A favourite area of mine for the days when you want to stroll up only the lower hills of Deeside, when the views of farmland and distant slightly higher hills are completely satisfying, when the mix of different terrain is so pleasing, when you can enjoy the regenerating pines among the heather before the views vanish from the forest - this hidden place, split between Ballogie and Finzean estates, is a gem and highly recommended!

And maybe December is the best possible month, with those minimum hours of daylight, with the possibility of stormy weather, and with, of course, the wonderful Finzean tearoom ideally situated for that celebratory Xmas lunch!

As always, I look back on the year with pleasure, and want to thank everyone who takes the time and trouble (and finds space in their overcrowded calendars) to accompany me on these walks. It's been a lot of fun!

A cold day to begin, with black ice on the road making it an adventurous approach for those coming across the Cairn o'Mount...

Twelve hardy souls set off from the Clatterin' Brig car park on this short circular walk to built up our appetites for the Xmas fare. A clear day as we ascended, so some lovely views of the mist in the valleys below. Now, on the recce we encountered a variety of interesting bird life - red kite, red legged partridge and goldcrest were the highlights. On the actual walk - one buzzard, one possible red kite, a couple of grouse and 2 red legged partridges, one dead - which was promptly eaten by Jeb and Vicki's dog Ozzie!

We were on track all the way except at the very top of Hound Hillock where we veered off into the heather briefly to find the Guide's Well (more a small hidden stream than anything you would think off as a 'well') and the trig point at the summit, where a took a brief stop for a snack. The burns en route were swollen but easy to cross and after passing the legendary Shank of Cardowan we scaled the deer fence near the King's Deer Park with customary CHC elegance. Sadly, by noon low cloud shrouded the hills, our views were lost and the descent was pleasant but lacked visual stimulation - on the recce the russet colours in the valley were quite gorgeous. Hey ho...

So thanks to the Clattterin' Brig for doing us proud, and thanks to all walkers and drivers for a lovely winter walk.

For those driving home over the Cairn o'Mount, nature had one more surprise - dense fog, which with no white lines on the road made for an eventful trip back to Aberdeen!

The eleven Saunterers stood at the summit of Goyle Hill gazing into the mist with anticipation perhaps because the view for some time had been curtailed by the ever present forest pressing in over the last kilometre or perhaps hopeful that the clagg would thin or better still give them the satisfaction of having climbed into sunshine. None of these things happened. At the top of the hill the gray vista was ever present not improved by the derelict remains of a long dismantled deer fence but standing clear of the peat and heather was the trig point, the day's destination.

There's something very satisfying reaching a trig point even if its not at the top of a hill, hopefully it's proof that your navigation has been correct if your route taken has corresponded correctly with what's on the map. It's being somewhere significant after all as not all hills have trig points and not all trig points are on hills. Some walkers may be unaware of the significance and hurry on to the next top not stopping to consider the effort to place these pillars, the elegance of their design and why they're there. Whatever, the Saunterers used this one, complete with all its brass-wear as a convenient surface for their coffee cups!

Not that the walk up to the top of Goyle Hill had been all that challenging, although quite steep in places. For most of the way the track is well made and frequently used, by the looks of it, the forest road carried us past tall, majestic Douglas Firs, or they might have been Grand Firs as both grow as both grow tall and straight and can be identified from their needles but hereabouts the needles were out of sight above our heads. Easier to identify were Scots Pines and Sitka Spruce both regenerating wherever their seeds find open ground. Sitka, in particular grows so readily from seed, multiplying and spreading all over the landscape environmentalists have concerns about the unchecked proliferation of this alien species.

Beside the path as we approached the car park there is a small lochan, now no longer much bigger than a large puddle but in the past this was a mill pond the mill long gone but the rushing stream remains. Drumtochty Castle is the principal building here now, the car park a respectful distance away from its neo-gothic presence and from those using it as a wedding venue. During Second World War it was bought and used by the Norwegian government as a school to ensure that children who had escaped from occupied Norway were able to continue their education.

Once back in the car park our thoughts turned to Xmas lunch at Clatterin' Brig and once all the walkers were eventually assembled an excellent meal was had by all. Many thanks to David for organising this.

Some hills suit swirling mists, and carn a' Bhacain in late autumn is one. Its rounded brown heathery summit was magically hidden from us as we climbed track and heather to its top. The gradual lifting as we continued west, aided by fence, past old peatland restoration (working - we had a lot of bog & pool skipping to get past) and a final climb to the unnamed Pt 642 with its old bothy shelter.

The views north to the Lecht and The Buck, and south towards the Gairn and further to Lochnagar were illuminated by glancing sunlight against stunning clouds. An impressive number of raptors above the road, an equally impressive number of pheasants looking to continue long lives! A walk with ideal conditions - we were very lucky.

Our group of 14 met at the Corgarff Castle Car Park (NJ254089) at 09:20 on Sunday 2nd November 2025.

The weather started cool, cloudy and dry with a moderate southerly breeze. We set off at 09:35 to tackle the route clockwise, passing Corgarff Castle then SW uphill on good track, taking the left-hand fork for a few metres to a turning circle. From there, we followed a rough ATV track SW uphill, over rough moorland and deep peat hags and noted several parked diggers presumably involved with ongoing peat restoration work. The wind was picking up so we sought shelter in one of the peat hags for a refreshment break.

We continued uphill on a narrow path to a fence and gate just below the summit of Brown Cow Hill (Corbett, 823m). After a brief stop at a cairn, we continued to the featureless summit then headed W, following the fence line, over the 829m top and on to the summit of Cairn Sawvie (820m). From there we had good views to the hills in the N and E, including Ben Rinnes but cloud obscured the top of Ben Avon to the W and Lochnagar and Mount Keen to the S. We saw a couple of mountain hares, already developing their Winter coats and also disturbed a few Red Grouse.

Our route continued to follow the fence NW on a boggy track to the rocky summit of Meikle Geal Charn (802m) with 2 cairns. We found a sheltered spot just off the summit and stopped for another refreshment break. The weather changed and rain set in so we cut our break short and headed NW along the fence to Little Geal Charn then continued N. We stopped briefly to allow a small group to cross the fence and visit the Well of Don just downhill from the ridge while the rest of our group continued uphill to the summit of Cairn Culchavie (726m) where we re-grouped.

The weather had now cleared and we were rewarded with a double rainbow and fine views back over Ben Avon and N along the River Avon. We headed E away from the fence across short heather to join a track curving down the shoulder over Carn Leitir na Cloiche. Eventually we joined the main track near a small reservoir in the glen of Meoir Veannaich, and continued to the junction and locked bothy at Inchmore. From there, we followed the main track to reach the car park at 15:20 and finished with refreshments at Goodbrand and Ross nearby.

This was a fine walk with views into the Cairngorms, covering 18 km, 575m of ascent and a time of 5 hrs 45 mins, including breaks. Many thanks to the drivers and everyone for great company.

A fine late autumn morning saw 13 Saunterers gather at Inver on a day that had Deeside ablaze with seasonal colour but with a cool breeze that prompted us to move off up the road to Thistledae; as house names go it makes a change from 'Dunroamin' or 'Emahroo'.

The minor road alongside the burn, fully refreshed after the summer drought adds interest to this part of the walk as does the small cairn raised to celebrate Queen Elizabeth's golden jubilee and a tree planted to mark the platinum in 2022. Further up the glen the pink house, formerly the church is up for sale, the notice reinforcing the feeling of emptiness and depopulation that this lovely place is infused with. Certainly it wasn't quiet with 13 Saunterers chatting away.

Around the next bend in the track Balnoe is passed another fine cottage well maintained with modern outbuildings but empty perhaps awaiting occupiers at Christmas time. It's the last habitable building in this area as we pass into the fields and over the bridge to find a convenient sunny spot for a coffee stop; not the usual coffee stop, on this occasion portions of Malc & Susie's golden wedding cake were handed round. It must have been enjoyed as an empty box was taken home.

Suitably fortified the ascent into the birch wood was easily accomplished with a stop to admire a red admiral butterfly warming itself in the sunshine. The Saunterers were warming up as well the earlier cool breeze no longer evident showing how sheltered Glen Feardar is allowing the trees to hold their leaves for another week or two. The view across the glen to the wooded slopes of Creag na Spaine now showed just where the golden larch plantations met the evergreen Scots pine. Beyond Lochnagar clung onto its clagg for the time being.

Saunters usually have a stream or two to ford, this time just the one, the burn only slightly in spate but enough to prompt decision making, "do I take a chance on the slippery looking stepping stones, or do I risk wading in and have the water overtopping my boots?" Each to their own and if they got it wrong there would be another chance on the way back! We were still on the outward leg of the walk, most of the uphill behind us and as we progress more and more evidence of long past habitation appears on the hillside, only the stones remain but the buildings may have had turf walls below a thatched roof. Also hereabouts a small kiln is just recognisable amongst a heap of stones not for lime but to dry grain, oats and bere before it was taken down the hill to the horse-mill.

This is our destination, Auchtavan, the horse-mill and cruck cottage restored in 2008 by Braemar Community Ltd. The cottage is locked but the barn next the horse-mill is open to shelter us set with stout table and benches, its relative cosiness welcome as rain showers were making their way towards us on the freshening wind.

We waited for the rain to pass but we lacked the enthusiasm for a long wait and off we went; luckily the rain wasn't very enthusiastic either and as the afternoon wore on the weather improved and the colours came back to the moor and birch woods with the sunshine. That stream was carefully negotiated again and down into the trees on the well used track, kept clear of vegetation by the Invercauld estate vehicles. Less clear was our track up the hill as the rank heather pushed in on all sides but, as usual it was worth the effort for the excellent views of Lochnagar looking all of its 1,155 metres. From this northerly viewpoint the summit is pointy and the foothills seem to fall away emphasising the hill's lofty status.

Onwards and downwards back into the forest, predominately birch but here and there old pine trees, their gnarliness showing their age just saplings when Auchtavan was a thriving community. Also doing well was a good variety of mushrooms, perhaps the renewed dampness had encouraged them to sprout beside the path that wound down the hillside through the lovely birch wood on a rarely used grassy track.

The fields we'd passed early in the Saunter were stocked with sheep quietly standing about browsing and keeping the grass short. It was a surprise then, as we neared the farmyard of Tullochcoy to meet a flock of sheep briskly trotting along away from the fields. Here was the shepherd mounted on his quad bike as was his sheepdog driving his flock in front of us and up the hill. He manoeuvred away from the sheeps' direction of travel and came up to us and spoke in a friendly way commenting on the weather and such like and said we weren't the only folk he'd had on the hillside recently. His other visitor had been King Charles and his retinue of detectives who had come to forage for chanterelles. Perhaps it's not surprising then, that we didn't see a single chanterelle anywhere on our walk.

With that thought in mind we made our way back to the cars.

Although not a high hill (744m), this lengthy circular route does require a degree of stamina. It varies from very pleasant Cateran Way track to considerable tarmac to narrow path to offpath and, of course, bog….but clean bog, wet not muddy. And more holes to fall in.

Auchintaple Loch has never looked lovelier in the sun and mist, and the heat of the final ascent was quite something too, but the views at the top were truly spectacular. Yes we saw Ben Nevis. Although, as usual, the amazing indicator panel was out by a number of degrees.

A walk thru interesting varied scenery. My thanks to drivers Andy, Geoff and Jeb.

Storm Amy, Saturday 4th October 2026, the day before the Culter Hillwalking October Sunday Walk. Yellow Wind Warnings, and what proved to be the lowest ever measured air pressure (at an official weather station) for the month of October, 947.9 mb!! With a storm like that forecast to hang around the coast of Norway it would take nerves of steel to NOT to postpone or modify the planned walk up the Hill of Glansie, in Glenlethnot. Walk coordinator, Sandra Steel, lived up to her name and after a bit of a buffeting driving south on the A90, then threading our way through fallen twigs and vegetation of the never ending, but nicely resurfaced, road of Glen Lethnot, fifteen walkers, and Ozzy the dog, arrived at the spacious car park just past the pink walled shooting lodge of Hunthill Lodge.

