The Mack Walks: Short Walks in Scotland Under 10 km Bellabeg-Colquhonnie Castle-Poldullie Bridge Circuit (Aberdeenshire) Route Summary After a steep initial ascent this is an undemanding walk in the scenic Strathdon valley with points of historical interest to enjoy. This area of forests and hill farms forms part of the Cairngorms National Park, and has been a vital passageway for people since Pictish times. Duration: 2.25 hours. Route Overview Duration: 2.25 hours Transport/Parking: There is a very limited Stagecoach #219 bus service to Bellabeg from Alford. Check timetables. Park in the small car-park at the walk start/end point (near the entrance to the access road to Lost farm). Length: 6.380 km / 3.99 mi Height Gain: 223 meter. Height Loss: 223 meter. Max Height: 399 meter. Min Height: 272 meter. Surface: Moderate. Mostly hard-surfaced tracks and minor roads. Two short grassy sections may be overgrown in summer months. Difficulty: Medium. Child Friendly: Yes, if children are used to walks of this distance and overall ascent. Dog Friendly: Yes, on lead on public roads and near farm animals. Refreshments: The Goodbrand and Ross Tearoom in Corgarff is about 7 miles away on the A944. Otherwise, options in Alford. Description This is a varied and interesting walk around and about the small village of Bellabeg in the scenic but remote area of Upper Donside known as Strathdon, where hill farming and forestry are the main local industries. After a steep ascent to a winding forest road in the 'Bellabeg Plantation' above the settlement, there are great views of the Don Valley below you, and a panorama of surrounding hills and countryside. The route then descends to achieve a vantage point above the river valley where the ruined remains of Colquhonnie Castle stand, between the former Colquhonnie Hotel and the famous Lonach Hall. The castle is a ruined 16thC tower house associated with the 1st Lord Elphinstone, and the Forbeses of Towie. Each year, in late August, the Lonach Highlanders gather here in highland dress to celebrate their neighbourly cohesion and the history of their community. Their annual “march” through the parish is famously punctuated with drams of whisky at friendly stops along the way! After crossing the valley and crossing the Don on a footbridge, the route heads west to by-pass the village on the way to the Poldullie Bridge, a rare and captivating example of a single arch stone bridge, constructed in 1715. Unlike many of its neighbours, the bridge survived the catastrophic “Muckle Spate” of August 1829. Near the end of the walk we pass the Doune of Invernochty, the massive earthwork “motte and bailey” remains of a 11thC Norman fortress. Bellabeg, once called Invernochty, sits at the confluence of the Water of Nochty, running down from the Ladder Hills, and the River Don, flowing from its source in the mountainous Ben Avon moorlands. De-population has been a feature of Strathdon for the last 150 years, with the term “Land of the Lost” playing on the name of Lost Farm, near Bellabeg. 1 Waypoints (1) Start walk at car-park by war memorial (57.20415; -3.07270) https://w3w.co/tinted.decanter.already Start the walk from the little car-park near the war memorial in Bellabeg, just off the road signposted for 'Lost'. From the car-park, walk left towards the war memorial and then turn left to walk over the bridge over the Water of Nochty, passing the village shop on your left. Cross the A944 road to ensure you are on the correct side of the road as you carry on walking to the eastern edge of the village. (2) Left up Bellabeg Plantation path (57.20411; -3.06850) https://w3w.co/emailed.curiosity.afflicted In about 300 m from the car-park, after passing the last houses on the eastern edge of the village, cross the A944 road with care at a walks signpost for 'Bellabeg Plantation'. Now ascend the steep grassy path which may be overgrown during summer months. After a direct ascent of approximately 160 m the path meets a forest road. Go left to continue ascending on the forest road. After another 280 m the forest road bends sharp right and continues gently uphill, eventually levelling out. There are great views of Bellabeg and the Don Valley below you, and surrounding hills and countryside. (282 m) (3) Right down grassy path by plantation fence (57.20644; -3.05690) https://w3w.co/stem.boardroom.relief In 1.4 km, as the forest road descends then levels out again, at the fenced corner of a plantation follow an indistinct grassy path downhill, with the plantation fence close on your right side. In a short distance you pass a wooden ladder over the fence. Carry on downhill as the grassy path becomes more recognisable