Bennachie is a large hill that can be seen for miles in Aberdeenshire. Its craggy peaks seem to loom out of nowhere as you drive round twisty corners of country roads. I once climbed it three times in one day for charity; complainers of sore legs were reminded of that fact yesterday. The top of Harthill Castle, which was owned and restored by the late American writer Ann Savage, is just visible over the trees.
The start of any Bennachie climb – we took the easiest ‘Rowan Tree’ route – starts with a misleading forest stroll:
Then you’re out into the baking sun (sometimes; you are equally as likely to emerge into a dense Stephen King-esque mist) and views expand.
Parts of the path are pure exposed rock, it feels like standing on the bare face of the planet. I like to kneel and kiss the stone; you do see some strange people on Bennachie…
The ascent gradually gets steeper, the sun gets hotter, but the Mither Tap nears. Big cairn, little cairn:
There’s a Pictish hillfort on the top, you pass between its walls…
and then cling, terrified, to the side of the uppermost rocks as the wind buffets you. That bit is over quickly. The landscape soon owns your attention.
The Maiden Stone stands near the foot of the hill, a ninth century Pictish stone displaying a good example of the mysterious, much debated, ‘Pictish beast’. Swimming elephant? Dolphin? Kelpie?
A few miles further on is Loanhead of Daviot Stone Circle, the first recumbent circle I ever visited, beautifully cared for by Historic Scotland.
Will I stop now? No, one more, then we can put our feet up.
Keep up to date with all my news by signing up to the mailing list.
What a beautiful day to be up there! I remember the triple climb day fondly 🙂
I remember that final descent with less fondness! And the pain the next day… 🙂
What a beautiful little corner of the world. Thank you for sharing your beautiful photographs.
Glad you liked them Norah, that is a very nice area with the hills 🙂
Hey Ailish,
Thanks for the follow on Twitter. This is such a beautiful post, it is so so beautiful, I am so lucky to have found this treasure trove of yours in this little space on web.
I would definitely go through all your posts, they seem so promising with so much beauty in words and pictures both..
take care
http://www.soulsearchingdays.blogspot.in//
take care
Rekha
India
@rekhanair – my twitter handle
Thank you for visiting and commenting Rekha, I’m glad you like what you see 🙂
What a wonderful place to visit!
It is, I highly recommend it 🙂
Unbelievably beautiful. I hope to see it, one day. Lovely photos.
I hope you get the chance!