We are the Inverurie Ramblers. We open the way for everyone in our local community to enjoy the pleasures of walking.
The walk is Moderate (at a reasonable, i.e. not slow pace, due to short winter days) linear walk up Hill of Foudland in the morning, then a partly circular walk up Hill of Tillymorgan in the afternoon. We will drive one mile to the start of the 2nd hill. BOOKING IS ESSENTIAL - please contact the walk leader Jay using the contact details provided to book.
Distance: Hill of Foudland - from Colpy and back 5 miles. Hill of Tillymorgan there and back 3 miles . Total about 8 miles. Ascent: 525 metres total for both hills, morning and afternoon.
Meeting and starting point – We will meet at Colpy, a small settlement on the west side of the A96. OS Landranger Map number 29 Banff & Huntly, Grid Reference for Colpy NJ 642 325. Nearest postcode AB52 6XA. Colpy is just off the A96 about 1.5 miles north of Kellockbank. (Colpy is on the left, 300m BEFORE the A920 road east to Oldmeldrum, if coming from Inverurie.)
Parking at Colpy is just off the A96, either at the start of the dead end road signed to Jericho, or at the start of the road to Largie. There is space for a number of cars in both places, which are very close to each other in Colpy and fully off the A96.
In the afternoon we will return to the cars, drive across the A96 and take the A920 road for less than a mile to Kirkton of Culsalmond. Turn left at the first crossroads on the A920, after less than half a mile and park adjacent to the old kirk and the burial ground, at the entrance to the farm. (Don’t turn / or follow the road right at the farm, instead keep left/left to the farm.) The Grid reference for the parking for Tillymorgan Hill is NJ651 329.
This walk is a two hill day for hillwalkers, but both are lowish hills. Nevertheless, we will be climbing more than 500m, so the walk is for fit hillwalkers. Both hills have a long history of slate quarrying and we will see evidence of this old industry on the two hills. There are good views from the summits. The track up Hill of Foudland is a vehicle track. The top of the walk round Hill of Tillymorgan is on rough ground and small paths between the quarries.
If the weather is poor, we may just do the Hill of Foudland.
Booking is essential. Please contact the walk leader using the contact details provided to book, or if you have any questions, by the Thursday evening prior to the walk. Please phone or text. If you leave a message please remember to leave your name and contact telephone number. Confirmation of your booking is required for attendance. It is essential for the walk leader to know who is coming on the walk and to be able to contact people should there be any changes. Please remember to contact the walk leader if you are no longer able to attend.
Good walking boots with ankle support are strongly advised, waterproof jacket and trousers are essential, plus warm clothes, hat and gloves. Walking poles, if you use them. Gaiters are good in winter. Bring (hot) drinks and packed lunch.
Toilets – there are none available.
Colpy
Colpy
Old Kirk, Kirkton of Culsalmond
