Hill: Meikle Balloch Hill
Date: Friday 20th November 2009
Company: Myself and Beinn
Time: 1 Hr
Dog friendly: Yes
On the way home from Glen Roy on Friday, I decided to nip up a short easy Marilyn near Keith.
From the A96 in Keith, I turned off towards Dunnyduff and drove to the road end at Wester Herricks where there is a small car park.
From previously looking at the map for this hill I was expecting to have to follow a landrover track South for a couple of kilometres before heading back North up the hill. I found there is now a direct track through the trees towards the summit.
We set off initially following the wide track and then turned off at a junction marked by a green post (with blue line).
Balloch Forest track from car park:
Track through the trees (with marker post):
The direct path towards the summit is of varying quality. Parts of the path have been surfaced, other parts are still under construction.
Unsurfaced path:
Surfaced path:
After clearing the trees the surfaced path ended, next to another marker post. From this point to the summit was a bit wet underfoot.
Looking towards summit of Meikle Balloch Hill:
Was pleasantly surprised after clearing the trees to see a number of surrounding hills including Ben Rinnes, Tap O'Noth, Knock
Hill, Bin of Cullen, Fourman Hill, Buck O'Cabrach, etc.
The path to the summit has a few large cairns along the way.
Ben Rinnes:
Keith:
Track towards summit:
Tap O'Noth:
Knock Hill from summit trig point:
Distant Bin of Cullen:
Distant Buck O'Cabrach:
It was starting to get dark as we made our descent back to the car. We returned by the same route.
Newmill village:
I re-ascended this hill with my daughter Becky on 31st July 2010. Becky's report
follows:
Hill: Meikle Balloch Hill
Company: Becky, Dad and Beinn
Date: Saturday 31st July 2010
Today I asked my dad if we could go up a hill.
We went up a hill while my mum went to Tescos in Keith.
This was my ninth hill and I managed it all myself.
My dad helped me with this story and pictures.