2008  December  November  October  September  August  July  June  May  April  March  February  January

Pressendye
It was nothing like the weather on previous recce trips – only a week before our pre Christmas walk we had cloudless skies on crisp virgin snow which sometimes bore weight and sometimes didn’t and only 2 months before, we had vivid autumn colours. However we did not have to face the incessant rain of the previous day and 39 uncomplaining walkers voluntarily split 19 – 20 to take the shorter or slightly longer routes from Cushnie to Tarland over Pressendye. Soon both parties had climbed crocodile style into the mist, the lower group opting not to take in the final summit cone – and both groups opting to miss out the short detour to the large cairn at Pittenderich where one would normally have superb views over the Howe of Cromar to Morven, Lochnagar, Mount Keen and Clochnaben. Instead we traipsed through the mist and wet snow to re-gain views on lower paths, taking time to detour round the grounds of Alastrean House, stopping on route to investigate a piece of modern technology – a small pump enabling cattle to draw up water from the ditch - reminding us of our own quest to sup real ale from Fraserburgh supplied by the new landlord at the Aberdeen Arms Hotel.

Cairn Leuchan & Pannanich Hill
The shorter walk set off at a steady plod up the Land Rover track from Bridge of Muick, while the faster walkers committed to a stiffer pace up the path to Cairn Hillock, having left the bus near Aultonrea in Glen Muick. This resulted in both groups completing the climbing early in the day and able to amble along the track between Cairn Leuchan & Pannanich Hill, enjoying views of Lochnagar and Mount Keen & more distant snow capped Cairngorms beyond the Coyles. The clear weather held for the descent over the slabs & heather of Pannanich, with superb views to Lochs Kinord and Davan nestling below Morven, and down the Dee valley, while the Eastern horizon included Pressendye & Bennachie - our next two walks! Well satisfied, we crossed the Dee by the footbridge at Cambus of May, ready for the final stop at the Boat Inn Aboyne where some excellent real ale and a range of other beverages quenched the thirst of all 44 present.

Carn Ealasaid
We had several new faces amongst the 36 walkers who set out from Corgarff Castle car park. Our initial plan for a through walk from Tomintoul was changed for 2 circular walks. 24 took the road to the south side of the upper Don valley, past Delnadamph, and thence via a good Land Rover track well up the slopes of Craig Veann, with its trig point, and on to Carn Ealasaid, marked by a very small cairn. The rest took the route north of the river passing by an unidentified ruin at Dunanfiew before heading up the open moor, effectively short circuiting the ascent to Carn Ealasaid. Despite a bracing wind, we had great views in all directions; Ben Avon & Beinn a Bhuird to the south, the defile of Loch Avon deep in the Cairngorms to the west, Cromdale Hills & Ben Rinnes to the North, and on our descent of the NE shoulder, the stark whiteness of Corgarff castle encouraged us down to the welcoming Allargue Arms. The bus driver was duly impressed that despite the disparity in walk lengths, we all arrived back within about half an hour!

Sgor Goaith
The September walk, the first of the 2008-09 season, offered the opportunity to walk in a different part of the Cairngorms starting in Glen Feshie south of Aviemore. Despite an indifferent weather forecast, the earlier 07.00 departure was rewarded with a great day’s walking and clear views. The main walk ascended east up the well-worn path to Carn Ban Mor, yielding ever-widening views of the upper Spey Valley. A broad plateau led on to Sgor Goaith where the summit rocks plunge dramatically (about 600m) to Loch Einich and there were clear views of Braeriach beyond. The walk continued north at high level over Sgoran Dubh Mor before a gentle descent along the long shoulder past Clach Mhic Cailein, or The Argyll Stone, and then into the pine forest of Glen Einach, and thence to Loch an Eilein.
Those on the low-level walk had an easy route along Glen Feshie before passing through Rothiemurchus forest tracks, including some erstwhile drove roads, past the ruined island castle and on to the bus at Loch an Eilein. The return journey was broken by a stop in Dufftown where the thirsty members visited the hotel bar and the hungry members succumbed to the fish and chip shop after which they returned to the bus looking guilty but quite content.

