The Buck from Elrick

Rough parking area with Clayhooter Hill beyond

West of Inverurie, the farm of Elrick lies approximately 10 miles south of Dufftown and Huntly, just off a junction on the A941. Here, a narrow road follows the course of the Burn of Craig.

Close to where the road turns eastwards, a farm track heads south-east past a chevron side on a tight corner, behind which there is space to park a vehicle or two on rough ground.

Grouse-butts by the end of the track

From the parking area, aim back up the road towards Elrick. After about 100 metres, by an old wooden post, a faint track cuts westward through thick heather - follow this.

The track meets some dilapidated grouse butts before fading into the heather . Continue south-west, navigating over heather and avoiding damp, mossy patches, until you gradually meet the remnants of an old fence line .

Beside the fence line, a faint path emerges and becomes more distinct as it travels uphill. Along the way, I encountered a curious stone resembling a mile-marker, inscribed with a 'G'.

Looking south from the summit towards Kebbuck Knowe

Looking south from the summit towards Kebbuck Knowe

Looking back to the summit from the col between The Buck and Kebbuck Knowe

The most straightforward return is to retrace your steps. However, given that the summit is reached in just over 2km, a more rewarding option is to traverse a circuit of the tops surrounding the Burn of Buck.

From The Buck's summit, initially follow a brief section of an old dyke, then head south along faint a faint path aside remnants of a fence line, partially hidden in the heather. The terrain is, for the most part, a pleasure to hike, with low heather giving way to small lochans and peat hags.

Aim for the top of Kebbuck Knowe , where a fence line crosses with a gate near the summit. Pass through the gate and turn north-east, tracing a faint path alongside a maintained fence. The path quickly disappears, but persist, and as you approach Scad Hill, an ATV track emerges, winding through peat hags.

At a fork in the ATV track, take the left-hand route, which gradually becomes more defined as it turns around Scad Hill and descends towards Craigenscore Hill.

Over the next kilometre or so, the track veers eastward before reaching a faint junction marked by a small cairn of white stones . The more-worn route heads east, but instead, take the fainter tracks leading north-east.

Stone marker and ruins of Silverford farm

Stone marker and ruins of Silverford farm