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

Mulloch

Cairn(s)

Fieldnotes

Finding this cairn showed real signs of stupidity and signs of a never give up nature. How I didn't injure myself doing this walk, a very naff description of events, is nothing short of a miracle.

Things started well, went east from Dinnet on the A93, turning north at St James. Follow this track until the tar runs out but keep going until the next turning, the last house, and pull in. From here follow the track north until the remains of farmers croft. Turn east and up thru the trees. From here a nightmare begins. Basically hack your way thru ferny things like trees, after 1 hour I was knackered climbing Mulloch Hill. I couldn't turn back and I was never going to be able to climb to the top so I headed towards trees in the south east. Another hour of hacking and tramping before I reached them. At least it was easier to walk beneath the branches. The cairn is easily enough found.

Basically a cairn of big boulders. Sitting at 15 meters wide and at it's tallest 0.7 meters. I thought there was a trace of a kerb thanks to some bigger stones near the edge of the cairn. One thing for sure was the silence, I don't think I heard a thing apart from me glugging from a water bottle! There was no point in going on, Id intended visiting 8 sites but could only manage one. There is no easy way here. Agonisingly the hilltop was close but it might as well have been miles away. The way back down was just as difficult. Eventually I made it back to the car battered and bruised. The pub in Tarland made for a safe haven. Next time I'll approach from the north at Ordie.

(for a bonus Paul Anderson, who wrote a piece of music for the stone circles was playing. The trumpet player and violinist compared notes.)

Visited 5/08/2010.
drewbhoy Posted by drewbhoy
9th August 2010ce
Edited 28th September 2010ce

Comments (2)

Reading this brought back terrible memories. The west side of Mulloch Hill is one of the worst places I've been. Like you, I sent ages trying to find a way up this hill. I didn't even see the cairn you went too. I did find an Okish way up in the end, if you are still thinking of going up hill. Follow the track east past the the last house where you parked and once you are directly south of the top, head north and you should see a faint path heading left up the hill. The cairn on top is a good one. Once on top the walking is good heading east. thelonious Posted by thelonious
28th September 2010ce
Thanks for that, I'll follow these directions. That was a very trying day, as the previous 3 days had been an absolute triumph for walking, climbing and cycling to sites, 25 in total. the fourth day was a nightmare. The cairn at Ordie is easily found, I'm told, and the ones heading east after the top similar but the west side of that hill was a nightmare! drewbhoy Posted by drewbhoy
28th September 2010ce
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