The day started brightly, a clifftop wander, raucous colony out at Shitten Craig and Bow Fiddle. I stay at the upper level, wandering through the whins to look out over the golf course and surging surf of Cullen Bay. I turn for home, the way marked by the buttery yellow of the yeldrick, perched on the golden gorse, and yammering of his love of bread, sans fromage. Farewell seabirds and hello songbirds, to see me home
Having had a distant view of the silhouetted Bin of Cullen, the hill had drawn my eye on the homeward trip from Troup Head. From the cliffs above the golf course the Bin owned the skyline. If you've ever wondered how to access what looks a promising viewpoint, pondered over the route to take, then the place to go is always Walk Highlands. Whether you're in Drumclog or Portnockie, or virtually anywhere else, there will be walks for you on that brilliant website. And not just walks, full directions, guidance, maps, and so much more. Over the years they've made it even easier, with an app for your phone. Download your walk and off you go, safe in the knowledge that even when your phone signal lets you down, the route is already saved.
And so it was with the Bin of Cullen. Two turns off the main road, parking as promised, and off we go. Hardcore paths for softcore walkers. 320m, or 1,049ft for the auld yins, at the summit. Enough to get the muscles warmed and the blood pumping, but no need to pack a picnic.
A smashing walk on a nice day, with cracking views all round.
Magnificent woodlands, with mature Scots pine, tall and straight, brought alive by birdsong. Silver birch, dotted in the margins, with pockets of gorse glowing in the sun. The understorey is ready to burst into life, coppery bracken, bluebells, and as you reach the heights a carpet of heather. At the upper levels you emerge from the trees, and the countryside opens beneath you. From those pines in the lower reaches you find stunted versions succumbing to the wind. And seats, thanks to the local BB.
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