drewbhoy

Head south from Rhynie on the A97 until the B9002. Take this road, which goes past two very old churches and Castle Craig (my brother wrote a book about this) and keep going until Longlands. This croft has been modernised, however about 500 meters further on is Whitehillock croft which, unfortunately, is completely ruined. Fortunately the site’s standing stone still proudly stands almost acting as marker to indicate the start of Aberdeenshire. (I was tempted to say Drewland, Mr SC!)

I parked on the track to Whitehillock and climbed down to valley bottom. The Burn Of Craig is at the bottom, taking advantage of my long legs I jumped. There are narrower bits for shorter people. Then walk thru a boggy bit and then up to the stone.

It is a beautifully shaped gray granite and is 1.22 meters tall. Almost shaped like a wizard’s hat.

Visited 24/3/2011.

Ord Hill is in a stunning location stuck between two hillforts, surrounded by stone circles, cup marked rocks (many found by Tiompan) and more cairns.

Leave Rhynie, on the A97 south from Huntly, and take the Wheedlemont minor road at the south end of the square. Follow this road to the Templand farm signpost. Fairly easily found as Upper Ord Stone Circle is in the second field up from the road. The cairn is at the southern shoulder of Ord Hill looking down onto the circle.

In 1866 a cist was removed by a tenant farmer and further mutilation has continued by sheep and rabbits. The rabbit damage allows us to see how the cairn was constructed. At ten meters in diameter the cairn is best preserved in the south east (so Canmore says). I love this area, this being my fourth visit this year, and there is more to discover so I guess I’ll be back fairly soon.

However the pub being shut, in Rhynie, at lunch time is a nuisance so the shop in the square has to do. Good butteries tho!

Visited 24/3/2011.

White Hill is one of these places that reeks with history. This area has had a turbulent past, the Battle of Tillyangus being one of many battles in the area. This must be one of the few places that can take in the three high points of the North East, Knock to the north, Tap O Noth to the west and Bennachie to the east. Inbetween 8 hillforts can be spotted which makes me wonder if this was really an outlook post for Tap O Noth. Cairnmore is less than a mile away.

From Clatt head west towards towards Rhynie and turn at the Smallburn track following the track to the footpath. I parked at the second farm. To the south is White Hill and the enclosure sits at the top. The circular shape of the enclosure can still be made out as the remnants of the wall remain. Legend has it that this might have been a Druid’s circle that was filled in. No stones of any size remain but if it was location must have been the prime objective.

A good way to recharge the batteries after a bad weekend on the sporting front!

Visited 21/3/2011.

This cairn or what remains of it can be seen directly behind the Leslie Flying Club. Situated on the lower slopes of Hawk Hill. Further up is the RSC famous for it’s massive recumbent stone. Since it was getting darker and very cold I headed back to the car and will return on a better day.

Leave Premnay, B992, head west towards Leslie/Clatt, the trees are directly behind the air strip to the south. Much easier to go to Edingarioch farm, which saves jumping the Gadie Burn.

Visited 14/3/2011.

This cairn is almost forgotten thanks to the 4 more famous cairns on nearby Tullos Hill, now 5 cairns thanks to Ian Suddaby’s discoveries. The cairn at Kincorth remains but has been half removed by the construction of a path.

The cairn itself is almost 6 meters wide and 0.5m tall. It is best preserved on the southern side. Some kerbs remain in place despite the path and the houking. It looks towards Tollo Hill on its southern side.

Going up Wellington Road, the A956, to Altens leave at the Hareness roundabout and take the sharp turn to Redwood Road, then take the first road north, Abbotswell, and find the hill walks. Once on Kincorth Hill head west, past another cairn, until the first sharp corner. Follow the walkers path west over some rocks and bogs. This will lead straight to the cairn.

Visited 28/2/2011.

Revisited 18/1/2018.

This cist/ring/kerb cairn has been badly robbed thru the centuries but still exists in the lovely location Tollohill which overlooks the River Dee. As canmore says (see links) some stones are scattered, some are missing whilst others remain intact. The capstone is worth a look itself.

This was the perfect remedy for a rather hellish Sunday. Just to the south of Aberdeen take the South Deeside Road, B9077, then take the first minor road south marked Banchory-Devenick. One mile on and the car park for the Tollohill Wood walks can be found. Take the south most path and head north/downhill the cist is next to the path, to the left. To be fair whoever looks after these paths should be congratulated after the winters battering they are in remarkably good condition just like the cist.

Visited 28/2/2011.

This is a very difficult site to find as it is overgrown and in amongst jabby bushes. Several kerbs remain and I pulled back 4 clumps of turf to reveal kerbs. On the south eastern side the kerbs can be felt underfoot. It is 6 meters wide and 0.6 meters tall. It also has been hollowed out at some point. Even though there isn’t much to see there is plenty in the area. Braeneil is next door and the RSC at Castle Fraser is along the road which also has several standing stones nearby.

I parked inbetween the Greenburn and Achath farms. The hill on the east side of the road being Lumphanan Hill. Luckily enough I found old railway sleepers crossing the ditch. Over the fence, thru the field, keep to the edge of the wood (east side) and keep going until the trees thin out. Fortunately the site has a gap in amongst the jabby stuff. Climbing further up hill reveals lots of wee cairns and many rocks. Sadly no rock art was found.

Visited 26/2/2011.