O.S. Triangulation Pillar - Goyle Hill, Aberdeenshire.
Posted by: 
creg-ny-baa
N 56° 55.674 W 002° 31.263
30V E 529151 N 6309462
Ordnance Survey trig pillar, constructed in 1950, on a heathery summit above Drumtochty Forest in the eastern Grampians.
Waymark Code: WMYYG1
Location: Northern Scotland, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 08/11/2018
Views: 0
Goyle Hill is is a 464 metre height north of Strathfinella and Drumtochty Glen in the southern part of Aberdeenshire. It is typical of the lower eastern Grampians as a rolling, flattish summit of peat and heather, however it is one of the highest points east of the B974 Cairn o' Mount road. The pillar is in good condition and sits just above the treeline of Drumtochty Forest. On a clear day there are views north and west to the higher Grampians.
STEEPNESS: The snaking track through the forest all the way to the pillar does not take a direct route, but keeps the steepness to a minimum.
TERRAIN: The forestry track from Drumtochty makes for an easy ascent. It is muddy in places higher up, but it climbs within a few yards of the pillar.
ACCESSIBILITY: The narrow minor road that heads eastwards from the B974 through Strathfinella gains access to a Forestry Commission car park at North Drumtochty. From here the pillar can be reached along the forestry track. It is a mile and a half as the crow flies, but around double that on the track. It is possible to reach from the top of the Cairn o'Mount nearly two miles from the west, but despite the high starting point, the terrain is trackless and extremely demanding.
NAVIGATION: The track eases the difficulty in navigating, but a map is required due to many junctions and forks en-route. The pillar does not come into view until the last two hundred yards. In thick mist, it lies around thirty feet almost straight ahead across peaty ground from the tracks end.
DANGER: None other than taking the wrong route into the maze of forest tracks.