as the remains of an old forest road. In about 240 m, at a deer fence gate on your right side, the path meets a hard-surfaced forest road. Join this forest road and continue downhill. (1.7 km) (4) Left along rough road above Forbestown houses (57.20311; -3.05940) https://w3w.co/lowest.trash.shuttled After a descent of 500 m, or so, the forest road meets a t-junction. Go left here to follow a track just above the back gardens of the line of Forbestown houses. In 330 m, the track becomes a new path between fences as it descends to run parallel with the A944 main road. (2.2 km) 2 (5) Left up to Lonach Hall and castle ruin (57.19911; -3.05405) https://w3w.co/diets.fruitcake.argued In 600 m from Waypoint 4, the new path goes through a gate at one of the entrance drives to the former Colquhonnie Hotel. Veer left here to go uphill on this entrance drive. The Colquhonnie Hotel is closed at the time of writing. However, the Steading Bar behind it is trading (subject to Covid-19 situation). Keep going uphill towards the The Lonach Highland and Friendly Society hall. (2.8 km) (6) Colquhonnie Castle ruin - by Lonach Hall (57.19967; -3.05206) https://w3w.co/heartless.caves.cookers In 100 m, or so, you will find the ruin of Colquhonnie Castle*, wedged between the former hotel and the Lonach Hall**. When you are ready to move on, descend on the Hall steps and cross the grassy area with totem pole*** to the main A944 road. (2.9 km) *Note: Colquhonnie Castle is a ruined 16th-century tower house, allegedly never completed. See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colquhonnie_Castle **Note: The Lonach Highlanders formed in 1823 to preserve highland dress, the Gaelic language, and local community cohesion. The Highlanders parade annually during the annual Lonach Highland Games and Gathering, held on the 4th Saturday of August, to officially open the games. See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lonach_Highlanders ***Note: the totem pole is associated with Strathdon School and a Scotland-wide totem pole carving project in 2001/2002. See: http://www.brotus.co.uk/Brotusfiles/poles/PolesReport2002.pdf (7) Cross road and down path to River Don (57.19886; -3.05305) https://w3w.co/appoints.soulful.snitch In 100 m from the castle ruin, cross the A944 road with care, and join the surfaced path heading south towards the River Don. In about 560 m you will cross the River Don on a footbridge. (3.0 km) 3 (8) Right along Waterside Road (57.19856; -3.05926) https://w3w.co/trickster.food.december In 600 m from the A944 road, just after crossing the footbridge over the River Don, veer right to walk along the minor Waterside Road back in the direction of Bellabeg. (3.6 km) (9) Keep straight on at junction (57.20057; -3.06979) https://w3w.co/belts.shrug.bond In 700 m, at the unusual y-junction above the Strathdon Church (and neighbouring houses) on your right, carry straight on, following the direction indicated on the walks signpost for Poldullie Bridge. (4.3 km) (10) Right for road to Poldullie Bridge (57.19822; -3.07333) https://w3w.co/melts.seating.systems In 400 m, go sharp right onto the narrow access road for Poldullie Bridge. Walk down this road, high above the River Don, underneath you on your right side. (4.7 km) 4 (11) Cross Poldullie Bridge (57.19865; -3.07974) https://w3w.co/splinters.infants.consults In 400 m cross the attractive old Poldullie Bridge* and follow the road up towards the A944 main road. (5.1 km) *Note: '... Poldullie Bridge is one of the best surviving examples of an 18th century single semi-circular arch stone bridge. Unlike many of its neighbours, the bridge survived the catastrophic flooding of August 1829, known as the Muckle Spate. The man behind Poldullie, John Forbes, also known as ‘Black Jock’, was the bailie of Kildrummy and a close associate of John Erskine, the Earl of Mar. Erskine led the Jacobites against the British Government forces at Sherriffmuir in November 1715, having planned the campaign at Kildrummy Castle and raised the Jacobite standard at Braemar Castle ...' from: https://aberdeenvoice.com/2015/08/community-marks-jacobite-bridge-tercentenary/ See also: https://bit.ly/2KqrzRL (12) Right along A944 main road (57.19782; -3.08048) https://w3w.co/runways.encourage.forwarded In 200 m, or so, from the bridge, go right along the A944 main road. Take care and make sure you are facing oncoming traffic. (5.3 km) (13) Left up path by Strathdon School (57.19972; -3.07944) https://w3w.co/blast.nerd.stability In 200 m, just before the Strathdon School building, cross the road with care and follow the path uphill into the wood, with the school wall close on your right side.