Hill of Oldmeldrum – This Tump was located north-west of Rhynie and there appeared to be no restrictions to driving west along the forest road an extension of the single track public road which ended at Mytice and reached from the A97 Rhynie to Huntly Road.
I left my car in a large area of rough ground at NJ463306 and walked west along the forest track to a junction where I crossed the bridge over the Kirkney Water then followed an old track west along its south side. Once beyond the trees I climbed the rough grassy hillside to a deer fence. A hole in the fence gave easy access to an area of well spaced trees although I opted to head up the edge of the fence to an area where the trees had recently been cleared. I then made the short walk through this area to locate the summit of Hill of Oldmeldrum. The return was by the approach route.
Quarry Hill – I then moved my vehicle to the side of the forest track just west of Mytice and walked up the side of a stone dyke and an area cleared of trees. This led to a vehicle track to the east of Cairn Hill which was briefly followed north before walking along another track heading north-east. At an obvious U bend I left this track and entered the forest working my way through the trees trying to avoid the fallen timber. I later emerged into long heather and headed for the summit of Quarry Hill although which area of heather was the highest point of this Tump I was unable to tell. The return was by the upward route.
Kemps Hill – This Tump was located north of Rhynie and west of the A97 road to Huntly. I parked in a large parking area on the unclassified Tillyminnate Road at NJ505333 and walked east along this single track road to a forest track. Here I commenced the ascent of Kemps Hill through the conifers following various rough tracks before coming to an area of fallen trees which prevented progress. I back tracked until I located a route to an area of young firs where the going was rough but I eventually reached a stock fence and walked round it to the summit of Kemps Hill. The ground was rather rough with some young firs and brash but I visited a few areas which may have been possible high points.
The return was along the side of the fence then the edge of the young fir trees where I crossed some brash. This led to broom and gorse bushes where I had to push my way through them to reach a fire break which took me directly back to my car.
Kye Hill – Located south-west of Huntly this Tump was accessed from the end of the single track road near the entrance to Baillieswood. I walked east along a forest track before leaving it and climbing through some young trees and brash. This led to a harvested area which was crossed to gain the summit of Kye Hill although the highest point wasn’t obvious.
I then headed south through heather between an area where the trees had been harvested and a stock fence. I then made my way along the edge of the fence later crossing it and a grassy field to a pile of stones although nearby grass may have been the highest point of Hill of Bogairdy. (twin to Kye Hill as shown as same height) I then returned to the fence and worked my way through young trees and brash to reach a forest track. This led to the point where I had left it earlier and followed it back to the start.
- Total time – 4.25 hours.
- Total distance – 13.25 kilometres.
- Total height climbed – 625 metres.