Walk 2 Aldie and Morangie Forest circular around Hill of Tain.

Walk 2 Aldie and Morangie Forest circular around Hill of Tain.

OS Landranger Map No 21.

OS Explorer Map No 438.

The route can be walked in either direction and the following description takes the anticlockwise route. Its distance is 7.5 miles and follows forest roads for most of the route.

The Aldie and Morangie Forest starts and finishes at the Aldie Forest car park at Grid Ref NH757 792. The car park is sign-posted on the Scotsburn road from Tain beyond Quebec Bridge on the north side of the minor road. There is ample room for parking, with picnic seating. There is an explanation board and leaflet dispenser at the walkers exit to the car park.

Start at the footpath exit from the parking area and continue westwards, crossing a forest road. The path continues, overlooking a picnic area and pond. At this point the route has two options for a short distance before converging at the wooden bridge and shelter at Grid Ref NH745 793 next to the old drove road ford.

One option is to keep to the high ground above the burn through the woodland. Keep straight on at the next fork in the path. The path passes by the ruins of Mineralbank farm which was abandoned in the 20^th century.

The footpath winds about, making easy wheelchair access in this area before reaching the wooden shelter at the ford.

The second option is to descend into the glen and cross the wooden bridge over the burn before proceeding upstream, passing a ruined building above the path and modern stone artwork in the path before reaching the wooden shelter at the ford where the first option re-joins the route.

From the shelter follow the signs for the dog’s grave, this is part of an old drove road from Edderton. To the west is a low-lying area where Roe deer are often seen.

The wall beside the track peters out as a junction with a forest road is reached. Turning east for a very short distance and this track meets the main forest road. There is a sign for the ‘Dog’s Grave’ and this is the next way-point to look for westwards along this road.

It will be seen at Grid Ref NH 743 794 where a stone marks the memorial to a pet killed in an accident in Perthshire many years ago. After passing this spot continue to the junction and take the right-hand branch to the north and proceed uphill along this branch for about 2 kilometres until the track passes under a line of electricity pylons. Turn uphill at this point to follow a footpath which leads to a viewpoint and picnic table near the top of Tain Hill.

Views around are extensive – if the weather is clear. Ben Rinnes can be seen away eastwards and Ben Klibreck to the northwest to mention just two hills.

Continue to follow the track below the pylons until it meets the forestry road at Grid Ref 744 818 and turn westwards along this road.

After about a kilometre Lochan Uaine is seen on the north side of the road, this is the halfway point of the route, with expansive to the west and the wind farm on the slopes above the Struie hills. Continue with the gorge of the Allt Clachach to your west.

The road swings around to an easterly direction. It can be a difficult route in wet weather and care is needed to keep to dry ground.

The Neolithic Long Cairn Carn Liath (Grey Cairn) can be seen in the trees below and after around a kilometre the outward forest road is re-joined at Grid Ref 739 799 and the downward trek returns to the car park via the ‘Dogs Grave’.

Please take note of any Forest notices of work in progress which may cause the route to have restrictions due to timber extraction. This warning is for all walks through the Forest Estate in Scotland.

Please let ERROWA know of any changes in conditions on the route which may need some attention or TLC.