Carn Liath & Culardoch
On a recce a few days earlier the purple and greens were highlighted to perfection under the “Butterworth blue” skies, with excellent views to nearby Beinn a Bhuird and Ben Avon. It was too much to hope for a repeat! – but despite an indifferent forecast, and ominously dark clouds most of the 36 walkers had escaped back to the bus before the rain. We all left from Keiloch, 12 detouring to include the a stiffish climb up Carn Liath, on the lookout for ptarmigan, before following the main group up Culardoch. Although dull, we had distant views, including to lonely Loch Builg, before the walk down Glen Fearder, past Auchtavan, with its “hanging lum” and on to the warmth, refreshment and chat at the welcoming Inver Hotel.

Cairnwell to Ben Gulabin
The short July outing over 2 Munros and a Corbett was mere 8 miles, mainly easy walking, but with a few steep bits! The initial route taken from the Glenshee car park to the summit of Cairnwell sought to avoid the worst of the ski-ing related scars but by the summit we had no choice but to use the road. A positive decision was taken to look at the view not at the industrial debris ! On this clear day, excellent views were had of the Cairngorm massif to the north, Ben a Glo to the west and distant Lomond Hills of Fife. We quickly left the man made artefacts as we made our leisurely way past Carn nan Sac to our second Munro, Carn a Gheoidh, from where we made a surprisingly steep ascent to the easy Land Rover track over Carn Mhor and Creagan Bheithe. After a heather siesta the main party bent on Ben Gulabin found a newly created vehicle track leading steeply to near the summit, from where we enjoyed clear views up Gleann Taitneach, where, a couple of years back we had seen Golden Eagles and down Glen Shee towards the comfort of the Spittal with its excellent rock cakes (and ale!) and our bus.

Cairn Toul & Sgor Mor
Four intrepids rushed off from Linn of Dee to tackle the NE ridge of Angel’s Peak & return via Cairn Toul without causing too much delay for others choosing less strenuous outings. We all took the same route past Derry Lodge and on towards Lairig Ghru, where some doubled back over Sgor Mor & Sgor Dubh, others took the low level option via White Bridge, having first called in at Corrour bothy while the remaining 10 set up the steep path to the top of Coire Odhar. After taking photographs of our newest members, we split again – with some taking the path to Devils’ Point while the rest headed up the bouldery ridges to the summit of Cairn Toul. We think we glimpsed our intrepid four scrambling up the steep ridge beyond, but unfortunately the dscending mist blocked our view until shortly after leaving the summit. The descent was marked by fabulous views, a bright rainbow over Corrour bothy, and a brisk walk out the oh so familiar track down Glen Derry. The shorter walkers had had an indulgingly leisurely day, returning to the bus only an hour before us while the “tigers” returned with tales of exhilarating challenges & “derring –do” only half an hour later. The day catered for a wide range of abilities and aspirations, and the animated buzz during the short interlude at the Inver hotel testified to a very satisfying day.

Paradise Woods to Monymusk
Our short foray into the delightful Paradise Woods amounted to little more than a taster before we had to retrace our steps through the kissing gate and on to the main part of the walk, by the River Don winding its way through flowers & fields to Monymusk. The animated chat along the way may have distracted some of the 28 strollers from noticing the song of the Wren or Sedge Warbler, but some took time to savour - and photograph - the views towards the Bennachie on this glorious summer evening. The meal after at Grant Arms was excellent and even though the walk was short, the real ale was appreciated!

