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Aberdeenshire

Clachnaben Walk, Glen Dye

A 589-metre hill in Glen Dye, south of Banchory, crowned by a great granite tor that ships once used as a landmark from the sea, climbed on a good path from the Bridge of Dye.

Welcome

Seen from almost anywhere in Lower Deeside, Clachnaben is unmistakable: a rounded heather hill with a great granite tor perched on its top like a castle keep.

The rock is so distinctive that sailors in the North Sea once used it, along with the Mither Tap of Bennachie, to take their bearings, and the old rhyme runs: Clachnaben and Bennachie are twa landmarks frae the sea.

The climb starts from a forest car park in Glen Dye, just north of the old Bridge of Dye on the Cairn o' Mount road. The path winds through birch and pine and across the open moor of Miller's Bog before it climbs the final slope to the tor, and a local charity, the Clachnaben Path Trust, has worked for years to keep it in good order.

The summit is 589 metres high, and the round trip takes about two and a half hours. From the top the view runs over the forests of Deeside and far across the Mearns to the sea.

A short drive awayFinzean Farm Shop and TearoomA farm shop and tearoom in the Finzean valley.14 min by roadSee itFinzean Farm Shop and tearoom with the Feugh valley beyond.
Before you go

Free, at any time.

The path starts from the forest car park in an old quarry just north of the Bridge of Dye on the B974; allow about two and a half hours there and back.

Start
The forest car park three-quarters of a kilometre north of the Bridge of Dye, B974.
Height
589 metres.
Where it is

In Glen Dye, off the B974 Cairn o' Mount road, eight miles south of Banchory.

Close byGlen Dye.
  1. Glen Dye ShopGlen Dye Shop1 mile 2 min by road
  2. Pink heather and forest below the hills around Scolty.Scolty Hill Walk7 miles 11 min by road
  3. A concrete block on the grassy hill ground above Balnahard, the Finzean hills beyond.Balnahard FarmMeet and brush a fold of Highland cows on a family hill farm in Finzean.8 miles 13 min by road
  4. River tumbling over rocky falls through a wooded gorgeFalls of FeughSalmon leaping the falls south of Banchory.8 miles 11 min by road
  5. The tall copper stills in Fettercairn's stillhouse, among steel walkways.Fettercairn DistilleryA distillery at the foot of the Grampians.9 miles 12 min by road
Directions
Timber cabin with metal roof and decking surrounded by woodland treesBanchoryNorth Lodge and River CabinSleeps 6 · 1.1 miles
A stone cottage with a slated roof and black stove pipe sits beside a gravel drive, foxgloves and wildflowers lining the path.StrachanNo 4 Steading CottageSleeps 7 · 1.1 miles
An aerial view shows a long stone steading with a slated roof and a rooftop hot tub, a smaller outbuilding and gravel courtyard beside it.BanchoryNo 5 Steading CottageSleeps 7 · 1.1 miles
A mint-green sitting room has a cobalt-blue velvet sofa with orange and green cushions, two floor lamps with teal shades either side, a rustic wooden coffee table, and framed abstract and sunset prints on the wall above.StrachanThe Corner HouseSleeps 6 · 1.1 miles
An aerial view shows a white harled farmhouse with multiple chimneys set beside a gravel courtyard and stone outbuildings.StrachanThe Coach HouseSleeps 12 · 1.1 miles
A stone steading with a slated pyramid roof and a chimney stands behind a green nameplate sign, a chair visible through the window.StrachanNo 2 Steading CottageSleeps 4 · 1.1 miles
A stone cottage with dormer windows sits behind a low blue gate, a rose-covered archway framing the front door.StrachanGamekeeper’s CottageSleeps 6 · 1.1 miles
A stone farmhouse covered in climbing ivy stands behind a gravel drive, seen through overhanging pine branches.Glen DyeCuttieshillockSleeps 6 · 1.1 miles
Sofas flank a window framed by red curtains looking out to a garden and outbuilding, a coffee table set with candles and a small house-shaped ornament between them.StrachanThe Hay Loft at GlendyeSleeps 4 · 1.1 miles
The Daily for 19 October, from Scotland with love. bare tree stumps standing in an autumn loch, forested hills reflected in the still water

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Stay nearby

Places to stay near the hill, and when each is next free.

Timber cabin with metal roof and decking surrounded by woodland treesNorth Lodge and River Cabin
  • Sleeps 6
  • In Banchory
  • 2 miles from Clachnaben
Free 29–30 OctA stone farmhouse covered in climbing ivy stands behind a gravel drive, seen through overhanging pine branches.Cuttieshillock
  • Sleeps 6
  • In Glen Dye
  • 2 miles from Clachnaben
Free 22–24 OctA stone cottage with dormer windows sits behind a low blue gate, a rose-covered archway framing the front door.Gamekeeper’s Cottage
  • Sleeps 6
  • In Strachan
  • 2 miles from Clachnaben
Free 2–4 NovA stone steading with a slated pyramid roof and a chimney stands behind a green nameplate sign, a chair visible through the window.No 2 Steading Cottage
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Strachan
  • 2 miles from Clachnaben
Free 15–17 NovPlaces to stayEvery stay in AberdeenshireAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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