A wee wander on Ben Rinnes. Slowly, slowly. “Blessed are the path makers “

Ben Rinnes ; 841 m (2,759 ft) · 512 m (1,680 ft) · Corbett, Marilyn.

Elevation: 841 m (2,759 ft)

Parent range: Grampian Mountains

I went to visit my old friend Wendy who is in a home in Elgin. She is a lovely old soul but missing company and very lonely. Despite that we have a laugh and it’s hard to leave her. The forecast looked good so I decided to try a wander up my nearest hill after my visit. The hill was my local Corbett Ben Rinnes a lovely wee Mountain with great views of the Cairngorms and the Moray Firth.

Ben Rinnes.

The drive from Elgin through whisky country was stunning. The sun was out and the distilleries in the Glen with the clear smoke going straight up on the hill. Arriving at the wee car park there were a few cars in the car park. After my wee head op I took my time coughing a bit but enjoying the sun and the views. Despite the sun I was warmly dressed. I could hear the sound of guns shooting in the other Glen’s there was a lot of noise for a short while “Sport”

I met the “Friends of Ben Rinnes” hard at work on the well worn path. I recognised one as my friend Ella from the Moray MountaineeringClub hard at work clearing the ditches for the run off water. We had a wee chat and I thanked them for their efforts. At the bottom of the hill is a wee collection box to help them with their work on the gate. You can also join there Facebook page and support them. Thank you for all you do to keep our wee hill so clean and tidy.

Friends of Ben Rinnes .

I wandered on meeting a few descending most folk had dogs a few running chasing the few white hares. Most dogs were well behaved but you can see how some go missing on the big hills. There is some great advice about taking your dog on the mountains. Especially as winter is coming.

The granite tors.

On the last pull up I headed for the stunning granite tors and then onto the summit. The views were good but there seemed a bit of cloud on the Cairngorms. There was a lot of burning going on below us the waft of burnt Heather and the smoke filling the Glen seemed to hit you now and again.

I did not hang about it was bitter on the summit and headed to pay my respects at the aircraft crash site on the dark side of the mountain. It’s not far from the summit and though there is not much wreckage left but it’s a good feature to navigate too. Ben Rinnes was the scene of a terrible plane crash on 14th November 1943.
A Wellington Bomber HF746 of No20 Operational Training Unit, based at Lossiemouth, crashed into Ben Rinnes whilst on a navigational exercise. Both the crew were killed.

Grid reference on crash on Ben Rinnes.

I sat here at the wreckage had a few moments it was cold and there was a few white hares about. It’s my Mums anniversary yesterday and I thought about her as well, what a lady she was so kind and a great mother. I was blessed in a place like that to have many good memories. My Mum loved the mountains as well and I felt her with me.

The wreckage.

It was so cold so I still had not eaten so I traversed onto the main path and met the path makers again still at it. We had another chat I left them and ate my lunch in the sun. The hill was quite now and my new boots a bit sore so I wandered down to the car. The weather was lovely. It was an easy journey back but what a lovely wander. My body is a a bit stiff and feet sore but the boots are in the boot stretcher now hopefully that will sort them.

It was great to have a wee wander after all the health problems recently. Just to be out to sit and see the mountains in a good day is better than any pills.

If you climb Ben Rinnes there is a wee collection box on the gate next to the start of the path.

The three bucketeers thanks.

About The Friends of Ben Rinnes

The Friends of Ben Rinnes is a registered charity (No SC 034370) which works to care for the paths and environment of Ben Rinnes and to promote responsible enjoyment of the hill by walkers. Its members are all volunteers who share these aims and who wish to support them.

The increasing popularity of the hill with walkers of all abilities has resulted in major erosion and widening of the existing paths, particularly on the upper slopes. Worst affected is the most popular route to the summit leading from the car park at Glack Harnes on the Edinvillie to Glen Rinnes road over Roy’s Hill and up the north eastern ridge. The resultant scarring on the summit cone is unsightly, unpleasant under foot and, worst of all, damaging to the fragile environment. Please donate if you park this will help with the upkeep of the path.

Great views

Thank you: as always comments welcome .