SCO-091-Brindy Hill-Satter Hill-Knock Saul Circuit

Waypoints

(1) Start walk from car-park area near Brindy Cottage(57.28430; -2.64717) https://w3w.co/saving.universes.speaksThe walk starts from a small car-parking area at the entrance to an access road, just north of Brindy Cottage, on the opposite side of the road from the cottage. This is approximately 3.6 km (2.25 ml) from the centre of Auchleven on the B992 road from Auchleven to Keig, or 3.2 km (2.2 ml) from Keig to Auchleven. Cross the road with care, veering left for the Gordon Way post and pedestrian gate. Walk uphill on Brindy Hill by the wide grassy field edge (the field is now planted with young conifer trees).

(2) Right and down to Gordon Way gate(57.28236; -2.65508) https://w3w.co/straying.relegate.idealsAfter ascending over the brow of Brindy Hill, in just over 550 m, at the corner of the field, go right and downhill on a narrow path for a short distance to the Gordon Way post, and then go through the pedestrian gate.  (555 m)

(3) Immediately uphill on path through trees then go right(57.28258; -2.65548) https://w3w.co/mimed.stroke.rucksackIn 40 m, or so, with your back to the Gordon Way gate, go immediately uphill on a narrow path through trees then go sharp right at the Gordon Way post to walk through an avenue of broadleaf trees.  (597 m)

(4) Left in open cleared area then take rough road(57.28404; -2.65735) https://w3w.co/recently.umpires.circulateIn 200 m, after emerging from the avenue of young trees, turn left at another Gordon Way post in an open grassy area. Very soon, join an old rough road ahead of you on your right side that swings to the right and gently uphill through an area of gorse and broom bushes. This will take you to the abandoned croft at Knowhead.  (797 m)

(5) Pass abandoned Knowhead Croft(57.28454; -2.66111) https://w3w.co/stencil.abode.upliftingIn 300 m, or so, you will pass the abandoned croft of Knowhead on your left side. After the croft, follow the grassy path as it at first veers left and then straight uphill. Be aware that this stage from Knowhead Croft to the next waypoint, covers 1.5 km in total. Soon, the path, in a very wide grassy area with trees on both sides, will start to ascend more steeply up the shoulder of Satter Hill. Follow the path down the other side of the hill through some widely spaced mature trees edged by a large area of gorse on your right side. At this point, the commercial forest on your left side, over a fence, has been cleared, opening up tremendous views to the west and over the Howe of Alford. Keep following the path, now through grassy pasture, as it bottoms out and then starts to ascend again, with a conifer plantation once more on the left side. You are making for a Gordon Way pedestrian gate into the trees on your left side, part way up the slope.  (1.1 km)

(6) Left through pedestrian gate into forest(57.29135; -2.68206) https://w3w.co/grandson.diplomats.evokeIn 1.5 km from Knowhead Croft, go left through the Gordon Way pedestrian gate into the conifer forest, ensuring you re-fasten the security chain behind you. Follow the path through the trees, passing another Gordon Way post as you head for a nearby forest road.  (2.6 km)

(7) Right and up forest road(57.29072; -2.68472) https://w3w.co/collision.dreaming.graduatedIn about 150 m, the path emerges onto a forest road where ther is a Gordon Way post with an arrow pointing right. Go right for a short distance (150 m) along the forest road until the next Gordon Way post.  (2.8 km)

(8) Left off forest road(57.29205; -2.68456) https://w3w.co/shelter.tonality.waspsIn 150 m, at the next Gordon Way post, go left to follow the path into the forest. Follow this path through the trees, crossing over a couple of forest roads. Eventually the path emerges from the trees onto heather moorland as you start the final short stage of the ascent to the summit of Knock Saul.  (2.9 km)

(9) Summit of Knock Saul(57.29646; -2.69908) https://w3w.co/grew.scowls.scoredIn 1 km from Waypoint 8, you will have arrived at the open, heathery summit area of Knock Saul where there is an ancient cairn and a modern trig point and picnic bench. There are wonderful views in all directions: the Bennachie and Menaway Hills in the east; the Tap o' Noth and Ben Rinnes in the north-west; and the Deeside hills and Cairngorms to the south and south-west. When you are ready, carry on taking the Gordon Way path going west, past the trig point. Follow this path as it starts to descend through the heathery ground towards trees again.  (3.9 km)

(10) Left along forest road(57.29777; -2.70527) https://w3w.co/used.converged.unwoundIn 400 m from the Knock Saul summit, where the Gordon Way path crosses over a forest road, leave the Gordon Way to take the forest road left, in a southerly direction.  (4.3 km)

(11) Keep going straight on(57.29608; -2.70585) https://w3w.co/larger.reseller.shearsIn 200 m, at a wide junction in the forest roads, keep going in a broadly southerly direction, ignoring the option to go downhill and westerly, to your right.  (4.5 km)

(12) Follow forest road veering left and uphill past gate(57.29324; -2.70613) https://w3w.co/standards.resettle.lecturedIn 300 m, at a junction, do NOT go downhill to your right. Carry on, as the forest road veers left and gently uphill towards a gate. Pass around the gate and carry on walking on the forest road as good views open up on your right side.  (4.8 km)

(13) Follow forest road veering left and uphill at y-junction(57.29218; -2.69687) https://w3w.co/store.spillage.flamencoIn 600 m, at a junction, keep following the forest road as it veers left and uphill at a y-junction.  (5.4 km)

(14) Right to re-trace steps on Gordon Way path(57.29432; -2.69255) https://w3w.co/goose.coach.removedIn 400 m, at a Gordon Way post, leave the forest road and go right to regain the Gordon Way path. Now re-trace your steps* all the way back to your start point near Brindy Cottage. (5.8 km)

*Note: take care after passing the abandoned Knowhead Croft to follow the rough road away from the croft as it eventually veers left towards the Gordon Way post you encountered at Waypoint 4. As there are a number of cleared grassy tracks through the trees in this area, it is possible to head too far right and downhill, which would add to the length of the walk.

(15) Finish walk back at car-park near Brindy Cottage(57.28423; -2.64716) https://w3w.co/comb.estuaries.kneeledIn 3.4 km, you will have arrived back at the little parking area near Brindy Cottage where you started the walk.  (9.2 km)