Me and Elizabeth on Clachnaben

Hiking Clachnaben and discovering Glen Dye

I’ve long wanted to walk up Clachnaben, the iconic 589-metre hill just south of Banchory in Aberdeenshire. It’s such a striking Aberdeenshire landmark, easily recognisable thanks to a massive granite outcrop at its peak. We finally tackled the walk today and it did not disappoint.

You can see it in this next photo as the hill with the nipple-shaped peak on the left.

A sign saying Wake up next to people who make you feel happy with Clachnaben in the background.

These people make me happy.

A selfie of the four of us in front of the sign and Clachnaben off to the left
Clachnaben with it's distinctive rocky crop in the distance
Elizabeth smiling and looking lovely for the camera
Clachnaben through the trees
Daniel walking up the track with the valley behind him

All the heather is in flower just now giving the hills a lovely purple hue.

Elizabeth and Daniel walking up with views of heather and the valley beyond
Clachnaben getting closer with just the track and heather in between
Another shot of Daniel walking up. Higher now.
At the top with the rocky outcrop on the right and views on the left
Me and Elizabeth in a selfi
Daniel and Ben at the top
Ben on the rocks
A viewpoint with fields in the distance and a rocky cairn in the foreground
The rocky outcrop on the right with views on the left

It’s not a difficult walk and takes about 2.5 hours there and back if you go straight up. There’s a longer circular route if you want to extend the day.

After the hike we explored the surrounding Glen Dye Estate which is a magical stunning place only 45 minutes from Aberdeen. How have we lived so close for so long and never visited? It’s such an eclectic, inspiring place with all sorts of unexpected things to do and see.

A sign by the river saying "Shall we just love each other"
A building at Glendye with painting on the side saying "Glendye makes me happy"

There are the beautiful, peaceful landscapes of forest, stream and hills.

A stream at Glendye
Another view of the stream

The quirky BYO pub, The Glen Dye Arms.

Ben in the Glen Dye Arms serving Daniel and Elizabeth
Another shot of the pub

Free range chickens with eggs available from the estate shop.

Free-range hens

A quite magnificent store with all sorts of hand-crafted items made in the UK but you will need a fat wallet as it’s not cheap.

Gladstone's store from the outside
Internal view of Gladstone's store

The library.

The books in the library
A view of tables and seating in the library

Not to mention the saunas, hot tubs, axe-throwing and several other unusual activities you won’t find anywhere else.


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