The glen must have had a funnelling effect as standing, never mind balancing during a change-into-boots exercise, was taxing in the particularly blustery wind that was whipping some spray off the tumbling Water of Saughs. The only sensible action to take was to have a sip of coffee in the cars, and hope the forecast of decreasing wind happened quickly, very quickly! It didn’t, but the coffee was invigorating, so off we all set off crossing a ditch which contained all the prostrate wheelie bins and scattered rubbish of the adjacent farm, Waterhead.

The farm track that offered some margins for wind-induced stumbling, was soon left behind for an OS50,000 footpath heading up to a bealach east of Mount Sned 621m. The path, in its prime a century past at least, looked like it had been a pony or cart track, but now it was overgrown with moorland vegetation, and the continued stumbling was into now into the more hazardous heather. Walking poles were a great asset. Though the gusty wind continued some breaks in the cloud appeared and shone brightly on the green pastures down from whence we had come. Below us on our right was the clear line of the Burn of Glansie, whilst ahead the path levelled off to the bealach. Despite the exposure of the bealach, it was clearly discernible that the wind speed and gustiness had decreased, a welcome change. From there a stock fence made a steepish ascent but acted as a useful navigation tool. A mountain hare, still in summer attire, took off along the fence at good speed, with Ozzy the dog straining on the lead and vocally showing some interest. At a triple point of fences was reached, amid some extensive and very bare peat hags, where a fence crossing was required to put us on a new westerly fence bearing to finally reach Mount Sned 621m. At this elevation and with sparkling visibility views were opening up to the southeast, out to Montrose Basin and beyond and to the south, Glen Ogle.

It was communally agreed a refreshment break would be welcome, and a very comfortable sheltered spot amongst the peat hags just down from Mount Sned was perfect. Following the watershed roughly westward we came onto a grouse estate track, and the not-uncommon Angus Glens shooting estate scenario of a fence either side of the watershed/estate boundary and two parallel vehicle tracks alongside the fences. But nature provided better, with some lenticular clouds developing on the crest of the wave-like northwesterly airflow triggered by the mountains. On the track we spotted a small yellow beetle, later identified as a common sexton beetle, renowned for bury dead birds and insects and then feeding and breeding off them! Looking skyward as we ascended Hill of Glansie 726m, an eagle glided not only into view, but circled several times literally overhead at a relatively low altitude. We couldn’t quite see the “whites of its eyes” but it was close overhead. Without a flap of its wings, just using the air currents, it glided away and was last seen in the near distance, interacting with a red kite.

Hill of Glansie’s altitude gave us even better views with Hill of Wirren very prominent and the triangular summit of Mount Keen to the north. Walking off Glansie was still easy on track, veering round the watershed of the Burn of Glansie to the less significant summit of Ru.ragh, our highest point of the day at 735m. Descent from there took us to a recently refurbished fairly large, three-walled grouse shooters/beaters lunch spot with wooden benches, perfect for another refreshment stop. From this stop it was a gentle and pleasant walk gradually downhill to the unremarkable Hill of Berran. More significant, but easily missed, was the craggy cliffs of rather nicely formed Corrie na Berran, a sudden reminder ,after many miles of heather clad rounded hills, of the glacial history of these hills. Further descent took us pas an ugly and very rennet mobile phone mast and back to the cars.

There was plenty of time to drive to Sinclair’s Larder in Edzell for a well-earned good cup of tea and cake before they shut at 5.00pm.

Thanks to the drivers, and thanks to Sandra Steel for keeping her nerves and guiding us on a perfect 14.5km walk for the day.

The Culter Hillwalking Club “Special Event” of “An Introduction to Bothy Nights”, postponed twice, finally took place during the penultimate week of September. Previously a WhatsApp conference call and the ubiquitous spreadsheet had ensured each of the five participating members knew what to carry in order to avoid a situation of hauling five first-aid kits, five stoves etc up the hill. On the day a rendezvous was made in Ballater for a good, calorie loaded pub lunch. We dallied longer than expected, desserts being the culprit and we were 30 minutes behind the very loose schedule on departing for the car park at Spittal of Muick.

Booted up (and James had a brand new, bright blue pair for the occasion), notes left in the car windscreens, and with final adjustments made, we headed due east from the Visitors Centre up the glen of the Allt Darrarie. The path immediately took us through a former settlement, a place to stop for refreshment from the 15th century on the busy road Capel Mounth heading south to Glen Clova. A little further upstream the glen narrowed but with a well-trodden path, indeed we were soon to meet a descending Balmoral Estate stalker, with ghillie, client, two ponies and one ten-year-old stag that was destined for the larder. The hunting entourage was happy to stop for an informal chat.

A bridge was reached, with the gradient becoming a bit steeper, wirh all of us burdened with full back packs of about 12-15Kg (or more?) but careful navigation up the correct tributary of the Allt Darrarie put us through some peat hags and onto the bleak watershed with the Waters of Mark, ultimately flowing into the North Esk. The remote Shielin of Mark was soon spotted, and a descending beeline was made for it. The 4.5km and 270m of ascent from the parked cars had taken us two hours, arriving in plenty of time before the 7:15pm sunset.

As expected, the Bothy had two sets of two bunks and a single sleeping bench, all with plasticised cloth covered one- inch foam mattress, a moveable bench seat, a small table and chair, and a fireplace, all well maintained and clean. With only two small windows it was dark inside so the night-light candles were soon brought into play, particularly as there were “feature” wall candle holders to be utilised. Using the kindling, logs, peat and coal each one of us had backpacked up, a warming fire was soon alight. James had meanwhile set up his tent on soft grass next to the burn, fully exposed to any flash flood, which in his mind was highly unlikely.

As dusk approached a variety of “dinners” were prepared with one stove providing hot water in Graham’s camping kettle for hot drinks and to put life into some freeze-dried camping meals. No-one had planned to conjure up a gastronomic delight from raw ingredients. Previous residents had left tins of baked beans, corned beef and even a few cans of beer, but apart from the latter they remained untouched for future visitors. Jo lost her drinking mug amongst all the stuff that had emerged from out packs, and searching high and low, we could not find it. (It was found the next day on the hillside where we had stopped for refreshments).

The evening entertainment was provided through Gillie's pack of cards, with some players obviously more experienced than others. After many games and sometimes unexpected results it was found that there were cards missing from the pack!

Feeling comfortable and warm with the fire having done a good job, around 10pm we hit the sack, James heading outside to the tent where the babbling burn soon lulled him to sleep.

We all awake around 7am as the dawn rose in the east silhouetting the triangular summit of Mount Keen. The night had been quiet, little wind, no rain, relatively warm, no dew , no midges and no flash-flood allowing all to have had a reasonable sleep. Remarkably the embers of the fire were still glowing red, so a bit of kindling and another log soon had a blaze going for a bothy breakfast, tea, coffee, and various cereals, again no Michelin Chef bason, eggs beans etc. Gillie and Jo need to be back home for a certain time, so we all efficiently repacked out packs, now minus coal and food, but now including some empty gas cylinders that previous visitors had left and minor bits of rubbish. A final sweep and tidy up left the Bothy in slightly better shape then it was on arrival, the door shut tightly, and James Nick Graham set off, with packs, on a wander northward over undulating heath, and peat hags at around 700m before summiting the oft-visited Fasheilach 721m. Though not of any great altitude the views, in sunshine with developing cumulus clouds across to Lochnagar, was impressive.

The onward, generally descending roue, allowed us to take advantage of a vehicle track, which helped Nick who had taken both a front pack and back pack but found the former hid his feet and handicapped walking on rough terrain. Packs off briefly we ascended the minor, probably rarely visited hillock of Cul Nan Gad, also labelled The Cairns at a mere 505m. Its flat top contained a small area of large jumbled boulders, perhaps the remnants of a granite torr, offering some playful scrambling and bouldering. Returning to the packs it was then strictly descent on vehicle track then tarmac public road back t the parked cars.

All agreed it had been a fun Bothy Night, (helped considerably by favourable weather) and thoughts were directed to “which bothy next year”. Who knows?

That Scottish weather I wrote about last month - now it decided to be horrendously wild wet and windy up the valley, so, with my usual sense of self preservation, off we went to the wonderful Glen Tanar. Although some may feel it has been done to death, we still managed a lovely walk on my top balcony track, peace and quiet among the high pines, and a dampish track stomp past Clachan Yell for an easy climb to the summit tor.

The weather then caught up with us, and a hasty exit was made downhill as fast as we could manage among the deep heather, boulders and major pits awaiting us. However, we all staggered safely back on to the track for the swift retreat to the cars and The Bothy, Ballater. Well-deserved scones!

The September Walk of the two Munros Driesh and Mayar was not to be, postponed by adverse weather forecasts of cloud shrouded summits, wind and intermittent rain. Eight optimistic walkers met at the start point in Glen Prosen Lodge but quickly decided upon the foul weather alternative, an A to B walk the “Airlie Monument Ridge” to Glenprosen village. After a little time for the strategic placement of cars at start and finish, the walk started at the Scott, Wilson Memorial, erected in 2012 (and recently cleaned) to commemorate the planning at Dr Edward Wislon’s then abode nearby, of the ill-fated South Pole expedition from which, having reached the Pole to find Amundsen had planted the Norwegian flag, the two never returned.

Our route forward was a little easier than these heroic explorers, heading up through the forest just as a few spots of rain appeared, though fortunately did not last. Out of the trees though, the skies were very grey, visibility was relatively poor, even though the cloud-base was above our heads. The sun cream was not going to be needed today. The towering Airlie Monument was son reached its wet, red stonework looking rather daunting in the poor light conditions. The monument dated back to 1901 and is a memorial to the 9th Earl of Airlie who was killed that year in the Boer war. Here we met three young adults, who had cycled up from Dundee, camped overnight and were attempting to cook an omelette for breakfast. Having found it to windy for such an undertaking they were relocating downhill into the forest for breakfast before cycling back to Dundee (with somewhat of a head wind). They were the only persons we met all day.

The ridge rambles along with Glen Clova to the right (north side) and Glen Prosen to the left, (though views were limited by the murky atmosphere), with minor bumps with spot heights or names, The Goal, Sneck of Corinch, Craigs of Lethnot, Hill of Coutenach 493m, the highest, Sneck of Lapshalloch, Hill of Balbae, Cairn Leith, and Drumwhern, all names of which probably tell a storey. The terrain was open moorland, heather and grouse shooting territory with most of the route on vehicle track or well defined path. At least the grouse butts gave sufficient shelter for us to stop and take in some refreshments out of the wind which, whilst walking, was on our backs and not particularly uncomfortable. Frequent 4G telecoms allowed us to check the weather radar, which showed rain approaching from the southwest, but our location benefiting from a rain shadow effect. But some brief and light rain did get through and with this threat we all donned our waterproofs at one stage or another.

Flora and fauna were absent in this grouse moorland landscape, and if around probably sheltering themselves. A couple of interesting animal scats were investigated, one appeared to contain small pieces of seashell another was identified as from a fox.

At the obvious end of the ridge, we picked up an old track, well-engineered in the past, but now grassed over and suitable only for pedestrians. We took it left with a view across the broad glen of the very meandering Burn of Inchmail. We descended the glen gradually and, though the burn continued onward to join the Waters of Prosen and Glenprosen village, the glen took on the name of Glen Tairie with a farm of the same name on the opposite side. As we eased into Glenprosen village we passed a cottage with a well kept garden, impressively abundant with colour, and right at the end of the walk, another cottage with a small arched bridge that in the old days had led to a mill, now converted into a residence. Here we picked up the cars and headed off down the very deserted Glen Prosen, meeting only one car and seeing only one person out and about.

With the walk being of only 14km and 420m of ascent there was plenty of time to stop for refreshments at Peggy Scott’s, Finavon, the end of a good Autumnal day in the hills.

