Logged Visits:

6th Sep 2024  14:07  by peebs

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Damaged  Score: 5/10

A bovine experience

©peebs

26th Aug 2024  09:23  by Cambustay

FB Number: S5700  Condition: Damaged  Score: 6/10

***Beware of cows and unmarked electric fences*** Walked up from Laurencekirk, up Frain Drive then straight through Johnston Mains farm. Soon after the farm steading and crossroads I entered the first field of cows - very timid and moved well away as I entered. In this field I passed the farmer who wished me a good day, this reassured me that any further cattle would also be alright (how I was wrong!!). After getting through the first cow field there are two farm gates close together, one unhelpfully covered in barbed wire. Then into the second cow field, as I entered the large group started moving with haste towards me - slightly spooked I briskly walked for the unbarbed fence into the next field (same one as TP). To me it didn't look electric, no black boxes, no clicking, no warning signs. Safe to say I got quite the fright when I grabbed it. Not a big shock but enough to make you jump - however I deemed this a preferred fate to being flattened by the cows. After making it into the same field as the TP all was well. I didn't climb up the steps in the tower due to hearing numerous nesting birds. On my way back, I had to go back into the second, more roudy cow field. At first I went to the gate, there the cows stood gaurd and would not budge. Every time I approached the edge they'd be right up at the fence next to me. After a while of wandering the perimeter I eventually mustered up the courage at the closest point possible to the gate back down to the farm, jumped the completely unmarked electric fence again then whilst waving my arms gently, walked for the gate which I got through just in time before the cows caught up. There were no young cows which perplexed me to their anger as the track up to the TP goes straight through their field so I assumed they would be used to walkers?? Please be aware.

14th Mar 2023  11:45  by RoccosAdventures

FB Number: S5700  Condition: Damaged  Score: 10/10

Great being right next to the tower - trigpoint has a fair amount of damage - great views and great trek up.

23rd Dec 2022  15:09  by Katrinaandrea89

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Not Logged  Score: 5/10

31st Dec 2021  13:00  by Mickandkim

Gridref: NO 72600 69100   FB Number: S5700  Condition: Damaged  Score: 6/10

Parked at viewing area CP then over gate Good views on way there thick mist on way back Nice walk to Tower

10th Nov 2021  14:52  by nozzer

Gridref: NO 72666 69186   FB Number: S5700  Condition: Slightly damaged  Score: 7/10

17th Sep 2021  13:30  by DanTrig

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Damaged  Score: 7/10

Parked at viewpoint car park and went through the large fields of cows to get to the trig and tower. Easily climbing the field gates all the way. Cows seemed docile enough even though one did moo at me as I walked past. Cows in field with trig not bothered and a long way off but had to walk through the same cows on the way back. Not a hill for people who are afraid of cows!

Trig and Tower ©DanTrig

3rd May 2021  13:50  by B.bird

FB Number: S5700  Condition: Damaged  Score: 6/10

An easy trig to get to if you can navigate the excess of barbed wire (I managed to catch my new jacket on it)

24th Oct 2019  11:58  by jonglew

Gridref: NO 72665 69189   FB Number: S5700  Condition: Damaged  Score: 6/10

From the NE, large parking area at NO 7391 7062. Pillar has some substantial damage to the top edges and corners, most have broken away. An original centre cap is retained, raised lettering; all sight holes open. Extensive panoramic views.

Pillar TP4135©jonglew
Spider TP4135©jonglew
Flush Bracket TP4135©jonglew

20th Oct 2018  00:00  by caroleengel

Gridref: NO 72663 69181   FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Damaged  Score: 5/10

Cows docile enough - walk slowly and they just stare

2nd Jul 2018  13:32  by vgiorgio

Gridref: NO 72663 69186   FB Number: S5700  Condition: Damaged  Score: 5/10

28th Mar 2018  13:35  by Sandrax2

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Slightly damaged  Score: 8/10

©Sandrax2
©Sandrax2

25th Jun 2017  06:45  by scotti

Gridref: NO 72675 69190   FB Number: S5700  Condition: Damaged  Score: 6/10

Marilyn No.8. From the picnic area on the B9120 and south-west through the fields. Pillar visible beside the tower from a long way off. Big chunk out of the top corner.

