Dunecht Estate & Barmekin Hill

The 12th month brought our 12th monthly walk yesterday. Six of us drove over to the north gates of Dunecht Estate - and waited. Showers were passing through - or so we thought - so surely it was just a matter of time before we could start our walk? After 20 minutes or so sitting in the cars, we decided it was time to brave it.

All togged up, we set off:

 

We passed by the lake and it was still a little damp:

After that point, the rain desisted and the conditions for the rest of the day were pretty pleasant for early December.

We marched through the estate and out through the south gate then along a narrow road for 2 kms until we reached the B road from Echt to Dunecht. We had to walk along that for about 100 yards then turned left and started the ascent of Barmekin Hill.

The path up was fairly narrow through ferns and heather, and it could have been tricky to follow when everything was in full bloom:

As we climbed, there were good views of the ever-expanding village of Echt:

It wasn't long until we reached the ruined hill fort and the trig point at the top:

There were terrific 360 degree views of Bennachie to the north and the snow-capped mountains to the west:

Time for lunch:

We found our way back down the other side of the hill and eventually back across the B road and into the Dunecht Estate again, where we once again had good views of the large and impressive Dunecht House:

Another good day out, finished off with coffee and cakes at Buchanan's back in Banchory. Here's the stats: