Cairn of Claise and Carn an Tuirc
Sunday August 15th turned out to be a real summer’s day. 32 members took the hills above Glen Shee Ski Centre - shorts were favoured by many - and with light wind it was also warm on the tops. Two groups climbed to Glas Maol, and admired the vistas to the Cairngorms and the Perthshire hills. Their route was then across the plateau to Cairn of Claise, and Carn an Tuirc. A third group took a more leisurely approach directly to Carn an Tuirc, where they met up with others coming from the south. We also walked over to Coire Loch Kander, one of the grandest corries in the area, before descending to Loch Callater and continuing down the glen to meet the coach. We had visited three Munros and felt we had made good use of one of the best days of the year.

Mayar and Dreish
Twenty walkers took the risk of an outing to Glen Doll and Glen Clova on the day of the 2010 football world cup final. All walkers started at the Glen Doll car park: seven took the shorter route up the Shank of Drumfollow and across to the summit of Dreish. The remaining thirteen decided that the longer route was preferred as the clear lower views within Corrie Fee were too good to miss on a day of cloud and so it proved. Climbing out of the corrie, we were soon enveloped in mist and so the view from the summit of Mayar was quite unremarkable except in patches. Picking up the route of the earlier group, it was found that Dreish summit was also clouded. However, as the group dropped off the summit, the cloud cleared and we had super views over Glen Doll and to the North. The Hill of Strone offered a sight of the final destination at the Glen Clova Hotel and so the sprint started for the finish line. The slower walkers also made it and all were suitably refreshed in the bar and the garden.
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Ben MacDui & Carn Crom
Well, some days are better than others, - and our June day for Ben Macdui did not seem promising as we set off from Cults at 7.00am. The cloud was down on the tops as we drove up the Dee Valley, however a glimpse of the top of Lochnagar suggested that things might improve a bit. Ten opted to climb to Carn Crom, behind Derry Lodge as a shorter day, while nineteen took on the big day to the Cairngorm Plateau. We split into two groups, as it would easier for smaller groups to maintain visual contact with each other in the cloud on top. The cloud came and went as we climbed and while the top was very definitely in cloud, with a light drizzle, there were some opportunities to catch a view of the grandeur of the Cairngorm valleys. We came out of the cloud completely as we descended to traverse Carn a ‘Mhaim, and our day ended in pleasant dry conditions with clear views below the cloud base. It was very satisfying to complete the challenge of the long walk, and the weather on the day was a bit better than expected.

Glas Tulaichean
It was mid May, and CHWC were off to the first Munro of the year. It was good to be heading for the high tops again after the winter. The snow was down to a few patches, and it was a glorious spring day. Some headed for the longer circuit via Glen Taitneach, and some opted to go straight for the summit. The visibility on top was superb, and members speculated on the number of other Munros which could be seen from the summit. The count got up to around 40, with some debate on the final number. We then stayed high on the ridge towards Creag Bhreac, taking in the views; then descended steeply through the heather, to take refreshment on the lawn at Dalmuinzie Hotel, in bright sunshine. It was a very civilized end to an enjoyable day.

Airlie Tower to Glen Clova Hotel
A mid April day and, although the forecast was promising, CHWC members were rolling down the A90 in mist. We got off the bus at Dykehead and climbed to the Airlie Tower, into bright sunshine, leaving the mist behind us along Strathmore. The day fulfilled its promise, glorious sunshine and little wind as we walked along the south Glen Clova ridge, admiring the views of the more distant hills. The patches of snow on the higher hills added to the scenic splendour. For this walk we split into two groups: those who wished to press on, and those who preferred a more leisurely pace to admire the views. Those who pressed on had the benefit of some extra time as we relaxed in the sun on the terrace of the Glen Clova Hotel, with glass in hand – a very continental atmosphere - and not bad for April.

Glen Muick to Balmoral
The CHWC outing for March was planned to walk up to the Coyles of Muick and through Glen Girnock, however a prior route survey found that, while the bulbs were pushing up in Aberdeen, it was still deep midwinter in Glen Girnock. Plan B was adopted – a walk across the estate track from Glen Muick to Balmoral. There was still a good covering of snow on the track, and some stretches had deeper snow, which demanded a bit more effort to get through. Weather was generally bright and breezy, with snowy vistas to be taken in all directions. This walk took about 4 hours, and descended to cross the Dee at Crathie, where conditions were comparatively balmy – such that the picnic tables were brought in to use by some members. This was a fairly strenuous but satisfying day, and walkers felt that their refreshment in the Boat Inn at Aboyne was well earned.

Kingston to Fochabers
Following tradition the February outing had been arranged as a coastal walk. This year’s expedition took in the coast from Binn Hill, near Urquhart village in Moray, to the mouth of the Spey at Kingston, then crossing the river on the former railway bridge to follow the Speyside Way to Fochabers. The shorter walk started at Kingston beach. The view to Caithness from Binn Hill was lost in light but steady rain, however the weather improved as the day progressed. Some thought that the pace of the walk also got faster as the day went on; if true this must have been driven by the prospect of lunch, taken on this occasion at the Christie Garden Centre in Fochabers.

Inverbervie to St. Cyrus
The CHWC January walk was scheduled for the Hill of Fare, however a recce visit a couple of days beforehand found that the snow was generally knee deep (and soft) on the top. It was decided to head for the coast, and 45 members took advantage of clear dry weather to walk from Inverbervie to St Cyrus. This was a gentle but very enjoyable introduction to the New Year, - accompanied by the rumble of the shingle, and the calls of numerous curlews. The day was completed with further satisfaction by refreshment in the St Cyrus Hotel.

Geallaig Hill
Geallaig Hill was chosen for the December Walk for CHWC. The day was still and bright, but with a crisp white frost, and impressive ice crystals. Lochnagar had a snow covering to the south, as had Ben Avon to the west, so we had superb panoramas from the top. The walk started in Glen Gairn, with a shorter option from Braenaloin. Both parties met at the summit and followed the high ground west to Creag a Chlamain, to take in the views of Balmoral and the Dee Valley. It was a good winter day, - well worth the early start from Cults on a cold dark morning.

Hill of Wirren
The November walk was scheduled as a winter walk to Hill of Wirren, - approx 9 miles for the longer walk and approx 7 miles for the shorter walk. After some wet and windy weather during the week beforehand the day turned out to be still with hardly a breath of wind, and a few blinks of sunshine. There was however still a cap of cloud on the tops of the Angus hills. A compass bearing was required to ensure we took the right direction off Hill of Wirren towards the track to East Wirren. We soon dropped out of the cloud and enjoyed the views over the Mearns, towards the Montrose Basin, with the Fife coast showing in the distance. It was a good November day.

Ladder Hills
The objective of the October walk was to cross the watershed from Donside to Speyside, ie from Glen Nochty to Glenlivet. The day proved to be windy, as forecast, but walkers were favoured by the shelter of the trees as far as the ford across the burn at Duffdefiance. From here those on the longer walk climbed to Carn Mor, the Corbett which is the highest point of the Ladder Hills. A brief clear spell gave a sample of the views on offer, with the Moray Firth showing blue in the distance, however the view was quickly shut off as some cloud rolled in from the North, delivering wind driven rain. A rapid descent was made to Glenlivet, where the party took the opportunity en route to visit the restored Old College of Scalan. Those on the shorter walk took the route over the pass to Glenlivet, which was more direct but received a similar delivery of rain. The view a the end of the day was “ good walk - but would have been improved by better weather!”

An Socach
The MWIS Mountain Weather Forecast proved to be accurate again on Sunday 13th September. Having left Aberdeen in low cloud and drizzle, CHWC members climbed steeply into the bright sunshine on An Socach from Baddoch, off the A 93. The hills to the east of Glen Clunie remained shrouded in cloud for much of the day, however on our (west) side the weather was unusually idyllic. After lunch some members were spotted lying on their backs in the heather in very relaxed mode. Those who wished a more brisk walk went the full length of An Socach to the westerly Munro summit, while others were content to take in the extensive views from the easterly top. A friendly debate took place to identify the mountains to be seen in the very clear visibility. Following the descent back to Baddoch we proceeded to the Inver Hotel; it was generally agreed that we had been very fortunate in our day’s experience.

Cairn Bannoch and Broad Cairn
The 16th August turned out to be a day of crystal clear visibility and a fresh wind for CHWC’s walk to the Munros west of Loch Muick. One group went for both Cairn Bannoch and Broad Cairn, and set out with a determined pace towards the Dubh Loch. The crossing of the Dubh Loch burn demanded some sprightly steps before the group climbed to Cairn Bannoch and then stayed high over the windy plateau to Broad Cairn. The second group took a more leisurely but direct approach towards Corrie Chash and Broad Cairn, with morning coffee by Loch Muick at Glas-allt Shiel. The afternoon produced several brilliant rainbows, but no rain. With the clear visibility, and sunny periods, it was a great day on the hill.

