Walk of the Week: Weddersbie Hill

Earlier in the year, Jimbo had enjoyed a short stroll on Auchtermuchty Common. Examining the map, it looked as though the walk could be extended to Weddersbie Hill; ideal for inclement weather.

The hottest ever March day in Scotland, when the residents of Aboyne sunbathed in an unprecedented 23.6C, was quickly followed by a return to winter. An Arctic blast brought a 21-degree drop in temperature and more than six inches of snow in places. With plans to head to the north-west put on hold, I met up with Jimbo and Arthur to explore the Auchtermuchty route. The walk covers two OS maps (58 and 59) and a self-print map is recommended.

King James V granted the Common Lands to the Burgh of Auchtermuchty in 1517. Certain of the town’s householders, the ‘small heritors’ still have the right to graze animals, fly falcons and cut turf. Most of the local Royal Burghs have now lost their common lands, making this one a precious wildlife refuge and an irreplaceable leisure resource for the town. The Common was formally granted to the people of Auchtermuchty in the 1970s.

The Macduff (Auchtermuchty) Trust owns and manages the Common, to conserve and protect its wildlife, flora and fauna. To help save this tiny but important fragment of ancient meadow for future generations to enjoy, why not become a Friend of the Common? Visit www.smartcomm unityfife.org.uk, or contact the Trust Secretary c/o Auchtermuchty Community Centre, 1 Distillery Street, Auchtermuchty, Fife KY14 7BY.

THE ROUTE

And so to Broombrae Farm. Follow the track slanting left, an attractive old right of way which might once have been part of a coach road from Falkland to Scone. Pass on the right two of the three areas comprising the Common, The Whitefield and The Mairs, but I would suggest first continuing to the small, not well signposted car park off the B936. Read the notice board, then retrace steps for a wander round the newly fenced-off area, but with plenty of gates.

Return to the B936, head north, then east on the minor road, passing Lumquhat Farm to reach a wooded strip, map ref 247134. (The mapped path from the Common to the farm scarcely exists now.) A path winds through the strip, on our day with yellow gorse and snow. Cross a fence, then a gentle descent leads to the edge of Weddersbie Hill. Pass through a gap in the wall and follow an obvious path to the forestry track. With lower slopes now felled, there are good views south to the Lomonds.

Follow the track east then curving north to a junction of tracks on the east side of the quaintly named Red Myre, an overgrown reedy pond. On our day there was a colossal number of trees down, many of which blocked the tracks. This involved lengthy detours. Hopefully you will not experience any problems, but, hey, this is all part of the fun.

Turn sharply right for an anti- clockwise circuit of the northern end of the forest, passing close by the site of the 196m trig point, map ref 258144. A short ascent through partially wooded slopes leads to the trig point on the small, heathery dome. Although the dome is not wooded, a lower rim of trees cuts out distant views. Return to Red Myre, head west by its northern edge and so to the west end of the forest, from where a broad track descends to Lumquhat. Then retrace steps back to Auchtermuchty.

THE FACTS

MAPS: Ordnance Survey map 58, Perth & Alloa, and 59, St Andrews

HEIGHT: 200m

DISTANCE: 8 milesTerrain Right of Way, minor road and forest tracks

START POINT: Auchtermuchty

TIME: 4 to 5 hours

NEAREST TOWN: Auchtermuchty

RECOMMENDED REFRESHMENT SPOT: The Tannochbrae Tearoom, High Street, Auchtermuchty