Looking north
Trig and tower

12th Feb 2017  00:00  by Sprog

FB Number: S5700  Condition: Damaged  Score: 6/10

31st Aug 2016  13:30  by Sealf4

FB Number: S5700  Condition: Damaged  Score: 7/10

Ignored the sign saying find another route between April and November due to grazing cattle. Given that the cattle are in all the fields including the one at the TP this would have been difficult. Most of them ignored me but I gave them a wide berth until the group at the TP and tower. They ambled off and regrouped around the masts but then got bored whilst I explored around. They ran back past me then turned and the whole lot surrounded me... a bit scary but I clapped my hands and in my deepest voice shouted "GO ON". They ran on, turned again and regrouped around the gate, blocking my exit. I descended to the corner of the field than headed back to the picnic area where I had left my bike. I was rather glad to get back to it! Went onto Laurencekirk TP, much shorter to reach but had nettles to deal with instead of cattle!

18th Jul 2016  17:00  by ger

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Not Logged  Score: 5/10

21st Jun 2016  13:41  by NormanW

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Damaged  Score: 5/10

19th Feb 2016  11:30  by krafty

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Not Logged  Score: 5/10

started off dry and windy, turned to sleet and wind picked up to 29mph. went up to activate the trig point and the summit. the trig point was for the Worked All Britain amateur radio award and the summit was for the SOTA amateur radio award

25th Sep 2015  13:10  by Wubbleyew

FB Number: S5700  Condition: Damaged  Score: 8/10

Ran the gauntlet of the frisky young cows (well, actually walked slowly and talked to them in soothing tones - it worked!) in three separate fields, before reaching the safety of the trig & tower. No more apparent damage to the pillar since recent reports. Cap in place with raised lettering, & all four sight-holes open.

2nd Feb 2015  11:37  by krafty

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Good  Score: 7/10

Couldn't check the plate as it was covered in snow, went up the monument, it would be good views but due to blizzard that came in visibility was right down. Be aware if going up monument, a couple of steps broken near the top,and some of them are in the dark

2nd Dec 2014  13:12  by Robert Phillips

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Damaged  Score: 5/10

20th Sep 2014  15:08  by coinea

Gridref: NO 72664 61976   FB Number: S5700  Condition: Damaged  Score: 7/10

Dwarfed by the tower!

S5700 Johnston Hill.

20th Sep 2014  15:07  by clochandighter

Gridref: NO 72662 69180   FB Number: S5700  Condition: Damaged  Score: 8/10

Second visit. For photographs and GPS measurement. SITE VISIT: Approached from northeast. Free parking provided at Hill of Garvock Picnic area off B9120 at NO739706. Direct route to top of hill following fenc elines and ridge but not much of a path on the ground. Open grazing top, dominated by Tower of Johnston. Pillar damaged with large chip off one apex, otherwise good. Spider has replacement OS centre cap with raised large narrow letters. Flush bracket faces northwest, ~328°. All sight holes open, innards filled with debris. 360° panoramic view possible but not from one position on the ground due to the bulk of neighbouring tower. A full 360° panorama can be enjoyed from the top of the tower for those prepared to brave the missing steps.

S5700 - Johnston Hill & GRP
S5700 - Johnston Hill pillar & FB

31st May 2014  08:30  by Sandman

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Damaged  Score: 4/10

Survived the cows, climbed the tower, still breathing

Show a leg ©Sandman

27th Dec 2011  15:02  by ProSpec

Gridref: NO 72663 69189   FB Number: S5700  Condition: Damaged  Score: 5/10

Walked across from picnic site. Top of pillar has taken a bit of a beating.

Johnston Hill pillar looking towards Laurencekirk

6th Sep 2011  10:45  by stonestreaker

FB Number: S5700  Condition: Slightly damaged  Score: 5/10

Had to take a wide path around big herd of cows, out of their sight downhill of them and come up to the tower 'from the other side'. Glad of the sanctuary of the bouldery cairn and tower...now how to get away...

