Hill: Pressendye
Date: 2nd January 2009
Company: Myself and Beinn
Time: 2hrs 45mins

The starting point for this hill is just off the B9119, near Tarland. Turn off at Pett Farm (signposted "The Petts"). I left my car parked at the farm (according to Dempster's Fionas book it is ok to do so).

Starting Point (Pett Farm):


My 1976 vintage Landranger 37 map proved inadequate from the outset. There is now a sizeable forest from Pett Farm up Pressendye, which isn't marked on the 1976 map. There are various small tracks heading into the forest from points along the main track. I decided to stick to the main track as I was in no hurry.

Track Skirting Forest:


There are a couple of metal gates at the point where you change direction from East to North.

Second of two metal gates:


I continued to follow the main track round the outskirts of the forest as far as Burnside of Blackhills before the main track takes you into the forest.

Burnside of Blackhills lochan:


The main track then takes you in a bit of a circuitous route heading back South then West before taking you North again.

Tilhill Forestry gate:


Was nice to eventually reach the edge of the forest and see the track heading up Pressendye.

Track continuing up Pressendye:


Morven from edge of forest:


The track takes you quite close to the summit of a minor top called Pittenderich Cairn. It is a sizeable cairn.

Pittenderich Cairn:


After leaving the forest it was only another 100m or so ascent to reach the summit of Pressendye.

Approaching the summit of Pressendye:


Beinn in the large summit shelter:


While Pressendye isn't that exciting a hill, it certainly provides good views of a number of North-East hills. On a fine sunny day, I think the views would be terrific given the minimal legwork involved.

Pictures of surrounding hills (mainly zoomed):

Tap O'Noth:


Bennachie (inc Mither Tap):


The Buck (O'Cabrach):


Ben Rinnes:


Morven:


Lochnagar:


Mount Keen:


Mount Battock:


A distant Clachnaben: