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Explore the outdoors: A peaceful dog walk at Corrennie Forest

Corrennie Forest and Moor walk. Picture by Julia Sidell
Corrennie Forest and Moor walk. Picture by Julia Sidell

With one dog nursing a poorly leg, I took the opportunity to take my fitter and somewhat more obedient spaniel for a long walk.

I’ve been to Corrennie Forest a few times, but have never crossed the moor. So, knowing we were in for a warm day, I set off early to avoid the midday heat.

Heading along the A944 from Alford towards Aberdeen, Corrennie Forest is situated on the right-hand side, just outside a small village called Tillyfourie.

The forest is signposted and there is a small car park. Setting off, the path is a reasonably level, well-defined stoney track that leads up the hill, winding through a forest of pines and spruces. It gently climbs up eventually to some amazing views. It isn’t a strenuous climb by any means, and at times you don’t even realise the track isn’t flat.

I’ve seen deer roaming here before, but nothing catches my eye on this walk except lots of birds chirping and fluttering between the forest branches, following me through their territory.

Crossing a small burn, the forest gives way to open moorland for a short while.

The track is a little steeper here, but still nothing too taxing. I pass a small stone quarry and eventually the forest finishes so all that is left is moorland and hills. The scenery is magnificent. Turning around to admire the view, I can see Bennachie and its distinctive Mither Tap.

Normally I turn around and head back at this point, but taking in how nice the weather is and feeling unusually energetic, I carry on to see where the track takes me.

I walk round the edge of Corrennie Moor, covered with brown clumps of heather. I imagine this is quite a colourful sight at the end of summer, when the heather blooms.

The quietness struck me – so still, with no wind or rustling of trees. I could hear the birds singing but it felt as though there wasn’t another soul around for miles.

Continuing my mission to see the other side of the moor, I followed the track as it made its way down through Forkins Wood. I had expected there to be some dramatic views towards Deeside here, but the trees were too tall and I couldn’t see anything.

The track came to an abrupt halt, trees had fallen and dense forest lay ahead. So feeling a little deflated, I turned around and made my way back up, over the moorland and down into Corrennie Forest.

I have an OS map app on my mobile phone that I checked once in a while, and it told me there was a cairn on the hill, slightly off the beaten track. It’s on the right of the track as you descend, so I followed a slightly flattened route through the trees and over some clumps of heather to find a small pile of stones. It’s quite underwhelming but an unexpected bonus for the walk.

Traipsing back to the main track I carried on. By this time it was nearing 9.30am and there were a few other people out walking dogs. It is never busy here, but there are often one or two people along the track somewhere.

Once back at the car park, there was a small campervan with a family eating their breakfast. What a great way to start the day, and it did make me feel lucky to have this on my doorstep.

It made me hungry, though, and once home I tucked into a delicious bacon sandwich before enjoying a spot of gardening.