recommended route
SCO-118-Lumphanan Rural Ramble
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(1) Start walk at public garden on Perkhill RoadPhoto: Alison Mackenzie, Community
Duration: 1.5 hours.
This gentle little ramble around the rural outskirts of Lumphanan offers some lovely countryside views. At the mid-point, where a bench overlooks the village, there is a fine view over the rolling Deeside farmland and forests towards Mount Keen, the most easterly “Munro”. On the return leg, the walk follows a section of the Old Military Road that ran from Fochabers to Fettercairn, completed under the direction of General Wade’s deputy, Major William Caulfeild, in 1761. This part of the old road was not incorporated into the modern public roads network and is now a path through mixed woodland, becoming a field and farm access track as it climbs over the shoulder of Glenshalg Hill towards Tullochvenus. After a delightful downhill section in mixed woodland, the route re-enters the village at Glen Road under the imposing Stothert Memorial Chapel. The village of Lumphanan is famously associated with King Macbeth of Scotland (or Alba). The Battle of Lumphanan was fought on 15 August 1057, between Macbeth and the future King Malcolm III. According to traditional sources, Macbeth was killed at Lumphanan, having led his retreating forces north to make a final stand. There is a well close to the village where Macbeth is believed to have taken his last drink in the heat of battle and, nearby, “Macbeth’s Stone” is said to be the stone upon which Macbeth was beheaded before his body was buried under a cairn. Needless to say, there are alternative versions of Macbeth’s eventual death after the battle, with his demise allegedly days later in Scone, and burial on Iona. After the walk, consider visiting the interesting “Peel Ring of Lumphanan”, the site of a 13thC motte, now managed by Historic Environment Scotland.
Our website link: https://themackwalks.wordpress.com/2020/07/16/118-lumphanan-rural-ramble-aberdeenshire/
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(1) Start walk at public garden on Perkhill Road(57.12746; -2.68820) https://w3w.co/polygraph.newer.obstinateStart the walk at the little ornamental garden on Perkhill Road, opposite the Macbeth Arms Hotel on the southern side, where there is a community notice board and a pergola housing a representation of 'Macbeth's Stone'. With your back to the notice board, turn right along Station Square, away from the A980 Perkhill Road. Cross the road and continue walking in an easterly direction down a lane with houses on either side at the end of Station Square.
(2) Right down path off lane at end of Station Square(57.12819; -2.68618) https://w3w.co/circling.refills.tribalIn about 155 m, at the end of the lane leading away from Station Square, before the driveway to a private house, turn right down a narrow path which very quickly turns left to continue onwards in an easterly direction. This wooded path, known locally as 'Lovers Lane', soon runs parallel with a small burn, with open views of farmland on the left side, and evidence of old water mill works on the right side. (156 m)
(3) Over wooden footbridge and go left(57.12843; -2.67993) https://w3w.co/prospered.evoked.regularlyIn 400 m, cross the wooden footbridge and turn left along a grassy track between fields. (549 m)
(4) Continue uphill at junction beside farm buildings(57.13387; -2.68165) https://w3w.co/trail.save.functionsIn 650 m, as the track goes uphill towards farm buildings, veer slightly right, away from a rough road going left, and continue uphill, ignoring a rough field access road almost immediately on your right. Keep going uphill as the rough road gets steeper. (1.2 km)
(5) Right onto tarred road - then left through gate(57.13510; -2.68163) https://w3w.co/comforted.nanny.sizedIn 200 m, turn right onto a tarred minor road. Then, in less than 30 m, go left through a pedestrian gate into an area of open woodland. (1.4 km)
(6) Veer left and gently uphill after entering gate(57.13546; -2.68148) https://w3w.co/spindles.swims.leapIn about 50 m from meeting the tarred road, and after passing through the pedestrian gate on your left, veer left and gently uphill where there is a sign marking the route for the Old Military Road. (1.45 km)
(7) Viewpoint bench(57.13709; -2.68629) https://w3w.co/changed.placidly.samplesIn 400 m you will have arrived at an open area on the hillside where there is a bench at a viewpoint overlooking the village of Lumphanan. From here, there is a good view over the rolling Deeside farmland and forests and towards Mount Keen, the most easterly “Munro”. When you are ready, carry on along the track as before. (1.8 km)
(8) Through gate and left down Old Military Road path(57.14018; -2.68631) https://w3w.co/intervene.shuttle.lushlyIn another 400 m, at a set of gates, go through the pedestrian gate and turn left onto a wooded path going downhill. This is actually a section of the Old Military Road that ran from Fochabers to Fettercairn, completed under the direction of General Wade’s deputy, Major William Caulfeild, in 1761. Unlike other sections, this part of the old road was not incorporated into the modern public roads network. (2.2 km)
(9) Veer right down Glen Road back to village centre(57.13179; -2.69047) https://w3w.co/port.media.ghostsAfter a very pleasant meander downhill in mixed woodland, with the Cloak Burn below you on your right, and just after a distinctive bench made from horseshoes, you will arrive at a tarred road, just below the imposing spire of the Stothert Memorial Chapel, originally built as a Free Church in the 19th C but now closed for worship. Veer right here to go downhill into the village on Glen Road, with the Cloak Burn now more clearly visible on your right side. Soon, you will meet Perkhill Road where you will carry on along the pavement past the Meet Again Tea-Room and the Macbeth Arms towards the start point of the walk. (3.3 km)
(10) Finish walk back at start point(57.12742; -2.68824) https://w3w.co/polygraph.newer.obstinateIn 500 m, you will have arrived back at the start-point of the walk at the community notice board and ornamental garden area. (3.8 km)
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