Twenty-four walkers set off from Ballater carpark on a rather windy day, a day threatening rain as well, a harbinger of autumn perhaps. Most turned up for a 10:00 start, others for a 10:30 start, an individual turned up unannounced and two walkers were on their first Saunter with the club. Three came because the Short Walk had been cancelled. Somebody went to borrow a waterproof having left their own at home, others felt a visit to the toilets was irresistible but soon, like the massed pipe bands in Braemar the day before, we were marching through Ballater.

The first part of the walk follows the route of the Seven Bridges walk and we briskly ticked one off the list before scrambling up the eroded path to gather on the main track above the road. Here with 23 walkers I suggested that we form two groups, a slow group a less slow group; this was a Saunter after all, but the 23 were not impressed. After a minute or two of polite consideration of this idea we moved off as before but within a similar period of time the two groups formed and for the rest of the walk there was, let’s call them, the faster group and slower group.

We soon stopped again at the massive red granite memorial to Sir Allan Russell Mackenzie that looms large and dominates the area giving a good view of the caravan and camping site by the river. Sir Allan 1850-1906, was the 2nd Baronet of Glen Muick and although information about him is hard to find he must have impressed the Ballater folk enough with his financial support to local causes for the ‘come and rest’ seat memorial to be built. We rested long enough for a video to be recorded of 23 of the 24 walkers plus Jura the dog and afterwards set off on the good path that runs parallel to the south Deeside road and followed it to the junction of the GlenMuick road. Here another memorial plaque is set into a cairn with details of the meeting of Queen Victoria and a battalion of the Gordon Highlanders in 1899 before setting off for South Africa where most of them were killed .

Turning out backs on all this history we advanced into the pleasant policies of the Glen Muick estate, where farming and forestry are the main activities in the glen. Here the good track starts its climb, ultimately to Mount Keen the signpost says but today Craig Vallich will be quite far enough as the wind is more noticeable here and carries with it showery rain. Quite a challenge for some in the party. With this in the air refreshment was definitely needed and as the sheltering trees were soon to be behind us a coffee stop was most welcome. Less welcome was the quite steep path that could soon be seen winding its way over the shoulder of Craig Vallich but the advantage of the height gained was the views of the Coyles of Muick to the west and behind us Glen Gairn stretched away into the mist.

The path eventually turns to the east and with the wind now on our backs a final rise in the ground leads us on to the welcome sight of a small wooden shed in the shelter of a rowan tree and any worries about it being locked were dispelled as the door had long been knocked off its hinges and was open to all. By the time the slower group arrived it was all but full but as there’s always room in the bothy everybody found a seat out of the wind and weather, the open door being on the lee side. The relief of settling in was almost palpable as it was notably cooler at 600m, the gathering of almost everybody at lunchtime heightened the sense of achievement having made it so far.

So far and yet the summit of Craig Vallich had not been gained but a short walk after lunch along a diversion in the track and we were there, one in the bag and on to Pannanich Hill about 2 km away along a bendy undulating track, sometimes stony sometimes soft and peaty and as the trig point of Pannanich Hill came closer the coarse granite slabs so typical of this area made stepping up to the the summit easier. Now the wind was a mere zephyr. The view from the top is much more attractive even on a cloudy day than the view of our immediate surroundings with its tangle of fencing, the trig point standing proud on its turf with eroded gravelly paths leading off in several directions. After some debate the correct one is chosen and with a passing nod to the statuette in blue fibreglass of a mountain hare sitting on the wall we descend steeply down now on a good grassy path through the pleasant Pannanich woods only disturbed by ringing phones as HM Government tested its national warning system.

By now the Sunday crowds in Ballater had mostly dispersed, so both groups were confident of finding a space in The Bothy, where's not always space. The fast one had esconsed itself shortly before the slow one arrived. Plenty of space for us all to enjoy its fine fare.

This is a lovely, comparatively easy walk over the eastern tops above Glen Shee. It is just very difficult to maintain momentum, as every single top, more than listed above, requires a stop for admiration and photos. It is really mainly downhill, it doesn't always feel that way, and after a while your sense of dimension collapses….you stare at the reascent - yes there are numerous reascents - and you cannot believe you're only climbing 200m. And the finish on the Cateran Way, enlivened by raptors above, was extremely hot. Very very hot indeed - but you can't complain about heat in Scotland, can you?

My thanks to the drivers, and to everyone for their excellent company.

Calmac got all 19 of us safely to Arran, and from our lodging at the Sleep Huts, Lamlash (the old HF house), various walks were tackled.

Friday evening: a local walk to Dun Fionn, with fantastic views, later views sadly lost to head high bracken on the descent. Seals on solitary rocks a standout feature.

Saturday: 10 of us, carefully guided by Andy of Otters tail, climbed Beinn Nuis, Beinn Tarsuinn and Cir Mhor. Challenging weather (wild wet and windy, cloud v low) meant we had little idea of where we were, but any rock work was made safe and easy by Andy, and the descent to the Saddle stunning as the day improved. Wild water swimming by 2 members - well done, girls…And another large group had a lovely wander through the glens from Lochranza.

Sunday: 4, again guided by Andy of Otters Tail, took the extremely challenging route to Caisteal Abhail via the Witches Step. The amazing photos give some indication. 2 others climbed Caisteal Abhail and Cir Mhor from Sannox, another group tackled Goat Fell and North Goat Fell from Corrie. Another pair climbed Mullach Mor on Holy Island. And I'm sure I heard some brave souls (see wild water above) went swimming in the sea - congratulations!

Monday: mainly off back to Aberdeen, although 4 people did manage a local circuit from Brodick, thru temperate rain forest and visiting the smallest stone circle ever. My apologies for any deeds I've forgotten…

Long walk: Cromdale Ridge

Stepping out the front door(in Aberdeen) in torrential rain was disconcerting, though the forecast was for a marked improvemen. As a coach supported walk most of the thirty four club participants met outside Culter Village Hall at a comfortable hour of 8:30am. By the time the coach picked up members in Banchory the rain had almost ceased and patches of blue sky were advancing from the west. The 40+ seater coach gave a comfortable and relaxing drive to Tomintoul where we stopped for a toilet break, and the donning of boots in dry weather.

The walk day was focused on the Cromdale Ridge and a visit to Speyside. Fifteen Long Walkers were dropped off first at Lynebreck on the Tomintoul to Grantown road in continuing dry conditions. An old vehicle track with some gradient soon leads us to the top of Sgor Gaoith, our fist summit at 628m, obviously a lesser namesake to Sgor Gaoith 1118m near Loch Eanaich, Cairngorms that had been conquered by several of today’s walkers during the recent stay at Glenmore Lodge. Already the higher elevation gave extensive views in good visibility across the flat expanse that lies to the east of Aberneithy Forest. We had overtaken the only person we met the whole day, an elderly gentleman who advised us he “botanising” and thus making progress mech slower than ours.

The well-made vehicle track deteriorated into multiple, peaty, eroding quad-bike trails on the easy ascent to Carn na Cloiche 662m but a convenient very shallow pit (quarry) provided sufficient shelter from the breeze before we reached the second summit. A brief desent and further ascent gained us thirty metres to the summit of Carn Tuairneir, at 692m. A more significant descent put at a relatively new stock fence and a seventy metre ascent to the rounded, scree draped, cairn topped, Creagan a’ Chaise, the highest point on the Cromdale Ridge at 722m. The two-tiered formal Jubilee cairn was built to commemorate Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee of 1887 and an inscribed stone, secured within an alcove of the cairn, indicates this. At this altitude the breeze was a bit nippy, the standard concrete trig point offered no shelter, but the substantial cairn provided a good lee shelter so it was time for a summit celebratory refreshment break. 360 degree views were extensive, with a combination of local knowledge and apps revealing distant Deeside peaks of Mount Keen and Lochnagar, 50km away. Closer to our feet, tother left were views up and down Speyside, and to the right, Strath Avon.

A long ridge of open moorland lay ahead with various minor ups and downs and the continuing stock fence the only navigational decision being which side of the fence was least wet!! On somewhat drier ground a second formal cairn was visited, the Coronation Cairn of King Edward VII erected in 1902. A polished stone of pink granite proved the details but was very hard to read, full script at: https://www.trove.scot/projects-and-activities/852001.

A gentle descent took us to a bealalch at 530 metres from which a gradual ascent to was needed to reach Carn Eachie at 700m, and from there a further kilometre to our final summit Carn a Ghille Chearr (CGC), 710m and another trig point. More extensive views, but distant showers were visible making progress down Speyside from the west. A minor summit, 600 metres away, tempted the majority of walkers on a brief extension of the planned route. On their return it was time to descend off the northern, pathless flank of CGC, heather bashing until the remnants of an old grouse beaters track was found that eventually ended up in cow pastures on the southern flank of the conical hill labelled Woods of Knockfrink. The route through the woods put us briefly on the Speyside Way before crossing the A95 to reach the Advie War Memorial right on schedule at 6:00pm. The ten minutes interval to the arrival of our coach with the Saunters and Short Walkers gave us the opportunity to take a drink, and a bight of our remaining food. 21 km, 700metres ascent and 7 hours of walking with no rain/showers made the conquest of the Cromdale Ridge very sweet.

This was the Club’s bus meet to Strathspey with members all set to participate in three walks all with different routes but all with same intentions: to enjoy the fresh air and exercise, the countryside and all it had to offer and each other’s company. The long walkers gathered by the roadside at Lynmore on the A939 before their traverse of the Cromdale Hills, the short walkers in Grantown for their exploration of Carn Scriob and Beinn Mhor and the Saunterers deposited at a convenient layby on the B970 to start their walk along the Speyside Way to Grantown on Spey.

The first part of the walk is through the Abernethy Forest a huge area of Scots Pine, many part of the Old Caledonian Pine Forest managed by RSPB who have planted more trees in the past but now successful natural regeneration means there is now no need for that and have also allowed dead wood to lie where it fell. In areas where there was insufficient dead wood trees were toppled and explosives used to blast off the tops of trees all to provide dead wood habitats as it was considered that nature wasn’t doing it fast enough.

It was all very quiet as we set off into the forest on good footpaths clearly marked, streams had been bridged and boggy areas surfaced with duck boards for the benefit of the few cyclists that passed us as well as mere walkers. There are short sections of the way on roads but here the paths run parallel to the road until we cross the road and follow the path winding its way to Nethy Bridge leaving the tar until the village is reached. On entering the village we pause to admire the bridge over the Nethy built by Thomas Telford in 1810, the information panels telling us that he built others hereabout all still working hard after 215 years of use now bearing loads that Telford and his engineers could hardly have imagined. Other bridges later in the walk would also be talking points.

The character of the walk changes considerably once we leave the village on the bed of the old railway that used to connect Nethy with the outside world, the line running north to Elgin linking up many of the Speyside distilleries on the way. To the south it accessed lines to Inverness and Glasgow. All that was in the past, the large station building now a private house and the marshalling yard that would have been used for loading timber was now a gravelly area gradually being overgrown. Our path for much of the way ahead was a very pleasant grassy strip as we passed into the verdant valley of the Spey with sheep and cattle grazing.

In Scotland we’re never far from buildings from the distant past and this part is no exception as Castle Roy comes into view. This impressive ruin dates back to the time of William Wallace and Robert the Bruce but little is known about its occupants and history. Its survival is due to the work of local volunteers who formed a trust and have stabilised the structure encouraging visitors to explore and enjoy their heritage.

On the old railway line all the moveable features have long been removed. Bridges over streams were removed leaving the masonry, well finished, handsome granite piers now supporting wooden decking constructed by the Royal Engineers in 1999. The Speyside Way would be a much more difficult undertaking if the bridges had not been replaced and later we pass under a bridge still standing as it carries a track to give access to a riverside property. It too is a masterpiece of civil engineering its attractive sturdyness a tribute to those who designed and built it.

