On the way up to Dufftown to play a gig I had a brain turn and decided to climb Both Hill. Fortunately the boots happened to be in the car. From Huntly travel west along the A920 Dufftown road. Belnaboth farm is slightly to the north, just before the Haugh Of Glass road, and here I asked permission to park.
From the A920 Both Hill looks a fairly gentle. In reality it is a very steep climb first thru grass then deep heather. The hill is covered in holes, stones and bogs, also a couple of small streams for jumping practice.
The cairn is on the summit of the hill with all round views up and down the Deveron valley, north to Knock and west to the Cairngorms. This is an area I have often walked as the area is covered in various cairns. This cairn is over 17 meters in width and almost 2 meters. Some damage has been done to the eastern side and it has been hollowed out to make a sheltering spot for a weary shepherd/Drew.
From here its head west to next cairn. For this time of year its freezing!!
Scotlands Places say this cairn is badly ruined. I'd say it was totally knackered or is it?
They might be wrong as it could possibly be the remains of a hut circle or more likely a kerb cairn with at least 5 stones maybe still in their original places. What can't be debated are the views and the atmosphere of the place. It is surrounded in ancient sites.
Head to the west side of Both Hill, following the old dyke for a 1/2 mile. On the way back down I saw the unusual sight of chickens up a tree. As I approached they all jumped down. Anyway back to car and on to the gig!
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Posted by drewbhoy
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