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Lecht Mine & Scalan Seminary Loop
Fri, 24 June 2022 @ 16:00 - 21:00
Seven-mile hilly loop taking in the historic Lecht Mine and wonderful Scalan Seminary buildings.
Starting at the Lecht Mine Car Park, we will walk a loop visiting the Lecht Mine before climbing the shoulder of Carn Dulack and crossing to the summit of Tom Trumper. From here, we will descend through the Crofts of Scalan to the Seminary. After a look around the grounds and a bite to eat, we will head south through the Clash of Scalan, once again crossing Carn Dulack and descending back towards our starting point.
The Lecht Mine was originally opened by the York Buildings Company of London as an iron ore mine in 1730 and has an interesting history. While the secluded building of Scalan (from the Gaelic sgalan, meaning turf roof) was once a seminary (a college for training priests) and was one of the few places in Scotland where the Catholic faith was kept alive during the troubled times of the 18th century.
This is an excellent opportunity to experience two historic sites in one walk, crossing typical north-east Scotland hill and moorland territory and getting a taste of what it was like to live in the Braes of Glenlivet in the not too distant past. There is also a good chance that we might see some moorland birds and deer.
The walk will be on a mix of rough track and heather moorland, involve some fairly steep climbs and take us into the remote, exposed country. Please be prepared with appropriate clothing and plenty of food and water.