Auld Darkney [Craig Hill]

Rising above the wild moorland south of Ballater, this rounded Hump offers a quieter alternative to the busy Munros of the eastern Highlands. The terrain is largely heather-clad and typical of the Mounth plateau, providing an expansive sense of isolation and a clear line of sight toward the rugged profile of Lochnagar.

• •The hill carries two distinct names on maps: Auld Darkney is often used for the broader moorland area, while Craig Hill refers to the specific high point, with 'Craig' deriving from the Gaelic 'creag', meaning a rock or cliff.
• •The summit provides an unimpeded perspective of the eastern Mounth, specifically looking southeast toward the distinctive cone of Mount Keen and west toward the steep corries of the Lochnagar massif.
• •A visit here is typically combined with the neighbouring Craig of Haddoch, crossing a landscape predominantly managed as grouse moor where the tracks are well-defined but the peat can be unforgiving after rain.
• •The ascent is a study in shades of brown and purple; if you aren't looking at heather, you are likely looking at a peat hag, or trying to climb out of one.