Walk: A litter-free approach to the Bin of Cullen

Moray | Cullen | Half day walk | ★★★

[View towards Cullen from the summit]

It'd be easy to make to make a throwaway disparaging comment about a hill with a name like Bin of Cullen, but the truth is that this hill's prominence amongst pancake-flat surroundings makes it one of Moray's best viewpoints, overlooking the firth of the same name and (on a clear day) Ben Wyvis beyond, 101 km distant. Ben Rinnes and the Cairngorms crown the views southwards. Crisp packets and other rubbish on our visit spoilt the sections where this route joins the "tourist" route; fortunately 80% of this circuit is little trodden. The contours gathering around the Glen Burn look enticing on OS maps and deliver, with valley sides gradually narrowing while the track remains pleasantly level. This is a hill walk though, and on this one the ascent all comes at the last minute, although optional zig-zags ease the pain. Maps promise a choice of tracks for the return route: in reality, most are overgrown so a detour north towards Moss Hill Plantation is wise.

[The track along Glen Burn provides a pleasant approach to the hill's base]

📌 Walk: A litter-free approach to the Bin of Cullen ★★★
Start / finish at car park at Cullen House, minor road end 1 mi south of Cullen, G.R.: NJ 509664 ///option.charts.heaven

▶ 13 km / 8 mi | ▲ 420 m | ⌚ Half a day | ⬤ Moderate
Features: Glen Burn; △ Bin of Cullen (320 m, sub-2000')
Terrain: Tracks throughout, steep near summit. Briefly muddy after Cullen House.

Route & map

Car park - Cullen House & bridge - pond at G.R.: NJ 507658 - follow north side of Glen Burn to Badentarget Plantation - Bin of Cullen - return to bealach between Bin of Cullen & Little Bin - High View Plantation - Moss Hill Plantation - Foulford Bridge - Cullen House - start


Route credit: Scotland Off the Beaten Track

On our visit

Wildlife: A few birds but generally quiet.
Weather: Blue skies with light winds and a beautiful sunset, temperatures in single figures.

[Buckie with Spey Bay and the Moray Firth beyond]

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