Rothienorman

Hill of Crannabog – This Tump was located to the south-east of the village of Rothienorman. I approached the hill from the east parking beside the houses at Ladenhar and walked south-west along the unclassified road to a stock gate. Once over this gate I crossed a couple of grassy fields to an awkward crossing of a gate, an electric fence that wasn’t working and a barbed wire fence, to reach the highest point of Hill of Crannabog which was within a grassy field. The return was by the upward route.

Hill of Little Folla and Hill of Blackford – These two Tumps are located to the south-west of Rothienorman. I left my car at the edge of a passing place on the unclassified road to the north of Hill of Little Folla and walked east along this road to a stock gate. Beyond it was a fairly steep climb across a grassy field to a second stock gate and to the summit of Hill of Little Folla. I did wander about a bit but the highest point appeared to be beside some gorse bushes.

I returned to the unclassified road by the ascent route, crossed this road and a fence to follow a horse trail west along the edge of a ditch and some trees. I later crossed this ditch and a fence to enter a field containing sheep. Higher up another fence was crossed to enter an area of gorse bushes and once beyond them I headed for the summit of Hill of Blackford through rough vegetation. The highest point appeared to be an area of grass south of the boundary stone. I then returned to the unclassified road and my car by the upward route.

Drumsinnie – I moved my car to north-west of Rothienorman and parked at the side of the B992 Auchterless to Colpy Road, crossed a stock gate and some grassy fields to reach an open gate. Beyond, the summit of Drumsinnie appeared to be at the north-west corner of this grassy field. The return was by the ascent route.

Gordonstown Hill – This hill was also located north of Rothienorman. I left my car on the unclassified road to the north-east of the Tump, at the entrance to the wind farm, and walked along the access roads to the furthest away turbine. Here I crossed a fence and part of ploughed field to what appeared to be the summit of Gordonstown Hill. I then continued along the edge of this ploughed field to reach the trig point before returning to the start by the upward route.

Hill of Blairfowl was located to the east of Fyvie. I parked at the side of the unclassified road to the east of this Tump and walked up a grassy rake at the side of some growing crops to the field corner which appeared to be its highest point. The return was by the approach route.

Hill of Lightnot – This hill was positioned north of Oldmeldrum . I parked to the east of this Tump at the entrance to a ploughed field and walked up the edge of this field and into a wooded area where the trees were well spaced. I visited a few possible high points but was unable to say which one was the actual summit. The return was by the upward route.

  • Total time – 2.75 hours.
  • Total distance – 11 kilometres.
  • Total height climbed – 330 metres.