Ben Earb
CHWC members left Aberdeen in steady rain and headed to Spittal of Glenshee to begin the walk. It was decided to walk to Glenlochsie Lodge and then review the plan for the day according to the weather. The weather did improve a bit and waterproof layers were cast, convincing most walkers to go for the hill. Others decided to make a low level circuit back to Spittal of Glenshee via the west side of the valley. On the tops the cloud partially cleared, and walkers were rewarded with good views to the south towards Glen Fearnach. However - the rain returned later during the descent from Ben Earb summit and spurred progress to the comfort of the Spittal of Glenshee Hotel.
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Ben Avon
The 2009 Long Walk took place to Ben Avon on Sunday 14th. Ten people went on the 35km walk to the summit, and enjoyed clear weather when they got there. Eight people did a shorter walk along the Quoich and Gairn valleys, also with good weather for much of the day, and a bit of extra challenge to cross the numerous burns which were running high from the hills.
The day was voted a success by all who participated, however it perhaps did not appeal to a wide audience.

Lochnagar from Ballochbuie
Sunday 21st May began overcast but without the heavy rain of the past two days. The weather continued to improve and, apart from a morning shower, those who started walking from Invercauld with CHWC had a great day, with sun and excellent visibility. The group walked together as far as the Garbh Allt Falls, which were an impressive sight after the rain. Some members took the high route, over Carn an Sagairt Beag and the Stuic, to Lochnagar, and some took a lower route, at first through the pine trees, then climbing to take in the views to Ben Avon and Ben a Bhuird, with lunch in the sunshine by the burn at Gelder Shiel. The groups were reunited at Spital of Glenmuick and set off, by bus, for refreshment at the Boat Inn Aboyne.

Mt Battock
We left the bus at Millden in Glen Esk, except the five who stayed on, to cross back over the Cairn O Mount and do a circular walk from Glendye to Clachnaben. Spring had arrived. Cock pheasants, with resplendent scarlet wattles, periodically exploded in self promoting outbursts! Further up, the call of the curlew and the wheeling flight and plaintive call of the displaying peewits seemed more restrained. We followed the road by the burn of Turret, and as we gained height the vista towards upper Glen Esk opened out – we could clearly see the bluff of Craig Maskeldie which we had traversed a year previously on the Falls of Damff walk. The higher party continued to the summit of Mount Battock, enjoying more distant views to the north, while the rest crossed over some trackless moor to the head of Glen Dye which we followed to the bus. All 37 walkers arrived back about the same time, ready for some welcome real ale and an animated chat at the Feughside Inn.

Ben Rinnes to Ballindalloch
The traverse of Ben Rinnes offered options of 10, 8 or 6miles, the latter starting from Glenlivet village and following the Tomintoul spur of the Speyside Way. On the day all 42 walkers opted to climb Ben Rinnes itself, with 17 starting with Meikle Conval by way of a warm up! Both hills have good paths up them, especially Ben Rinnes, the popular path up having been extensively renovated. The descent off Meikle Conval to “Glack Harnes” proved surprisingly steep, while the descent west off Ben Rinnes was mostly trackless, as few venture down this side of the hill. Good visibility ensured that the passage of this broad slightly twisting shoulder, past Cairn Mulganich, was uneventful and lower down we joined the Speyside Way. Even here a small ford required a sprightly step, before the last section on the B9008 road to the welcoming fire and pleasant environment of the Delnashaugh Hotel (real ale available in bottles only!)

Coastal Troup Head
To ensure a good display of birds we had considered moving the coastal walk past the RSPB reserve at Troup Head to early summer, but even this early in the season there were many Gannets on the cliffs and smoothly gliding Fulmars to take our attention. Having been well warned about barbed wire fences, some of our 48 walkers retreated to the RSPB car park and followed a gentler route by farm tracks and a minor road while the majority kept closer to the coast. Here the ground was rougher, but the effort was compensated by views over rugged cliffs, sightings of basking seals, and more distantly to hills still covered by snow which, earlier in the week had threatened our walk. When we did have to cross fences, the “boy scout” preparation ensured trousers were protected! Our path led past Crovie Head, overlooking Gamrie Bay down through Crovie & Gardenstown & on to the ruined Church of St John the Evangelist, built in 1513, which apparently celebrates an even earlier event, the defeat of the Danes here in 1004. A short drive took us to the Fisherie Country Centre at Crudie, by Turriff where an excellent meal ( but no real ale!!) was enjoyed by all.

Bennachie
A stiff climb up Millstone Hill was rewarded with a rest to savour fine views over Aberdeenshire, and to note the path ahead leading on to Mither Tap. On this vantage point the main party stopped again to take in distant views, but not for too long on the bright but bitingly cold day. Most of the 46 walkers who enjoyed the traverse of Bennachie from Donview to Auchleven, took in all the tops, while a small group missed out Millstone Hill, opting for the more gentle alternative via the Birks Burn. We all passed over Watch Craig, joined the Gordon way for a short stretch, before wending by some little used paths via Lickleyhead Castle to Auchleven (Premnay) where a warm fire and fine real ales were enjoyed in the Hunter’s Moon.