18th Jun 2011  07:41  by Aye Jimmy

Gridref: NO 72663 69181   FB Number: S5700  Condition: Damaged  Score: 6/10

Lots of problems with large and seemingly aggressive herds of cattle and calves in getting to this one. Interesting tower and spiral stairway. Also called Hill of Garvock.

Johnston Hill TP and Johnston Tower
Johnston Hill Trig with chunk missing.
Johnston Hill Location and OS cap.
Johnston Tower Inside the tower; mind the missing steps!

2nd Jun 2010  15:32  by g4wsb

FB Number: S5700  Condition: Damaged  Score: 5/10

Electric wire every where.

©g4wsb
©g4wsb
©g4wsb
©g4wsb

26th Aug 2007  15:19  by Fester

FB Number: S5700  Condition: Slightly damaged  Score: 6/10

Large chunk missing from top corner.We were "charged" by a large herd of cows believe it or not on the way over from the picnic site.Had nowhere to run to so stood our ground and challenged them to a fight.This made them think again.They had another go at us on the way back..! Might be a consideration for anyone taking young kids up this route. Good views over the Howe of the Mearns and the Eastern Cairngorms

Trig

5th Jan 2007  14:25  by marcusjclifford

Gridref: NO 72664 69178   FB Number: S5700  Condition: Slightly damaged  Score: 7/10

Stonework in reasonable condition, metalwork in good condition (can be seen in photos). Nice easy 2.2KM walk from carpark at roadside viewpoint, right beside Tower of Johnston.

Trig point pillar General Photo of the the trig point pillar (showing minor damage to the stone)
Benchmark Identifier The benchmark identifier (S5700)
Metalwork on top of pillar The metalwork on top of the pillar (in excellent condition) - I wiped off a little moss growing on one leg
Pillar and Johnston Tower The pillar dwarfed by Johnston tower, do not try to ascend the tower as the stone steps have crumbled and are very dangerous.

17th Apr 2006  12:00  by peregrinus

FB Number: S5700  Condition: Damaged  Score: 7/10

Metal cap, wide raised letters, largeish chunk missing from top corner of trig but metal work intact. Tower built on ancient cairn by trig, fine view, seems quite a popular walk along ridge from picnic site to NE. Last trig of a 115-pillar week.

15th Sep 2003  12:00  by iainmac

FB Number: S5700  Condition: Damaged  Score: 6/10

S5700
S5700

8th Aug 2003  13:55  by arranc

Gridref: NO 72600 69200   FB Number: S5700  Condition: Damaged  Score: 8/10

23rd Dec 2001  12:00  by peregrinus

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Not Logged  Score: 6/10

tower built on ancient cairn by TP - pleasant hill, wide view

21st Sep 2001  14:43  by fasgadh

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Damaged  Score: 6/10

Marilyn famed for the tower and the enjoyable scrambly staircase. No views today

5th May 2000  11:38  by Chalky

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Not Logged  Score: 5/10

2nd Jun 1999  17:46  by clochandighter

FB Number: S5700  Condition: Damaged  Score: 7/10

First visit. To record FB number. HISTORY: Pillar completed 3rd August 1949 costing £18.10s.7d. Computed as secondary triangulation station NO89/19 within the Aberdeen block during 1950. Levelled for height in 1952. Last maintained by the OS in August 1973. SITE VISIT: Often hilltops with attractions other than the trig pillar have more visitors flocking to them. Sadly, as is often the case, the lowlife amongst them vandalise the trig pillar. S5700 has a massive chunk missing from one top corner, probably as a result of having one of the many nearby boulders repeatedly smashed against it. Amazingly at the time of my visit, the spider still retained its raised font OS centre plug. Flush bracket faces northwest. The other attaction? Tower of Johnston with its dangerously crumbling spiral staircase. Photographed 2/06/1999, GRP.

S5700 - Johnston Hill Tower of Johnston, TP + FB.