The land we’re passing through hereabouts is Balliefurth Farm. The owners have provided rambler gates to separate walkers and livestock, a device I hadn’t encountered before that consists of two opposing pivoted posts that allows the passage of walkers and cyclists but not animals. Elsewhere we rest on benches perhaps placed by the farm to allow walkers to enjoy the view out to the west sheltered by a fine stand of trembling aspens doing just that in the freshening breeze. Small areas beside the path have been planted with wildflowers to improve habitat and a large sward of blue cornflowers and yellow coreopsis in full bloom takes the breath away with its colourful impact.

Just north of Balliefurth the path dips down close to the river bank and we can see the dark water slip by almost close enough to carry a reflection of the new Cairn Distillery opened in 2025, a Gordon and MacPhail venture on the opposite back just outside Grantown. From our perspective the the dark looming curve of its high wall reminds me of the Half Moon Battery of Edinburgh Castle. If we’re passing the distillery the end of our walk must be close and after a careful crossing of the A95 we approach the old Spey bridge a vital part of the network of old military roads built in 1754 this section supervised by William Caulfeild.

We cross the bridge almost in step, not because we have any military bearing but because disco music is belting out below the bridge but out of sight. We peer over the parapet, none the wiser, maybe it’s better not to know but as we cross the bridge it becomes clear; it’s just three laddies having fun splashing in the water where it’s deep enough to jump in. We descend on a wooden stair to the bank of the river, rest on a bench, quite a feature of this Saunter, benches and move on along first close to a field and then into the alders and birches that shelter the banks. A steep climb up worn steps takes us into Anagach Wood where the military road leads into town giving us plenty of time to enjoy refreshments and nibbles in The Grant Arms.

Fourteen club members made it to Glenmore, thirteen at Glenmore Lodge itself and one staying nearby in their campervan. Staying at the Lodge was excellent, perfectly set up for hillwalkers, very relaxed and comfortable. We all enjoyed the simplicity of eating in the Lodge and convening before and afterwards in the comfortable bar upstairs.

After getting together on Friday evening after various walks on the way to Glenmore we divided into two hillwalking groups for the Saturday – the best weather day. Ten of us tackled a Bynack Mor circuit – out via the Ryvoan track and round to the good track up Bynack Mor itself. We then diverted to visit the Barns of Bynack and then travelled back by going south the The Saddle above Loch Avon and then up to the north shoulder of Cairngorm and along the ridge to the north before dropping down to the carpark at Coire na Ciste where 3 cars had been left via a very early morning shuttle to save the last few kilometers back to the Lodge. At the end of the walk, we were very glad of this so thanks to everyone involved in the shuttle itself.

Meanwhile two club members had set off on an even more ambitious walk from Whitewell down Loch Eanaich, up Sgor Gaoith and along the north ridge over Sgoran Dubh Mor alongside the impressive cliffs, over the Argyll Stone and then back to Whitewell.

The Sunday had more mixed weather but this did not stop some club members going up Sgor Gaoith from Feshiebridge and Beinn Dearg in Perthshire on the way home.

All in all, a fun weekend.

The hills tackled were:
Meall Bhuachaille
Sgor Gaoith starting from Feshiebridge
Sgor Gaoith starting from Whitewell
Bynack More circuit including return via Cairngorm northern ridge
Beinn Dearg

Takeway coffee from the Lecht café, followed by an interesting test of offpath walking, followed by some competent burn crossings, followed by a delightfully easy valley stroll, followed by distinctly more challenging heather & ruts (v grateful for the ruts), followed by some amazing peatland restoration with webbing, followed by summit fever, followed by the final uphill, followed by disappointment - the Lecht café had closed.

Thanks to the drivers Sandra and Andy, and, to repeat myself, to all for coping manfully (?) with the ground. Not the easiest!

9 club members gathered at the Glenmoriston Arms Hotel from Friday 11th to Monday 14th July for the 3rd club weekend of 2025. An additional member stayed locally in a campervan and joined us on the hills for the Saturday.

We hit the hottest weekend of the year to date with temperatures in the glens topping 30 deg. C. The summits were a little cooler with a light breeze and fortunately, the weather remained dry throughout the weekend.

Our group were well looked after at the hotel, enjoying comfortable accommodation, excellent food and a bar well stocked with cold drinks!

We tackled a wide section of Munro's, Corbett's, Graham's, other hills and walks, in the Glenshiel area. Views from the summits were spectacular including the Torridon’s to the north, Skye, Rum and Eigg to the west and Ben Nevis to the south. See below for list of hills and walks achieved by different members:

Munros:

South Glenshiel Ridge:
Druim Shionnach
Aonach air Chrith
Maol Chinn-dearg

Five Sisters of Kintail, including 3 Munros:
Sgurr na Ciste Duibhe
Sgurr no Carnach
Sgurr Fhuaran

Glenquioch:
Sgurr a' Mhaoriach

Sgurr nan Conbhairean Round:
Carn Ghluasaid
Sgurr nan Conbhairean
Sail Chaorainn

Forcan Ridge and The Saddle: Sgurr na Sgine

Corbetts:
Am Bathach
Meall Dubh
Sgurr an Airgid

Grahams:
Meall Fuar-mhonaidh
Glas - bheinn Mhor

Other Hills / Walks:
Sron na Muic from Invermoriston
Great Glen Way to Fort Augustus
Stone Seat – a viewpoint overlooking Loch Ness built in Victorian times for the ‘ladies of the day’ to partake afternoon tea and scones!
Meall Four Mhonaidh walk overlooking Loch Ness
The Invermorriston Bridges

Many thanks to everyone for support and company over the weekend and I'm sure this will be a popular choice for another club weekend in the future!

Long walk: Beinn Bhrotain and Monadh Mor

6 runners and riders met at Linn of Dee. We all saddled up and cycled out to White Bridge and beyond to the main circuit junction where the bikes were abandoned. An 8km e/w saving.

A party of 4 decided to follow the route as advertised and set off North up the bank of the River Dee.

The remaining party of 2 decided that they would start off clockwise with Bein Bhrotain first to see how they progressed: the safety net of an about turn always being available.

The anti-clockwise 4 followed the ever-deteriorating riverside path until we were below Devil's Point and then turned west into Glen Geusachan. This is a very impressive steep sided glen, flanked by the slabby slopes of Beinn Bhrotain to the south and Devil's Point to the North. We followed a poor path beside the burn for most of the way up to Loch nan Stuirteag with some grassy scrambling involved as the path disappeared. The path was poor but it made for much better going than crossing the open ground which was very rough.

We stopped for a brief spot of lunch beside the loch on some relatively flat ground before we made the last major climb towards our first summit. The slope eventually broke over to a more gentle angle and at this point in misty cloud (or was it cloudy mist?) we met our first walkers of the day - the clockwise 2 of our own group. They had decided to keep going and make the full circuit - good for them! The anti-clockwise 4 pushed on for another 1km of easy going to the 1st summit - Monadh Mor. No views available. Onwards to the saddle between the 2 hills where the clouds cleared and we got great views of our approach route up Glen Geusachen and Devil's Point and also the massive Beinn a'Ghlo to the South. Back up across a huge steep boulder field to the 2nd summit of the day of Beinn Bhrotain where we had lunch number 2. Visibility remained good for the remainder of the day. We eased off the summit and made our way to Carn Cloich-mhuilinn (942m) which is apparently an original Munro sadly demoted in 1982.

We picked our way down off the hill, losing and finding the path again, back to the bikes. The group of 4 was glad to scoot on out the 8km to White Bridge and back to the cars at LoD. The clockwise 2 were not far behind.

Weather was kind for the whole day, sometimes breezy but no midges. A spot of rain but nothing sustained. Varying cloud height with occasional bursts of sunshine.

No wildlife to report- at all! Maybe a frog.
2 other (non-Culter) walkers spotted.
Total distance 36 km
Total climb 1470m

Short Walk: Culardoch

Under rather dreich weather ten walkers parked three cars at the very end of the dead-end minor road leading west from the junction at Inver, on the A93. The walked route continued west on various new and old vehicle tracks through pasture and planted woodland to the western slopes of Meall Gorm. On the bealach a refreshment stop was called, with a light breeze hopefully keeping any midges away, and a rather fine view through the trees of Braemar Castle and the flat flood plains of the upper Dee stretching west beyond Braemar.

Over the bealach we were in the broad, open catchment of the Feardar Brun, one of infrequent mention. The well-maintained vehicle track stretched visibly northward going up and down over a couple of the aforementioned burn’s tributaries. Twenty compass degrees to its right the summit of our target hill Culardoch, the source of the Feardar burn, lay hidden in solid cloud. We hung on to the weather forecast of improving conditions.

A huge gravel pit, the supply of repair material for the vehicle track, afforded us some shelter from the nippy northerly wind so there we stopped. A passing group of walkers stopped briefly to check whether we had passed one of their group who had decided to descend early from the nearby Cairn Liath, but we hadn’t. During the brief time in the pit the weather had deteriorated slightly with drizzle in the air, but we pushed on passing another group of descending walkers stopped for lunch. The open nature of this upper part of Glen Feardar with some lower hillsides covered in fairly natural birch woodland and scattered Scots pine and only a few signs of man’s influence, the vehicle track and annoying muirburn patches, created a sense of remoteness beyond actuality (we were only 8km from the parked cars).

A point was reached where we had to leave the vehicle track and take the Corbett bagger’s track up Cullardoch, the summit still shrouded in the now diminishing cloud and but unlikely to be a location to hand around. We slit into two groups, fast and slower, with clear instructions on the route up and over the summit to a rendezvous on the eastern flank below cloud level. As we ascended the cloud cleared to give the fastest of the fast group a breezy but clear view all around. Immediately to our north was Loch Builg, northwest the rift of Glen Gair and immediately beyond it the long ridge of Ben Avon with its tors firmly blanketed in cloud. Further west Beinn a Bhuird. To the south was the impressive northern crags of the lowly Meall Gorm 607m and the beallach at which we had a break earlier in the morning. Using software apps for identification more distant to the south were the Glenshee, the Deeside hills, and the nutty favourites of Beinn Iuthern Mor and Beinnn a Ghlo.

Over the hill and descended out of the cloud we regrouped on a well defined drivers road that probably came from Tomintoul, via glen Gairn and onward south to Invercauld. This proved easy walking and a branch left took us to the abandoned village of Auchtaven - https://www.auchtavan.com/. With picnic tables and information boards regarding the history of the village a stop was made here. The refurbished “Queen Mothers Picnic Cottage” was locked, unlike the open door encountered during the reccy of this route and photos taken at that time are included in this walks option.

It was then an easy stroll through woodland and open pasture back to our cars, 21km and 780m ascent.

On the day Craig Leek didn’t live up to its name as we had a dry day but during the week running up to the Sunday weather forecasts were read with increasing pessimism but in the end yr.no delivered the goods; a mostly dry day with increasing amounts of sunshine. That’s not to say that windscreen wipers didn’t get some exercise or that waterproofs stayed in rucsacs but that was early in the Saunter and by the time the first uphill stretch was passed off they came and the extra layer.

This was an anticlockwise circuit of Craig Leek leaving the quiet car park, past the sawmill and on to Felagie the cottage dazzling white and the roof ripe tomato red and with a car parked outside it was good to see that someone was making use of this building enjoying the simple life. Here the track is ruler straight going on eventually to Inver passing an old plantation of Scots pines on one side of the road and on the other a thick growth of regenerating pines competing with fresh birch saplings and for the daylight.

Our route goes to the left and we leave the pines behind as the ground becomes progressively damper, heather and bog cotton predominate but still the birch saplings stud the moor. A stream is crossed and as the land rises the vegetation changes again as alder and hazel form a leafy grove. A bit further on and we’re in the open in grassy meadows with marsh orchids in flower. The view down to Inver in one direction and across to the craggy hills by Braemar in the other; seems like a good place to have a break and so we do, tea, coffee for some, for others is it a late breakfast or an early lunch? The ruckle o’ stanes and the remains of rotting rafters where we’re sitting is just one of a large number of long abandoned buildings forming a farming settlement that cultivated the pasture in this part of the glen.

