Walk 3 Aldie and Morangie Forest circular around Hill of Tain and Edderton Hill.

Walk 3 Aldie and Morangie Forest circular around

Hill of Tain and Edderton Hill.

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 around the hill. Its distance is 12 miles and follows forest roads for most of the route and forest made-up footpaths for the remainder of the route.

There are two places where public roads can give access to the route to allow for any need to shorten the walk due to weather etc.

The first place is Tarlogie where a small parking area near to the cottages at Grid Ref NH754 833 allows foot access to the forest. The second is at Upper Bogrow where a farm track runnning parallel to the route terminates at a forest gate and forest track leading upwards to the route. A small turning area needs care with farm equipment and farm access.

The Aldie and Morangie Forest circular around Hill of Tain and Edderton Hill 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 continue 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 eastwards downhill along this road. Continue downhill for about a kilometre swinging left and right until it meets the main forest track coming up from Tarlogie at Grid Ref NH756 828. Note that on the OS 1:25000 there are some roads not shown. At this point access from the A9 is close if required.

Turn west along the main track, climbing for the next 3 kilometres or so with views over the Dornoch Firth and out to the mountains to the north and west.

Ben Klibreck with its pointed top is visible in clear weather.

A suitable stopping place overlooks Meikle Ferry and Cambuscurrie Bay.

The road continues, swinging around southwards for several kilometres gradually descending. The Ben Tarsuin windfarm is visible to the west over the Edderton Burn and Upper Bogrow where access from public roads is possible.

Now continue eastwards on the same forest track. At the crossing of the Allt Clachach are the ruins of a small community NH 728 797 and at NH 737 797 are the ruins of an inn. Continue past the junction and the ‘Dogs Grave’ reached on the outward journey and the trek returns to the car park via the outward route.

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.