SCO-013-Pitfichie-Whitehill Stone C-Green Hill

Waypoints

(1) Start at the Pitfichie Forest Car-park(57.20827; -2.57281) https://w3w.co/sprayed.thin.storylineStart the walk at the Pitfichie Forest-Whitehill Stone Circle car-park. Walk gently uphill past the steel gate and proceed along the forest road as it climbs away from the car-park in a westerly direction. At various points along this road, marvellous views open up of the farmland and forests in the Monymusk area, to the east.

(2) Right and gently uphill at y-junction(57.20901; -2.59267) https://w3w.co/fail.output.hockeyIn 1.2 km from the car-park, at a y-junction, follow the main forest road as it bends right and goes gently uphill. (1.2 km)

(3) Check out Whitehill Stone Circle(57.21084; -2.59231) https://w3w.co/bongo.cascaded.tripledIn another 300 m, you will arrive at the Whitehill Stone Circle on your left. As with the many other recumbent stone circles found in the NE of Scotland, it was probably constructed, and used for ceremonial purposes, during the the second and third millennia B.C. Most of the upright stones have fallen, but the west flanker stone to the recumbent still stands, as does an upright to the NW of the circle. The raised low cairn and pit within the circle are still very obvious, possibly the site of cremation burials. When you are ready to move on, return to the forest road, turn left along it and carry on.  (1.5 km)

(4) Left and up forest track(57.21703; -2.58712) https://w3w.co/drifter.crumb.blinkingAfter a further 800 m, or so, at a green post on your right where the road widens and veers to the right, go left to follow a path into the trees. The immediate ascent onto the path is quite steep, but the path soon assumes a more gentle ascent through the forest. Continue up through the trees, eventually reaching more open moorland to the west. Here, the path turn sharply right and ascends more steeply towards the summit of the Green Hill. There are great views to your left.  (2.3 km)

(5) Cairn on summit of Green Hill(57.22053; -2.59342) https://w3w.co/dishes.treaty.skimsIn about 1 km from leaving the forest road you will have arrived at the summit of Green Hill, where there is a small cairn of stones. This is a great all-around viewpoint, looking down on the fertile Howe of Alford. In particular, there are magnificent views to the west. On a clear day you can easily pick out the following prominent hill-tops: Mount Keen; Lochnagar; Morven; Ben An; Buck of Cabrach; Ben Rinnes; Knock Hill; Hill of Foudland.  When you are ready, continue along the path ina northerly direction as it start to descend.  (3.3 km)

(6) Passing the Luath Stone(57.22493; -2.59336) https://w3w.co/commenced.contemplate.textilesIn 600 m from the Green Hill summit cairn, watch out for a single standing stone in the heather below you on your left, about 150 m away. There are three small pine trees close to the stone. This is the Luath Stone. Traditionally, it is associated with marking the spot where Lulach, the stepson of King Macbeth of Scotland (c. 1005-1057), was murdered. However, the evidence for this is thin, and the stone may have had a less colourful purpose.  Carry on down the path, with a wide expanse of heather on the left, and Pitfichie Forest, getting closer and closer, on the right.  (3.9 km)

(7) Go right at open space(57.22990; -2.58788) https://w3w.co/gallons.prowl.positionsIn another 700 m, (now 1.3 km from the Green Hill summit cairn), you arrive at an open space beside a forest road, with a green marker post on your left. On one side, facing you, the road ascends to your left. Your route, however, is to go right and take the forest road downhill through the trees.  (4.6 km)

(8) Right to start return on forest road(57.22923; -2.57218) https://w3w.co/patching.backed.squaresAfter a gentle descent of 1.2 km, you will have arrived at the main forestry road at the base of Pitfichie Forest. Turn right here to start your return to your starting point at the car-park. This return leg is approximately 4.1 km in length. Intermittently, there are superb open views to your left of the countryside around Monymusk and further beyond.  (5.8 km)

(9) Finish walk back at car-park(57.20830; -2.57290) https://w3w.co/sprayed.thin.storylineAfter 4.1 km you will have arrived back at the car-park where you started the walk.  (9.9 km)