Welcome to this year's Hogmanay Hoolie; bookings are now open.

This is a car walk; there will be no minibus / coach, and hence no charge.  If anyone would like a lift, please send me a text (0755 175 3204 - Keith).

Even though there is no charge for this walk, please sign up in the normal way.

We will meet in the centre of Aboyne car park, just off the A93 (~NO 530 987 ~123m), ready to start the walk at a leisurely 09:00.  

We head out of Aboyne to the Loch of Aboyne, skirt around the W of the loch, pick up forest tracks and climb steeply up to the top of Mortlich Hill (381m, and a Tump).  There is a very rocky summit, and an interesting inscribed slab of stone.  We then head NNW, and then largely W, passing the entrance to Loch Coull House, and onto the crossroads near Springbank.  We turn L and L again and pick up the Tarland Way, and follow the way mainly S, then into the grounds of Aboyne Castle and the Coo Cathedral, and back to the cars.

About 16.3 km, 10.1 mile, 462 m ascent, about 5 hr (including stops).  OS LR map #37.  The route was recced on 30 Nov, and is a great walk that packs a lot into its 10 or so miles.

(Thanks to Liz J and the Dodgers for the route.)

There are plenty of other walk options from Aboyne to suit conditions.

See you on the hill - Keith (0755 175 3204)

Remains of Iron Cross on the Summit of Mortlich Hill

© Copyright Stuart Huyton and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.