Auchmore Hill

Hill, Mountain in Perthshire

Scotland

Auchmore Hill

Crags of Creag na Criche Eastern crags on Creag na Criche viewed from the north-east. — Crags of Creag na Criche Credit: Scott Cormie

Auchmore Hill is a prominent hill located in Perthshire, Scotland. Situated in the southern part of the county, it lies approximately 10 kilometers north of the town of Crieff. With an elevation of 598 meters (1,962 feet), Auchmore Hill is classified as a Marilyn, making it a popular destination for hillwalkers and outdoor enthusiasts.

The hill boasts a distinctive conical shape, with its summit offering breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. To the north, the impressive Grampian Mountains dominate the horizon, while to the south, the gentle slopes of the Ochil Hills can be admired. On a clear day, it is even possible to catch a glimpse of the distant Trossachs National Park.

The ascent to Auchmore Hill can be undertaken from various directions, with several footpaths and tracks leading to the top. The most popular starting point is from the small village of Muthill, where a well-marked trail guides walkers through fields and woodlands, gradually ascending towards the summit. The hill's relatively easy terrain and well-defined paths make it accessible to both experienced hikers and those new to hillwalking.

Auchmore Hill is home to a diverse range of wildlife, providing a habitat for various bird species, including buzzards and kestrels. The surrounding moorland also supports a variety of plant life, with heather and grasses covering the slopes. The hill's natural beauty and tranquility make it a fantastic location for nature enthusiasts and photographers.

Overall, Auchmore Hill offers a rewarding outdoor experience, combining stunning views, diverse flora and fauna, and a sense of tranquility. Whether exploring its slopes or enjoying the surrounding landscape, visitors will undoubtedly appreciate the natural wonders of this picturesque Perthshire hill.

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Auchmore Hill Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 56.495143/-3.6806987 or Grid Reference NN9634. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Crags of Creag na Criche

Eastern crags on Creag na Criche viewed from the north-east.

Scott Cormie

Track in Little Glenshee

A track between Little Glenshee and Strathbraan.

Alan O'Dowd

Collapsed hut north of Crochan Hill

The hut was still standing in 2007 when this previous photo was taken: NN9534 : Hut above Glen Shee.

Alan O'Dowd

Heather moorland west of Ruhumman

Apart from a few sheep and red deer, this is a very empty grid square.

Alan O'Dowd

Wide-open expanse west of Ruhumman

Apart from a few sheep and red deer, this is a very empty grid square.

Alan O'Dowd

Little Glenshee

The track up the glen from Little Glenshee Farm is flanked by luxuriant green young bracken, and the paler green of ferns. Findowie Hill is on the left.

Anne Burgess

A Curious Structure

What appears to be a cairn is actually a circle of stones with ferns growing inside as well and next to it. The linear puddle is the deeply rutted track, full of water after recent wet weather. Near top right is part of the spoil heap of the largest of the old slate quarries on the south-west side of the glen.

Anne Burgess

Dry Stane Dyke

The dyker has been very clever in his use of pieces of the local rock, which is folded to various extents in this area.

Anne Burgess

Folded Rocks

This outcrop was what we had come to see. It contains a series of folds, clearly visible from a short distance away. This is part of the re-folded downbend of the Tay Nappe, which marks the geological boundary between the Highlands and the Lowlands. NN9734 : A Fold and NN9734 : Another Fold are closer views of two of the folds.

Anne Burgess

A Fold

This is part of the outcrop in NN9734 : Folded Rocks, near the lower, right-hand end. It shows a superb example of spaced cleavage, which is the linear fabric across the fold. This has developed in the rock during metamorphosis under heat and pressure, which has caused the minerals in the rock to realign themselves roughly at right angles to the principal stress. The fold is emphasised by the narrow band of darker material. NN9734 : In the Hinge of a Fold shows the fine detail in the hinge of the fold, where the small ferns are growing in the dark band.

Anne Burgess

In the Hinge of a Fold

This is the hinge of the fold in NN9734 : A Fold. The minerals in the hinge have separated under pressure into more and less resistant layers, which have themselves been folded to produce the crinkled effect. This has then been differentially eroded after exposure so that some of the bands of minerals stand out proud of the rest. Pound coin for scale.

Anne Burgess

Another Fold

This is another of the folds in NN9734 : Folded Rocks. The subvertical lines are the bedding surfaces of the original sedimentary rocks which were metamorphosed to form the outcrop; they would originally have been horizontal. In fact close examination of the detailed structure, too fine to see in a photograph, shows that what were the top surfaces of the original beds are on the left. In other words, these rocks have been tilted beyond the vertical and are now inverted.

Anne Burgess

Ruhumman quarry

Abandoned slate quarry on the hillside, with Little Glenshee farm in the foreground.

James Allan

The southern slopes of Creag na Criche

The remains of Glenshee Quarry are clear in the centre of the picture. There is a lot of new fencing here. It is good to see the stile for walkers; I hope that similar provision is made at other points where one might need to cross a fence. The footpath sign pointing towards the camera leads, by way of a new footbridge, to a small car park.

David Purchase