my car on the minor road to the east of Hill of Brackans at the start of the private road leading to the reservoir. I walked along this private road, then round the north side of the reservoir and over a couple of fences to access a stubble field. The summit appeared to be beside the fence on the north side of the field. The high points on the other side of the fence were manmade.

North of New Byth was Hill of Fisherie. I parked at the side of the minor road to the west, walked through some well spaced young firs then up the side of mature trees. On reaching a deer fence I crossed it then a very rough area of young firs with numerous hollows containing water which made for slow progress. Later I realised the summit was out with this area so headed south-east, re-crossed the deer fence and followed a vehicle track to the trig point. Thereafter I returned along the edge of the deer fence before heading back to the start via the approach route.

I then drove to south of Pennan to climb the Hump, Windyheads Hill. I left my vehicle beside the locked gate on the minor road to the west then walked east along the track towards the communications tower later leaving it and heading north to an MOD building where the track came to an end. It was then a short walk through heather to the trig point beside some gorse bushes.

South-east of Gardenstown was Hill of Troup. I left my car at the side of the minor road to the west, crossed a gate and a grassy field to reach the summit of this Tump although I was unable to determine the actual high point.

The next Tump was Hill of Draidland to the south-west of Gardenstown. I left my car in a stubble field to the west and walked up the edge of a couple of stubble fields to the communications tower. Walked round this construction, the highest point appeared to be on its north side.

The final hill for the day was Hill of Foulzie located south of Macduff. I approached this Tump from the minor road to the south and walked north up a vehicle track, through a couple of fields, one ploughed, and over an old fence to reach the trig point. Visited ground to the north but it appeared man made.

  • Total time – 2.25 hours.
  • Total distance – 7.75 kilometres.
  • Total height climbed – 125 metres.