The grassy track leads us ever upwards at a steady gradient, easy on the feet and its not long before it levels off and the turning to the top of the hill appears. Here three of our number decide that the rocky top of the hill is not for them; they’ll continue to enjoy making their way through their forest. It’s peat and heather to start with but as the gradient increases and we meet the tumble down wall, here the terrain gets rockier and slabs of the Dalradian limestone begin to appear. This helps to support a different variety of plants, but it isn’t conducive to dry stane dyking if this one next to us is anything to go by. Soon the wall goes its own way as a bare, steep slabby section of the hill has to be negotiated with just enough good footholds to enable a slow, careful progress to be made towards the top of the hill. Here quarzite crops up and has been used to build quite a respectable cairn colonised by a rather tattered, stunted rowan tree. We’re here just long enough to take a photograph or two and then it’s off to find a sheltered spot for lunch out of the cold breeze.

Again, the wall features in our walk as a broken down section gives us access to the sheltered side and provides plenty of flat stones to comfortably sit on, have lunch and enjoy the view southwest towards the upper reaches of the Dee and the Cairngorms just beginning to come out of the clouds. Closer to us the flowers of the rock rose are blooming in profusion, a solitary alpine geranium is nodding in the breeze, and the purple vetch is twining up the grass stalks. This, I thought is what summer in the hills is all about, but we’d stayed long enough and we picked our way carefully back over the rubble of the wall to meet the challenge of the steep slabby bit.

With that out of the way good progress was made with only an occasional stop to enjoy the cheery faces of pansies by the footpath contrasted by the yellow of golden rod. Down a bit further and we’re back on the heather and soon the track is carrying us back into wooded countryside, gates and fences to coral the livestock away from freshly planted trees, a variety of deciduous and pine are growing together perhaps for environmental reasons rather that commercial gain. On we go sometimes Scots pine to the left, sometimes to the right and as the track starts to descend a rather agitated lady on an e mountain bike stops and asks, “where am I, how do I get back to the road?” Bill and I listen to her account of a run “over the hills from Braemar” and pondered what was meant by this and we were soon joined by her husband who was tagging along unaided by an electric motor. They were soon in full flow telling us about their peripatetic lifestyle having rented out their house in Northamptonshire, etc, etc.. To help them on their way we did show them a suggested route back to the car park on the phone.

Catching up with the others who had waited at the turning to Altdourie a moment or two was spent admiring the white horses awaiting their work with the stalkers later in the year and on we went, the familiar road past the rank and file of Invercauld’s innumerable wheelie bins and a glimpse though the trees of the big hoose’s tradesman entrance. There’s enough bends in the tarred road to keep the interest going, a final uphill stretch before the estate houses, strangely quiet come into view before we arrive back in the car park to be reunited with the others.

The well-attended Culter Hillwalking Club June 2025 long weekend to Crianlarich was a huge success with hills and walks summitted between, and sometimes in, windy conditions with squally showers. However the outstanding event was completion by Sandra of all 282 Munros with the ascent of Beinn an Dothaidh (1004m) and Beinn Dorain (1076m). Departing from Bridge of Orchy and accompanied by thirteen co-walkers, several of them “Compleatists” themselves, Sandra forged the way eastward and upward on the path following the burn, Allt Corie an Dothaidh. The forecast weather was of some concern with squally showers predicted on a fresh breeze, slightly disappointing after the previous day had allowed many club members to tackle some hills in glorious blue skies and sunshine on the way to Crianlarich.

The path gained some steepness in Coire an Dothadh, becoming badly eroded and braded/branched requiring a stop for de-layering and some refreshments. On reaching the bealach at 744m the wind took on a chill, but there was sufficient shelter to take a further break, whilst distance views were limited due to atmospheric haze, a hangover from the previous day’s heat and humidity.

The northeastward path from the bealach was less eroded, and at times became hard to find across damp moorland amongst which a frog was observed, but we all finally reached to the most eastward top at 993m of Beinn an Dothaidh where we were greeted by several circling ravens. The eastward views to the upper reaches of Loch/Glen Lyon were tempered by the continuing haze.

An about turn and a brief walk took us to the true Munro summit of 1004m, this time with views particularly to the north across the watery flat lands of Rannoch Moor. Another saunter this time westward and we reached the third summit at 1000m giving us views to the west across Loch Tula and Victoria Bridge. It was thus a heading downward back to the bealach but with grumbling stomachs we stopped short in a sheltered spot for a more substantial refreshment. Here and elsewhere other walkers were excited and jubilant on learning Sandra was on her very last two Munros.

The bealach was crossed and a fresh ascent of the very pronounceable (and thus memorable) Beinn Dorain. Steepish at first the path then became a gradual incline over very minor false summits before the final, the very final summit, cairn came within reach. Sandra’s colleagues formed the traditional arch of walking poles through which she took the final steps on path before scrambling up to the cairn, Munro 282 and the end of a long, long journey (during which she also managed to section hike Lands End to John O’ Groats and onwards to Cape Wrath). The summit weather was favourable, and time was taken to fly the Saltire, that filled out well in the summit breeze, to all to raise a glass (well, plastic version) of bubbly, to take a sip of whisky, and to congratulate Sandra on her achievement. In return Sandra thanked all her colleagues that had walked with her, not just on this day, and allowed her to gain her own self confidence in the hills and overcome a fear of airy, exposed situations. With two good final Munros, great company, and favourable weather for Sandra it was “the best I ever dreamed of”.

Back at the hotel celebrations continued with pre-dinner drinks and a “Compleatist” (aka birthday) cake adorned with candles 2, 8 and 2, and icing a photograph of Sandra on a Munro, long conquered.

Thanks to Malcolm for organising this Long Weekend and for the Crianlarich Hotel staff for being attentive and supportive of our celebrations and needs.

Ajuga, marsh marigold, lesser spearwort, water avens, mountain everlasting, rock rose, dog rose, yellow saxifrage, starry saxifrage, bell heather, cross leaved heath, lousewort, butterwort, sundew, alpine bistort, milkwort, heath bedstraw, heath veronica, tormentil, yarrow, windflower, ladies smock, bush vetch, cow wheat, petty whin, pyrola rotundifolia, thyme, birds foot trefoil, 3 kinds of willow and bog myrtle. All flowering except melancholy thistle.

Oh, and Beinn Bhreac gave us views as the rain blew in, and Poll Bhat was wonderful. But the flowers were fantastic!

Thanks to the drivers Alison Geoff and Andy, and to all for coping manfully (?) with the ground, the weather, and the flower fanciers.

Long Walk: Keilloch to Spittal of Glenmuick via Carn an t-Sagairt Mor, Cairn Bannock and Broad Cairn

11 people alighted from our coach at Keilloch carpark ready for our through walk to Glen Muick via 3 of the White Mounth Munros. After carefully crossing the A93, and going over the Old Invercauld Bridge, we started by making good progress up the track in Ballochbuie forest. Soon we emerged from the forest to clear views all around of the Cairngorms, Glenshee hills, Deeside and our first Munro Carn an t-Sagairt Mor (meaning - the big cairn of the priest). We could we also see some showers in the distance, but fortunately they stayed away and when we reached the end of the track we took advantage of the dry weather and had a welcome refreshment stop.

We now were on the footpath that soon took us up to the newish (2 years old) bridge across the Feindallacher Burn. Following the clear path ahead, we steadily climbed to the col between Carn an t-Sagairt Beag and Carn an t-Sagairt Mor startling a mountain hare. Here we spotted the first pieces of the RAF Canberra jet that crashed near the top of Carn an t-Sagairt Mor in 1956 on a night sortie. A short steep climb took us to the top of Carn an t-Sagairt Mor, our first Munro of the day. On the way we stopped at a large piece of wing from the crashed plane, a poignant memorial to the 2 crew of the plane.

After admiring the extensive views and noting that we still were avoiding the showers somehow, we set off for Munro 2. As we left the summit we could clearly hear a ptarmigan but it remained out of sight.

A short romp along the high plateau and we were soon at the summit of Cairn Bannock (meaning -peaked cairn), our second Munro. There was a blustery wind at the very top but by dropping down on the east side of the cairn we found perfect shelter for lunch.

After lunch, we continued along plateau to Broad Cairn (meaning – Broad Cairn!), our third and final Munro of the day. We tracked left from the summit to avoid the worst of the boulders, but it still took a bit of concentration to clamber over them. We soon speeded up again on the well made track down to the ‘pony’ hut where we turned left down the ‘Streak of Lightening’ stalkers path to Loch Muick. At this point, James related a tale that the path was originally constructed for an old landowner to be carried up the hill to watch the deer stalking. Apparently, no deer were found that day!

As we descended, we had great views down Loch Muick and we diverted at the bottom of the path for a well deserved rest on the beach at the head of Loch Muick.

Then we set off on the final leg along Loch Muick back to bus arriving only 20mins after the Short Walk and within allotted time of 8 hours having covered 24km and 1000m elevation.

Short Walk: Crathie to Spittal of Glenmuick via Conachraig

Short Walk: Crathie to Spittal of Glenmuick via Conachraig

Our group of thirteen walkers disembarked at Crathie after having left the long walkers at Keiloch. There was a noticeable chill in the air for the start of June as we set off along the wooded path by the River Dee. We made a brief diversion to the graveyard of St Manir’s Church to locate the burial place of John Brown, where the headstone described him as the “faithful personal attendant and beloved friend of Queen Victoria”. From here, minor roads took us to the recently refurbished pedestrian bridge over the Dee and up past Lochnagar distillery to the end of the public road at Buailteach.

Road and power improvements were underway as part of the development of Bovaglie Farm ahead but our route left the track immediately to head over rough ground to an overgrown track in the heather. Soon a set of stones provided an opportunity for a break and a chance to admire the views behind us. Our track continued, obviously a route of some importance in the past but now rarely travelled. Reaching higher ground the track petered out and gave way to deer tracks which took us across undulating ground to the base of Little Conachraig. Here a raised bank provided welcome shelter for a lunch stop where we were entertained by some very vocal curlews, one of which was in an aerial combat with a buzzard overhead.

Refreshed we headed up over bouldery heather to the top of Little Conachraig and on to the main land rover track up Glen Gelder. After a few hundred metres of track we were ready for the main ascent of the day. A couple of the group opted to continue on the track, a decision that seemed increasingly sensible as the main party ascended the steep heather and boulder covered slopes. Approaching the top of the hill, one of the heavy showers that we had been watching warily reached us. Coats and waterproof trousers were quickly donned and almost as quickly removed as the shower passed over us in a few minutes.

Reaching Caistael na Caillich we had great views of Lochnagar which prompted discussion of alternative routes up Lochagar for a future outing. A well-used path led us to the main top of Conachraig (865m) for another bout of admiring the views. Descending steeply to the land rover track above Clais Rathadan we headed down the familiar stoney track to Allt-na-giubhsaich and on to the coach at the Spittal of Glenmuick.

As time was on our side we didn’t rush the walk so the 16.5 km route (with 760m of ascent) took about 7 hours. Perfect timing as the long route walkers appeared within 20 minutes and we were soon on the drive back to Culter. A very enjoyable outing with great company, great views and significantly better weather than forecast.

This was a great day for a walk, 6,000 people had decided to get out and walk in good company, enjoy some wonderful scenery and hopefully dodge the forecast showery rain. Luckily for us their route took most of them from Banchory to Duthie Park in the Kilt Walk leaving Mortlich nice and quiet for the 11 Saunterers who parked in Aboyne ready for the off at 10:30.

At first the walk goes past the golf course with warnings to watch out for golf balls but in fact we were safe as the course seemed very quiet, the only golf ball seen was one lying apparently lost by the roadside. A little further on the car park full of cars is seen and we wonder, where are the golfers? A late breakfast perhaps, morning coffee, or are these social members putting the world to rights? Anyway, it made for a clear passage across one of the fairways and down to the edge of the Loch of Aboyne where water lilies were coming into bud. The loch owes its existence to the need for water to power a mill its dam, visible from the walk was built in 1834.

