The Modern Antiquarian. Stone Circles, Ancient Sites, Neolithic Monuments, Ancient Monuments, Prehistoric Sites, Megalithic MysteriesThe Modern Antiquarian

Mulloch Cairn

Cairn(s)

Fieldnotes

Having managed - somehow, or other - to survive the night without a tree falling on my head, the arrival of dawn brings conflicting emotions... relief at still being in one piece after the storm, and regret at the leaving of Aberdeenshire for the much more brutal landscape of the Cairngorms. Jeez. Let's hope the weather improves a bit, then.

However the excellence of the Blue Cairn last evening persuades me that, perhaps, a encore upon Mulloch Hill would be a good idea prior to penetrating the fastness of The Highlands once again. I choose a different approach to The Drewbhoy... but then variety is supposedly the spice of life, is it not? At Dinnet, a small settlement astride the A93 west of Aboyne, the A97 heads north towards The Grampian Mountains. Take this and, a little before Ordie, follow a minor road to your right (east)... if you pass Monadavan Farm you're on the right track/road (delete as appropriate)... so carry on until, upon passing a right fork to Mullochdhu Farm, it should be possible to park upon the verge. Walk up the road, which terminates at Burnside Farm, and take the obvious track to the right, passing two drystone buildings, also on your right. One assumes the fallen tree blocking the track - no doubt a victim of last night's winds - will no longer be an issue.... judging by the sounds of a chainsaw heard later in the morning, that is. Then, just beyond the 'backdoor' to Mullochdhu - once again on the right - veer steeply to your left (this time) and ascend Mulloch Hill.

That's the theory, then. Trouble is there's a caveat... in that the traveller needs to locate a path literally hacked through the gigantic, mutant heather (at least that's what I think it is?) to stand any chance - at all - of reaching the summit from this direction. Seriously, the vegetation is otherwise impenetrable to these eyes.... not to mention shins. So, a seemingly simple, easy visit to a small hill turns into nothing of the sort. Consequently it's a relief to eventually see the cairn emerge upon the horizon... of another such monument, which (apparently) lies upon the western flank of the hill, there is no sign. Not surprised, to be honest. It's therefore a pleasure to report that Drewbhoy's estimation of the summit cairn is quite correct... it's a sizeable stone pile crowning an excellent viewpoint, the outlook particularly fine looking westwards towards the twin lochs Davan and Kinord (the latter with crannog) and the cairn crowned, high peak of Morven. Nice. Despite a shower front sweeping in, I reckon I ken why this hilltop was chosen as a suitable spot to send someone to eternity.

I've a bit less time than that, however... so... upon checking the map, head approx east towards the far side of the woods spied through the gloom. If my direction finding isn't that off kilter the reward should be another long cairn. Yeah, as Mr Cope (himself) once sang whilst careering around in that jeep... 'I long to accept my reward'. Da!da!dah! Da!da!dah!
GLADMAN Posted by GLADMAN
28th June 2011ce
Edited 29th June 2011ce

Comments (2)

Nae bad min, gled yiv used the ken wird! drewbhoy Posted by drewbhoy
29th June 2011ce
Must've been the Irn Bru. GLADMAN Posted by GLADMAN
29th June 2011ce
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