35 lucky souls enjoyed clear open skies for the walk(s) from Glen Esk to Glen Tanar. The “main” walk was over Mount Keen, passing by the Queen’s Well on the ascent & descending by Braid Cairn & Gathering Cairn – with some opting to return via Clachan Yell rather than the easier Landrover tracks. The shorter option was via the Firmounth – starting from Tarfside. Well established Landrover tracks eased our passage over the watershed – stopping to examine St Colm’s Well – well marked on the O.S. map – but identified only by a stone, which, when moved, revealed our apparent compulsion to put money in wells! It was carefully replaced, and our attention was soon diverted to more natural phenomena – tadpoles in the nearby ditch. The nature study continued as we descended into Glen Tanar, sighting flitting birds on the moor and later probing into the depths of some older pines. Near the car park we watched the local pony trekkers crossing the river before making for the bus – happily to discover that our longer walking colleagues had covered the ground quickly, so we had only a brief wait before quenching our thirst at the Boat Inn Aboyne.

Rounding the corner beyond Loch Lee we first properly saw the near vertical cliffs of Craig Maskeldie which obscure the delightful valley beyond – running from the Falls of Unich to the Falls of Damff – all surprisingly scenic features of upper Glen Esk. Maybe the dire weather forecast – which failed to materialise - influenced the unexpectedly high number of late call offs, but the 36 walkers who set out from Invermark all agreed they had an excellent day. 7 prospective “tigers” set off fast, keeping their options open on whether to complete the “longer walk”, returning via Wester Skulley and Cairn Caidloch, despite warnings from the chairman that 2 days previously his recce involved trudging through tedious snow on the last section. The rest set off at more leisurely pace, taking time to check the ruined church beside Loch Lee, before heading up where we saw the faster walkers in the distance, their tracks in the snow duly helping our progress. T ime was taken to appreciate the superb views of snow topped hills including Mount Keen& Lochnagar and to gaze down on Loch Lee & winding Glen Esk – before heading down the snowy Land Rover track on the Shank of Inchgrundle. At the bus we found the “tigers” had opted for the same route but just got there earlier – and were changed ready for welcome refreshment at the Ramsay Arms, Fettercairn.

Thirty five walkers set out from Cults on 16 March in unpromising weather which improved by the time we reached Braemar. Twenty of us walked from Inverey over the Morrone before descending to Braemar, enjoying sensational all-round views of the snow-covered Munros and not at all put off by a chilly easterly wind and occasional light snow showers. Patchy snow cover underfoot was not enough to hinder progress. A smaller group started from Linn of Dee for a low level walk in easier conditions to Braemar via Mar Lodge and the Morrone Birkwood reserve, and six heroes marched up Glen Ey to Sgorr Mor before a high level boulevard back over the Morrone to Braemar. All three groups arrived back in Braemar in good time to enjoy the delights of the local hostelries and tea shops before the return to Aberdeen. A successful club day catering for all walking preferences.
Return to top of page

We were again blessed by clear calm weather for the annual coastal walk – this time from Portknockie to Portsoy – with the “shorter” walkers leaving the bus at Cullen. Those thinking coastal walks are flat had some pleasant surprises, including a steep descent near Bow Fiddle Rock to inspect the cave there, and a stiff little ascent round Logie Head where the view opened out to the ruined Findlater Castle. Some had time to take a short architectural tour round Sandend before crossing the wide beach and on to the section of the well marked coastal path. The meal at the Station Hotel was thoroughly enjoyed by the 48 walkers.

Outstanding views characterised this walk, starting with the Queen’s View over the Howe of Cromar to Morven, Lochnagar & Mount Keen. From the top of Craiglich we could also see the Buck, Tap o’ Noth , Bennachie and the lower Dee valley beyond the lower “bowl of Lumphanan” – and our route across to Mortlich. Once there the views were over Aboyne and its golf course and the encircling hills. The January weather stayed kind, wind free, clear, and only a little hazy – some paths retaining ice, but snow now limited to the higher distant hills. Another club first, 47 walkers enjoyed the short, tortuous, sometimes off path stroll, avoiding dense forest and deep heather, but sufficiently invigorating to generate a thirst satisfied by the excellent ale in the Boat Inn.