We turn away from the loch and the wood envelopes us, mature oaks, the ever present birch and hazel gleam in their early summer freshness, the uncurling bracken still knee high gathering strength for its mid-summer growth spurt. The footpath winds its way through all of this; every turn, and there’s lots of them bring fresh pleasure to the senses as we gain height and the view over Strathdee reveals itself. The sunshine and the effort to reach the viewpoint gives us a good place to take a coffee break and further adjust clothing for the warmth of the day. Hereabouts stout birch trees have fallen, victims of Storm Arwen with only the portions that blocked the path removed the remaining trunks making excellent seats for us.

Not wanting to get too comfortable we move on, the ups in the path replaced by downs, the birch replaced by pine trees and the bracken replace by blaeberry. A fritillary butterfly, resplendent in its yellow wings dotted with freckle like brown spots is absorbing the warmth as we pass slower now as the gradient has increased. It does indeed get much steeper; this is a tough little hill and in places there’s not much grip in amongst the pine needles and tree roots. A hawthorn covered in pearly blossom brightens the slight gloom and we use it as an excuse to catch our breath but there is no alternative eventually to press on and gain the summit after a wee scramble over a slabby bit. This is the site of a Pictish fort, a carved stone records that the cairn was erected for the 10th Marquis of Huntly who died in 1863.

The carved stone slab may have been vertical in the past but it’s now horizontal and makes a fine bench or even a table and we have lunch in the sunshine admiring the view as best we can as the trees are gradually obscuring the scenic attractions. For walkers who only get this far and return the way they came, this may be a disappointment but we set off after our repast over the hill and will shortly be enjoying one of the best views the area has to offer. To gain this delight we turn our backs on the rough cairn and nimbly dodge the collapsed fences to access a rough track gently down at first but soon we’re on a scree, it’s still the track but here it’s steep, stoney and surfaced with perilously loose granite rubble. Saunterers take these things in their stride, even if the strides are small and feet carefully and slowly placed and we’re soon down on solid ground. Here we can look out towards Lumphanan, the patchwork of fields looking fresh after the recent rain.

Recent rain? It was the rain of the present that we could see from the viewpoint giving a 180 degree panorama of hill and glen out to Lochnagar, Mount Keen, Morven and Pressendye as well as a grey veil of a refreshing shower on its way towards us. After a few drops it became necessary to don the waterproof jackets and for some trousers as the wind freshened and for a short while the rain was unpleasantly heavy. A diversion from our damp predicament was soon found right beside the path. Here was an observation platform about 3 metres high with a small balcony and a good steel ladder to access it and what does one do when confronted by such a feature? Of course, one has to climb up! Now, I would have done this only David Goodban got there first. There are still a few of these platforms to be found in the forests as they were used as vantage points to shoot brown hares and other furry animals that made a meal of newly planted saplings.

Once we were all down to earth again we walked on only to be confronted by a high locked gate across the track with very discouraging notices attached. The alternative when we’d been here before was a footpath through the gorse and broom but in the intervening years the plants were as effective barrier as the locked gate. But, not to worry as there was an alternative to the alternative as a newish track had been made to allow a deer fence to be constructed and this we followed all the way round and down to the estate road that was an easy walk onwards to experience what the rest of the Saunter had to offer.

On this side of the hill there is a stand of old Scots pine, as tall and straight as these trees can attain but vulnerable to the north wind that felled so many in Arwen’s gale. The first time we Sauntered here the track was still impassable with the huge trunks blocking the way but as we weren’t the first to pass that way a substitute track had been beaten though the undergrowth. No problems this time, a demolished fence the only sign of the devastation of November 2021. An easy walk but easier on horseback for as we turned a corner two riders approached at a slow pace, an adult on white pony and a young child mounted on child sized pony accompanied by a friend on foot. While we were careful to move to the edge of the path the adult dismounted and we walked past each other and stopped for a word or two. From the way the youngster clung to her pony it looked as this was an early introduction to equitation.

On we went down to Coull lochan another artificial stretch of water this time for angling as there is a landing stage for easy access to the water. The edge of the lochan is also equipped with a picnic bench just at the most scenic corner with views across the water and there the last of the coffee was finished. As we sat a little rain fell sending rippling rings out over the still surface, such a short shower that might have passed unnoticed if we hadn’t seen its effects on the water. A moment later all was still and a perfect mirror reflection was presented only to be spoilt as the wind picked up.

A glimpse of Coull House, designed and lived in by Alexander Marshall Mackenzie ten years after he completed the frontage of Marischal College is an introduction to the grand buildings that we pass as the Saunter wends its way back to Aboyne. First the gatehouse to the Aboyne Castle grounds, its turret presiding over the wedding parties making their way to the Coo’s Cathedral venue. Not a fanciful name as the elaborate building was once home to pedigree cattle and on to pass, at a respectful distance Aboyne Castle, no longer an ancient building as it was completely remodelled and modernised in 1986. Almost back to the road we cross the surprisingly lengthy and wide Allach Bridge built in 1787.

Sometimes the gods smile upon us…or, to be more prosaic, the sun shone the whole day, and this was a walk that deserved sunshine.

There are plenty of details to be thrilled over – you really should have been there – from medieval castle to amazing wild flowers, from ice cream van (free flakes!) to brown hare placidly munching the farmer’s crop, from narrow rocky sea-washed steps to golden sands, from black guillemots (honest), to strenuous trig points, from the rarely seen Mertensia to the final farewell of the seals at Portessie: just a fantastic day out.

My thanks to the drivers, especially June, and to everyone who came and enjoyed.

I’m not saying “Don’t trust me” - but I must thank the 10 members who turned up expecting a simple circuit over 3 well-known Munros, starting from the highest parking - and instead embarked on a rather more challenging 5 Munros starting from the lowest parking…

All walkers were brilliant, happily embracing the change in route (yes, backwards); the extra ascent, total now over 1,000m but worth it to avoid as much of the fiercely cold north wind as we could; the snow and hail showers that beat down on us at quite short intervals thru the whole day; but great that Nick celebrated 2 new Munros.

This route is normally an easy and pleasant way of knocking off a goodly number of hills in one day. In these conditions, neither adjective applies. However the whole walk, dipping in and out of icy cold winter conditions, mingled with the most amazing sunshine and the absolute quiet of no wind, and the whole plateau with its rolling high mountains either vanished in cloud and snow or lit by blazing sun with the contrasting black shadows on the cliffs made it a day to remember. Thank you, everyone!

Saunter Report We gathered in a rather clandestine fashion, tucked away in the church car park as requested by the Session Clerk with whom I’d had an amicable exchange of emails. The din from above no, not that far above, sounded less friendly but rooks have always been shouty, social birds with their rookery here high in the pine trees bordering the car park. One or two early arrivals for the church service were surprised to see us commenting that we could have parked on the verge. The point of requesting permission to park in their spacious car park was not to clutter up their village with parked cars.

We set off but not before the chosen route was settled on as it was different from the one described on the Macks walk website and was an alternative to the way some of the Saunterers had walked Tom’s Cairn in the past. We were doing the walk widdershins, in an attempt to avoid the worst of the cold wind and the short stretch of the B976 was walked downhill rather than uphill at the end of the walk. Much of the minor road from the church to the junction of the B976, where the primary school is located has a separate pedestrian path that starts with an excursion through the small community woodland, just before the community library conveniently located in the community bus shelter is passed. After a pause to allow some Saunters time for a brief browse of what might be described as mostly ‘light fiction’ we moved on to our next stop at the Finzean Farm Shop to inform them of the number taking tea etc after the walk.

Now, with all that out of the way the Saunter got going properly uphill to the school where some reassurance was needed that this was the way of the walk and a sign post would soon be seen in about 500m down the road pointing the way to Tom’s Cairn. And so it proved, a gate letting us into a field with a crop of freshly sprouted barley to edge around and up to a sheltered copse of birch trees. Another gate lets us out of the field and up through the woods and past gorse and broom setting the hillside ablaze with yellow blooms, dazzling in the chilly sunshine. Here and there on the old track grey, rocky ribs show themselves but mostly it’s a grassy path up to a convenient hollow where we take a break with the intention to have just a coffee stop but the cold weather seemed to have provoked some appetites as sandwiches were unwrapped by some. Waterproofs were donned by all who were not already wearing them as the heaviest shower of the day, as it proved to be, descended upon us and so, refreshed, fed and dampened we made our way up to the ridge following the signed path well used on the day by dog walkers.

A gentle rise leads to the summit and as we approach a pair of cairns appear, one the usual pile of stones while another is a well-built, freshly raised small memorial to a Farquharson family wedding that took place in August 2024. It takes the form of an information panel naming the hills seen to the south and west following the custom set by another family on their estate who celebrated family events with raising cairns. The Balmoral ones are more numerous, substantial and are tourist attractions. Perhaps in time the Farquharsons of Finzean will stud their hilltops with more memorial cairns.

We move on because this is not the top of the hill where a trig point, its 1930’s functional size and shape always reassuring even if it’s just in the corner of a field but for us today, not that there’s any doubt given the crystal clear visibility hereabouts, we are at the top, good enough for OS surveyors but others perhaps more concerned with the best viewpoint have thrown together another cairn a short distance away on a point overlooking Strathdee. For the Saunterers this is the second trig point we’ve visited in two consecutive walks – what an achievement – what a coincidence!

Having visited the summit a fine walk along a rolling, windy ridge gives excellent views as the sunny periods pass rapidly, the clouds driven along by the breeze takes us into a progressively dense forest. Before the forest, just on the brow of the ridge a small herd of sheep is seen, we’d been warned to keep any dog well leashed to keep the sheep safe in notices on gate posts and there they were, happily unmolested. Not that this would normally be mentioned even in my prolixious reports! But this is Joseph Farquharson country, the painter of sheep in mostly frozen landscapes.

Ahead of us on the most exposed parts of the hillside trees have suffered in winds stronger than today and as we descend blaeberry carpet the ground their insignificant flowers promising a good crop of berries come the autumn. Onwards and downward the slope of Corsedarder Hill to the roadside we pass the Dardanus Stone, that’s the one that has been repaired with three iron straps after being broken by roadmen in the 19th century. Dardanus being a Pictish king of Scots, the stone marking the place he was killed and the Long Cairn his place of burial – all legend, the documentary evidence being sketchy at best. Also hereabouts is the chunky, couthy obelisk of the war memorial to the 34 men of Birse who were killed in WW1 and 2. Less conspicuous are the 34 trees planted here in 1999 to further commemorate the men.

Over the road and the character of the Saunter changes completely. No longer are we in the breeze, the bright sunshine is shaded by the closely planted trees and evidence of commercial forestry is all around as we attempt to make our way to the Long Cairn thought by some to be the grave of King Darnanus. Our way is barred by the fallen trees and the track marked on the map being heavily overgrown by regenerated trees. Not to worry as there is another track, well used by the forestry people to drive, judged by the enormous tracks left in the dried, thank goodness mud, their commensurately large forestry equipment. Here also discarded or waiting to be collected was a partially sliced tree, the damp timber discs clearly displaying the perfect symmetry of its growth. As no one wanted to count the rings (I suppose it is a childish thing to do, after all, but the thought did cross my mind and perhaps the minds of others) we moved off through the still standing remains of the wood.

A turning in the track and we’re down in a deciduous wood partly shaded with a marvellous view over a very scenic, tumbled dyke to Clachnaben; further on the track is swallowed up between rather sinister holly hedges not allowing the passer by a sight of Finzean House. We’re now on flat ground with pasture on one side of the estate road and in due course we emerge onto the Forest of Birse road ready to make our way up to the farm shop for tea, coffee and fine pieces.

The first weekend trip for the CHC this year was a cross-border one to the very picturesque Southern Lake District. Twenty-three members of the club, plus spouses, totalling twenty-six which is a record for a weekend away, made the 5.5hr journey excluding stops to stay at the HF Holiday accommodation, Monk Coniston. And what a marvellous place to stay this turned out to be. A brief history of the house is as follows.

Monk Coniston is a Grade ll listed house overlooking Coniston Water. In the early years it was known as Waterhead House and later as Monk Coniston Hall. This gothic style property dates from the 1770’s. It was the house of the Harrison, Ford and Knott families before the 4000-acre estate was purchased by the wealthy Leeds industrialist James Marshall in 1836. Not only did Marshall extend and improve the property, but it was his idea to join three small ponds in a boggy valley to create the lovely Tarn Hows – now a popular Lakeland classic.

In 1926 Monk Coniston and gardens were sold to Wigan businessman John Perry Bradshaw. The rest of the estate, including Tarn Hows and several farms was purchased by the children’s author and illustrator Beatrix Potter. While she never lived in the house, she worked closely with the National Trust and helped to acquire land and manage farms to ensure long time preservation.

Beatrix immediately sold half of the estate at cost price to the National Trust. The rest of the land passed to the organisation after her death in 1943. The National Trust purchased the hall and gardens from John Perry Bradshaw’s widow in 1945 and has been part of the HF Holiday line up since then.

With the Lake District being a hill-walker’s paradise, and our accommodation located in a prime location, many of the walks began from the front door, without the need of transport.

On Saturday we were joined by another member of the club who was staying in his camper van on a nearby campsite, taking the total participants for a club meet to twenty-seven.

Sunday was the day when some of us used the efficient local bus service to either get to the start of their chosen route, or to return from a linear trek.

The hills that we walked over the course of the weekend were. Coniston Old Man by various routes including the horseshoe, Fairfield horseshoe from Ambleside, Brim Fell, Black Crag, Holme Fell, Grey Friar, Swirl Hows, Great Carrs, Wetherlam, Fairfield, Hart Crag, High Pike, Great Rigg, Low Pike, Nab Scar, Holme Fell, Rydal Fell, Heron Pike, Scafell, Scafell Pike, Blencartha and Dove Crag.

Lower-level walks included Monk Coniston to Ambleside via Tarn Hows, Skelwith Bridge and the lovely Lily Tarn before returning by bus. Coniston Copper Works, Yew Tree Farm via Tarn Hows. Circular from Coniston Water to Torver Common and Walna Scar Road. Various walks around Coniston and one participant taking a cycle ride round Coniston Water, returning via Grizedale Forest.

The weather behaved itself over the course of the weekend and certainly never held any of us back from walking these lovely hills.

Thanks to everyone for making this a very joyous, successful, and memorable weekend for the Culter Hillwalking Club.

After last year’s disappointment (weather horrible and me stuck at Heathrow), this was a much anticipated walk taking in the line of hills lying north of Glen Callater.

I’d have preferred a better forecast for the day, but the rain held off until we climbed to the high point of the day, we then did feel the full benefit of strong gusty wind as well…so things could only get better, and after a stop to fuel up and wrestle with overtrousers and extra gloves, of course it fined up.

The icy waters of Loch Phadruig behind us, we climbed easily up Hill 2, and enjoyed a fun descent down steep grass. On to Hill 3, with its totally charming infinity pool of a lochan, thru a deer gate and up a narrow path to the finale of Hill 4 (Millstone Cairn), with its sweeping views of the surrounding mountains. And the most challenging part of the day? Descending with extreme care thru the newly developing forest, planted pre Covid and now making a real impact. Beware the now hidden JCB holes!

Thanks to the drivers Nick and Peter; and a mention of the highly welcome tea and scones afterwards at The Bothy.

Having left a cloudy Deeside our 15 walkers arrived to a sunny Glen Isla and although the air temperature was a chilly 4 degrees, the spring sun made it feel much warmer. Setting off past Auchavan Farm it was immediately upwards by steep landrover track on a direct approach to Monamenach. A couple of wardrobe adjustment stops were required on the unforgiving ascent. Leaving the track to take an even steeper path brought us slowly to the flat top and unremarkable cairn on Monamenach (807m). The views were extensive in all directions. A break allowed not just time to eat and drink but also to identify the hills, including nearby Creag Leacach, Glas Maol and Monega Hill and after some debate Ben Vrackie, Schiehallion, Ben Lawers and Ben More in the far distance.

Navigation from here was straightforward, just keep the fence on the left (at this point the Cairngorm National Park boundary). Stray lengths of wire in the heather required vigilance when walking but paid off with several sightings of lizards scurrying away from our feet. Reaching Craigenloch Hill we left the fence briefly to gain great views of Loch Beanie below. Then a steep descent avoiding the worst of the boulders to arrive at the bealach at the head of Glen Beanie. Next a steep and lengthy ascent beside a boundary wall to arrive at Duchray Hill. As an afternoon wind had developed we took shelter behind the boundary wall for an overdue lunch break, with views over Glen Isla.

Refuelled, the downhill stretch over the grassy top of Carn an Fhidhleir went quickly, as did the farm track down to Forter Farm where we paused to admire the 16th century Forter Castle, restored in 1990s and now available for holiday let. Passing the farm buildings the first swallows of the year made an appearance overhead. A welcome sign that summer was not far away.

After a short road section we crossed the Isla Bridge and headed north along the east bank of the River Isla. A raised sunny bank gave an excuse for another break and for some an impromptu paddle in the river. From here it was easy going on farm tracks back to the bridge by Auchavan and a return to the cars in surprisingly warm afternoon sun.

A total of 18km , 850m of ascent in just over seven hours.

A glorious day for the walk and such a contrast to the gales and rain that had caused the walk to be postponed the previous year. Many thanks to the drivers and to Catherine for back marking.

Deeside, Donside and the Angus Glens have all been well trodden by the Saunterers, the ups and downs of hill and glen providing lots of interest and sometimes slightly challenging terrain. This time, some of our number for various reasons were looking for a Saunter that was only undulating, easy going, dry underfoot and hopefully, without any navigational uncertainties. Where better then, to look north, cruise up Aberdeenshire’s finest road, slipping through a sleepy Newburgh to the luxurious car parks just over the river Ythan and anticipate a fine walk to Collieston. For this, 18 Saunterers assembled huddling a bit in the chill southeasterly wind off the sea under a grey sky. Sunshine was promised for later in the day and we’d have the breeze on our back.

Cheered with that thought we set off through an overgrown plantation planted a long time ago with pine trees on one side of the track and deciduous trees on the other to be greeted with the raucous din of the nest building crows in residence at the tops of the deciduous trees. An old wife’s tale suggests that if the crows build their nest near the tops of the trees a good, warm summer can be expected. I don’t think crows know much about climate change but these nests were just about as high as the trees could support so keep your sunglasses handy.

The track turns away from the estuary of the Ythan, its nesting terns and seal colony and leaves the cultivated fields and rises to meet the sprawling dune heath that is part of the nature reserve. To the south are the acres of shifting sand dunes, an area that was used to prepare troops for desert warfare in WW2. On the way willows grow in damp areas, not yet in leaf we hardly give them a second look but they were an important sustainable resource to the fisher folk who made creels to carry and lobster pots from their whippy branches. The remains of a salmon fishing station are at the end of the track but the only remaining evidence of human occupation of the area is the tiny ruined kirk we stop to examine. Other buildings perhaps built of wood or turf have long since vanished, buried in sand or carried away by storms.

The freshly maintained track makes its way through the hillocks of heath with occasional views down to the now rocky shore the, fishing station being the divide between the exposed sand and the rock. Looking south there is a 20km beach stretching all the way to Aberdeen but our first destination isn’t seen until we’re on the lip of the cliff above Hackley Bay. Here the Dalradian schist cliffs, have given way to the sea and a sandy cove lies before us, the ebbing tide washing the golden sand to give the oyster catchers fresh picking. We descend the 190 steps to the beach where the cosy cove was out of the wind and by now the clouds had relented to give us a sunny coffee stop in this timeless place.

Refreshed and fortified most tackled the steep path on the north side of the bay where the going is particularly steep between two rocky ribs and at least three points of contact are needed for security and safe progress on the eroded sand and grass. A few stone steps at the lip and the top of the cliff is gained and a fine view over the gently rolling waves is enjoyed as we wait for the splinter group of two which had decided to use the secure steps on the south side and the cliff top path to continue their saunter.

A quick head count and we’re off again and as the land rises and falls views of Collieston in the distance come and go. An easy walk and good progress around the top of the grassy cliffs studded with clumps of daffodils radiant in the sunshine and we arrive at the outskirts of Collieston, a collection of modern houses many in the style of the older fisherfolks’ cottages nearer the sea. The terraces of cottages facing the sea are all connected up with footpaths that snake past gable ends and drying greens. The occasional ladder is propped up here and there giving the feeling of being in a board game!

Lunch is taken on the sea front where picnic benches and tables await overlooking the harbour and its massive pier built in 1894. The village had prospered from the inshore fishery that flourished in the 1870s, the boats being beached and catches dried on cliff top fields. The pier would have been built to provide shelter for larger boats but by the time the pier was ready the inshore fishery was declining and families moved to Torry, their menfolk to crew steam trawlers. The silting up of the harbour was blamed on the pier as tides and currents moved sand north.

We made a move back up to the high ground to continue our saunter over the moor leaving the coast for the interior where we were quickly enveloped in grassy gullies skirting hillocks on a path that showed here and there, where the thin covering of vegetation had been eroded, the fine sand that underlaid the heath. Where the path dipped the ground was still waterlogged, still wet despite the long dry spell we were enjoying. These damp mossy areas were an important source of sphagnum that was gathered and dried for use as first aid material in WW1 as it has antiseptic and absorbent properties.

Our goal on this part of the saunter was the highest point in the nature reserve, this is the Culter Hillwalking Club, after all and its trig point at 57 metres asl easily attained with a short diversion from the main track. Here the view all round is extensive; the coast, castle, Kirkton on Ythanside and hill, Bennachie all representative of what makes Aberdeenshire such an interesting place Then it was back to our march to the car park, our good progress was halted, however as the track crossed a small stream and our efforts to avoid the bog it flowed out of took us off the line of the track; this was a “navigational uncertainty” in an area that Macbeth’s witches would have been happy with. Not to worry, we weren’t due at the coffee shop for about another 50 minutes so no panic ensued and we were soon back on the track, soon turning the corner to be met by the endlessly cawing crows and soon turning into the Trellis Coffee Shop’s car park for the usual post walk refreshment at the end of another, thanks to the weather and assembled company, excellent Saunter.

After the enthusiastic response to last year’s trips to Transition Extreme, we decided to have another go…

Twelve of us, some beginners, some second time around, yet again had a fantastic time. Some nifty organising by the instructors had up to 4 people climbing at one time, very impressive and only partly down to the auto-belaying! The size of the climbing walls is quite intimidating but everyone managed very well, no screaming heard at all, and some people reached amazing heights. And after, many said they were keen to go back for another session. Maybe after the summer?

16 members turned out for this walk, mainly, I suspect, for the excitement of exploring The Crannach – a hill little if ever visited by humans, and not many animals either.

The RSPB reserve on its lower slopes is fine, but its topmost contours boast quite a collection of Krummholz, stunted pines clinging to life amid the bare granite bedrock. Bizarrely there is even a little path, which soon vanishes as the trees and the heather gain strength.

More and more care was needed to navigate thru the increasingly dense pine forest, with ever longer vegetation, hidden boulders and holes; even a fairytale pool appeared out of nowhere.

Finally the reward of a fabulous view over the Dee valley, with Ballater sparkling in sunshine. And we owe a debt of thank to Andy R who carefully picked a fantastic though steep descent among the crags to get us down safely. A brilliant effort by all involved; and do not fear, next month’s walk will seem relaxed by comparison!

On a lovely mild day in early March 9 hillwalkers boarded a very comfortable 19 seat bus supplied by Peace Coaches on our way to Glenesk. Our amenable bus driver Colin was happy with the prospect of smaller parking areas. We disembarked at a very familiar car park at Tarfside, scene of last season’s bus adventure, hoping our bus would not succumb to any disasters.

Our walk started heading north along the Fungle/Firmounth long distance path, turning off east towards Craig Soates, our first hill, admiring the beautiful lenticular clouds which had formed above us. We sheltered from the now lively wind, admiring the views overt Glen Tennet while having our coffee. Our route continued on track over Mount Een, Bennygray and Wester Cairn and then to Mount Battock. The shelter proved large enough to accommodate us for a lunch stop, much more inviting than the deep snow on reconnaissance. Descending, through the heather along the fence line using a faint path, we then rejoined track to take us south. Keeping to the west side of Burn of Turret, we then crossed into a lovely tree lined glen. It was a relief to see a fully functioning coach and happy driver awaiting us at Millden.

We had time for coffee and delicious scones at the friendly Retreat. Glenesk Folk Museum has many interesting exhibits and local history.

Following the metamorphosis of the dreary weather forecast for Torphins when the poster came out into one for an all day sunshine, no rain, little wind and reasonable temperatures by the beginning of last week, 13 Saunterers gathered opposite Platform 22 to circumnavigate Learney Hill and perhaps tackle its summit. Not certain given the hummocky and sparsely wooded terrain and the absence of any path to it.

We headed off up hill through Torphins, turned left at the Church and then into Torphins Wood taking the uphill path that follows the edge of the mixed woodland , giving clear views of the golf course. Birdsong from the wood’s avian inhabitants re-enforced the feeling that it really was the 2nd day of Spring. Then downhill, out of the wood and onto a short road walk , skirting Fontenay hill, and then taking the right hand fork through the avenue of beech trees, leading towards Category B listed Learney House. But not before passing beautiful Learney Lodge, which appears to be a relatively new house, and West Learney Lodge, now beautifully restored. Woodland on our left and open views over the rolling agricultural land on our right. We took advantage of the grassy bank round the side of the West Lodge for the usual coffee stop.

Onwards and upwards, round the back of the Learney House, aiming for a footpath shortcut up to the tracks higher up the hill. Counting up to the grid reference on Assistant Leader David Sutherland’s GPS and aided by the OS map with the red triangle on Bill’s phone, the path duly appeared just as we passed the end of the plantation. Not obvious but easy going and easily followed. On hitting the track, we found ourselves in a surprisingly open plantation of tall conifers. Making sure we followed the left hand tracks at any junction we were soon going round Learney Hill. Decision time about the summit was at the northwestern corner of the circuit. Four intrepid adventurers plus Jura headed off over the tussocks whilst the rest us continued round to our lunch spot, enjoying the wonderful view over to Clachnaben and the Deeside hills, to where the map indicated out track would meet another track that would carry the summit party on the final descent from the summit. It wasn’t long before they appeared, heralded by Jura. The descent had been worse than the ascent, over grassy hummocks and heather, with a spot of fallen tree climbing, but was worth it because of the even better view all the way round to Morven and its covering of the last winter snows.

We were met with a slight navigational challenge as we headed off after lunch – there was only one track on the ground, not the 3 shown on the map. We reassured ourselves we were where we though we were by concluding that the new fence across two of them was responsible for their obliteration. In addition, the remaining one was heading in the right direction, south into the sun. Into the trees again until a left turn took us out into more open countryside, heading towards Learney Lodge, where our track would join the road, we’d come up earlier. A break away party took a short cut down a short grassy bank, over the barbed wire fence rendered temporarily harmless by Bill, down the field and through a brand new double gate to the road. Back through Torphins Woods, where we could hear, but not see, a woodpecker hammering at a tree, and down to the cars.

The plan to take the post walk refreshment in Platform 22 had been abandoned due to the establishment’s inexplicable closure on Sundays, in favour of the Raemoir Garden Centre. 9 of us rounded off a wonderful day in the cathedral like “conservatory” where we were faced with the only disappointment of the day: not enough cinnamon scones to go round.

Plan A included a trip to visit some quite impressive aircraft wreckage lying in the very rough high ground beyond Ben Tirran. Plan B skipped the wreckage but kept Ben Tirran. Plan C was a lovely loop to Loch Wharral and explored a quiet but beautiful little wood, complete with lochans. Plan D was stay at home…

As often the case in the hills, you decide on the hoof, and by the time we reached 800m, we were tramping thru snow, could see nothing and were being blown by more snow: goodbye wreckage, maybe another day…. in the summer months…. and welcome Plan B.

Fortunately for the lazy navigator, there’s quite an amount of fencing up there, delineating Rottal’s bounds, and we kept close to this reassuring handrail, which leads almost to the trig on the Goet, Ben Tirran’s highpoint. There’s more serious nav to Ben Tirran’s cairns, but those who keep their GPS warm and dry and take no photos should have no problems.

Descent to the locked bothy at Loch Wharral demanded care, but then finally some easy track & path back to the cars. A lucky day out in winter conditions, great fun!

A strong interest in climbing up Ben Newe (rhymes with Meow 🐈‍ ■) led to 19 intrepid walkers and a dog enjoying the delights of the Strathdon Area.

The weather was promising with dry conditions and light winds predicted.

We started from the forest car park just North of the Don where there are also a number of mountain bike trails and walked across part of the Buchaam Riverside and Farm Walk before venturing up forest tracks towards the summit. Mapping showed numerous walkable options, but the reality was that some tracks had been forgotten and were now largely impassable.. Regardless, we ventured upwards until we came upon a through tunnel made of trees which provided a quite unique atmosphere albeit now dropping downhill to break out of the trees, allowing a coffee stop to enjoy the glorious views over Glen Buchat and beyond.

Now for the 165m climb up to the top where a trig point and well awaited us.

No sign of the well, but the weather afforded great 360 degree views..

A team photo followed then a steady walk all the way down on good tracks passing a solo mountain biker and a couple lads on ATV’s towards the lunch stop just above the Don..

The walk was split into two loops and thus we used the road bridge to cross over the Don to the South and use a mixture of fields and gates to walk gently up to the top of Cairnbeg Hill via the lower mound of Deskry. The weather had improved and we were blessed to have sunny spells and more great views. From here we had to find a way down through fairly newly planted forest surrounded by a rather well built deer fence..

Fortunately gates had been strategically placed to permit all and the dog to drop back down on a grassy track to the road / footbridge at Dunanford.

From here it was a simple walk back uphill to the cars.

Six of us met at the carpark for Clattering Brig, ready to set off at 10.30am. We followed the path up to Loch of Muchrae crossing the burn a few times. Sometimes on bridges and sometimes wading through the shallow water. To the best of my knowledge, we all managed without getting water into our boots. On the way we spotted some birds, including possibly buzzards. Just after the loch we turned left and followed the path to a gate on our right. This was a reasonably new cattle grid and we stopped to admire the design with the holes between the girders and the small ramp to allow any wildlife an easy exit if they had the misfortune to fall in. After another new gate, we stopped for a tea break before heading down hill to another path leading to a gate. This gate was padlocked so we had to climb over the woodwork at the side of it to make our way to the Shanks of Cardown and a steady climb up to a path that led to Hound Hillock. We stopped for lunch at the top of this path to recover from the climb. The Trig point is off the main path so four of us tramped across the heather to the Trig point. The low cloud meant that there was no view at all. We returned to the path, continued on for a short distance to a cross roads. We turned right and followed the path back to the loch and then back to the cars, arriving at 3.30pm. A total of 13.8 kilometres in a time of 5 hours. Some of us made our way up the steps to the Clattering Brig restaurant for coffee and cake to round off the day.

First I had to learn how to say “Keig”. Then learn where to park there (the main road, not too difficult…)

Then we set off thru the grounds of the Forbes estate, visiting the impressive Cothiemuir Stone Circle, swiftly followed by an inspection of the natural burial ground nearby – a beautiful peaceful place to end your days on Earth!

A wander round neatly cut grass paths then the Gordon Way topped by Hermit Seat with (almost) obligatory offpath, then a lovely descent over Turf Hill – all with tremendous views south over the Howe of Alford on a clear crisp winter’s day – just couldn’t be bettered, although I admit I did enjoy a closeup view of Castle Forbes and the final stroll above the gleaming waters of the River Don.

A big thankyou to drivers, and to all for their company on a great day out.

Sunday January 5th, the first of the Club’s 2025 scheduled Walk and Saunter with a good number, 23 booked into the walk. BUT the weather forecast for that day never looked good, with the onset of rain on a northeasterly wind, and a maximum temperature of only 2C. Equally deterring was the rain would be falling on road surfaces below 0C so any untreated roads would be an ice rink. End result - both the Saunter and the Walk (even the Plan B walk) were cancelled by Friday 3rd, an ominous start to the year..

However, Saturday’s weather forecast looked perfect, little wind, snow on the ground (Aberdeen had 8cms), maximum 1C during the day, (Dyce recorded minus 8C Saturday at 9am), and wall to wall sunshine, far too good to be missed. Consequently, the first CHC “Pop-up” walk was hurriedly put together, a circular Banchory, Scolty, river Dee south embankment, billed as less than 15km, with a leisurely 11.30 am start (the coordinator had grandchildren on a sleepover and wanted to hand them back before the walk).

Ten members were able to jump to this Pop-up walk and duly met up at Banchory Bellfield car park (co-ordinating Pop-up walks does not include the management of car-sharing). Fortunately Bellfield was empty, obviously Banchory residents were still overdosed on retail therapy from the Christmas frenzy. A quick amble across the Dee bridge (river levels about average), along the tarmac, into the woods, past the Scolty car park and west south-westerly, through an untidy forest clearance of maybe 3 years ago, and through the steel gate exiting Forestry Scotland land into a more natural woodland with views between the trees up a snow dusted Deeside.

A 90-degree left off the track took us onto the most direct (and thus steepest) route to the Scolty summit where our co-ordinator took great delight in showing off the massive path improvements Banchory Path Group had made over the last 6 months by removing all the broom, bracken, grass and debris that had completely engulfed and hidden the well-engineered original path resulting in a “braided’ some distance off to the side that was eroding and damaging the hillside. A lot more work still to be done here but quite quickly the Scolty Tower, bult in 1840 as a memorial to one of the Burnett family, became visible against a cobalt sky. As predicted, no wind and exceptional visibility, without doubt a time for a refreshment break, and sufficient mince pies to go around.

As planned it was far too early just to reroute back to Banchory, so, after some debate, a west-southweterly route was taken from the summit to meet up with a finger of forest just south of Hill of Goauch to the west, a route the Club had walked in t’other direction in 2016. With snow on the ground this unforested backwater path of Blackhall forest is not well trodden, but with good tracking skills footprints of humans and dogs in the snow were faithfully followed. We entered Goauch at not quite the planned spot, but continued along the path which under the shelter of the trees was not snow covered and reassuringly frequent windfall had been cut through by a man with a buzz saw, a few years back. But the man with the saw must have run out of fuel as the still clearly visible path came to an abrupt end against a substantial distance of total windfall, there was no way through. A short retreat was made and at the first junction we took an alternative route (not marked on OS), which rather pleasantly took us to the top of Hill of Goauch which at 337m is higher than Scolty’s 299m. OS 25,000 has it named as Tower Hill of Goauch but a visual scan through the trees revealed nothing tower-like that could compete with Scolty. It was a first ascent for all of us, even the local Banchory folk.

Following our path northward in descent we soon reached the motorway that is the Deeside Way, and from there worked our way as directly as possible to the Dee at Glenbogle Lodge, as the sun set, invisible to us, behind the hills. Temperatures were falling so we took a short break on the steps of the Glenbogle fishing hut to finish off the warm drinks (and mince pies), then set off downstream on the Dee embankment at a brisk pace as dusk advanced at around 4.30pm.

For minimal planning the walk was very satisfying, with a good team contribution to the route finding along what evolved into 14km and 400m of ascent,