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Home , Barthol Chapel, Formartine, Strathdon

Council Ranger Service Events and Activities in May

At the Bennachie Visitor Centre this month ….. Do you love Bennachie and its wildlife? Looking for a gift or something special for your home? Then come along to the Bennachie Visitor Centre and take a look at our new Gallery. On show just now is an exhibition of work by the Donside Camera Club - there's some fabulous pictures! Mounted or framed all are available to buy and proceeds go to the Donside Camera Club and the Bennachie Centre Trust. www.bennachievisitorcentre.org.uk

Saturday 13th – Sunday 14th May CAIRNGORMS NATURE BIG WEEKEND The Cairngorms Nature BIG Weekend celebrates the ’s outstanding wildlife and scenery. Among dozens of events across the Park, the Ranger will be joining other local ranger services and wildlife experts to offer a day of activities for families and nature lovers on Saturday 13th May in Glen Tanar, near . Some of these will be bookable, but there will also be drop-in activities. CONTACT: the Cairngorms National Park Authority on 01479 873535 or see http://cairngorms.co.uk/discover-explore

Sunday 14th May 10.00am – 1.00pm ENERGETICA RANGER CYCLING ROAD SHOW: Get on Your Bikes and Ride! A bike ride through little used country lanes, beautiful views and up moderately bracing hills (but every hill has its down-side!) from Ellon to Newburgh and back on a circular route. This ride is for adults only, you must be fit enough to cycle 16 miles, your bike must be in good working order and you must be able, and have the means to, repair a puncture. Cycle helmets are compulsory. Bring a drink. Free event but booking is essential. Details of the route can be found here: https://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/media/17410/4-turriff-fyvie-formartine- route-3.pdf MEET: at the Golf Road car park, Ellon CONTACT: the Ranger on 07786 021780, [email protected]

Tuesday 16th May 6.30 – 9.30pm ROWANTREE / BACK OF BENNACHIE CIRCULAR WALK Please come along and join the Ranger on a circular family walk (approx. 4miles) starting at Rowantree car park. Please wear appropriate clothing and footwear and bring along a snack and drink. Dogs welcome but must be under close control at all times. Booking essential. MEET: at the Rowantree car park CONTACT: the Garioch Ranger on 01467 681470 / 07786 021781, [email protected]

Saturday 20th – Friday 26th May WALKING FESTIVAL The Marr Ranger will be leading two walks ( to Kincardine O’ Neil; ) for adults featuring natural and social history as part of this annual festival: http://www.walkballater.com/ Booking essential; charges apply. CONTACT: Ballater Walking Festival on 013397 55727, [email protected]

Sunday 21st May 10.00am – approx. 12.30pm WHO WERE THE BENNACHIE COLONISTS? Join the Bailies of Bennachie on an informal walk around the homes of the Bennachie Colonists who lived on the slopes of Bennachie in the 19th and early 20th Century. Dogs are welcome if under control. Please wear stout footwear, waterproof and warm clothing and a snack. MEET: at the Bennachie Visitor Centre, Chapel of Garioch CONTACT: the Bailies of Bennachie on 07799 658209, [email protected]

Sunday 21st May 11.00am – 3.00pm SPRING OVER THE GIANT’S STEPS Celebrate ’s Nature Festival and the Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology with a circular walk along a spectacular stretch of coastline. Walk over the Giant’s Steps and learn how they were single-handedly put in place. Discover the story of Charlie the hermit and look out for natural gems hidden along the coast. Please wear suitable clothing and strong, sturdy footwear. This walk is only suitable for adults and booking is essential. MEET: at Cullen Harbour by Tigh Na Mara (nearest postcode: AB56 4AG Landranger Map 29 Grid Ref: NJ513675) CONTACT: the Banff and Ranger on 07788 688855

Saturday 27th May 12noon – 3.00pm ENERGETICA WALKING FESTIVAL: SEABIRD WATCH AT Much of the Aberdeenshire coast is designated as a Natura 2000 site because of its international importance for breeding seabirds, at this event the Ranger Service will offer you the chance to get close-up views of one of the best seabird colonies on our coastline. This is a drop-in session, the Ranger will set up a telescope on the cliff top and hopefully we will get close-up views of Guillemots, Razorbills, Kittiwakes and Fulmars, which come ashore in the summer months to breed and raise their young. If we are lucky we may also get a chance to spot Puffins and Dolphins. Car parking is available at the lay-by on the A975, a couple of hundred yards from the junction with the A90. As this is a drop in event there is no need to book, but please be aware of the cliff-top location, this is not a place for young children or those who don’t like heights. CONTACT: [email protected]

Saturday 27th May 10.00am – 4.00pm VISIT THE AIRCRASH MEMORIAL CAIRN You are welcome to join the Garioch Ranger and the Bennachie Centre Trust on a walk to visit the Memorial Cairn that was erected in 2012 in memory of Pilots killed in two separate air crashes in the mid 1900’s on Bennachie, you will hear the stories behind these two tragedies. The route will begin at the Bennachie Visitor Centre along the Gordon Way to Oxen Craig on to the air crash site, back to Oxen Craig, Craigshannoch then on to the Maiden Causeway path and return to the Centre via the Turnpike path. Please wear appropriate clothing and footwear and bring along a packed lunch, snacks and a drink. Dogs welcome but must be kept under close control at all times. This walk is strenuous and part of the walk is not on paths and is through deep heather in parts. This walk is approximately 6 miles in length and is only suitable for adults. Booking essential. MEET: at the Bennachie Visitor Centre, Chapel of Garioch CONTACT: the Garioch Ranger on 01467 681470 / 07786 021781, [email protected]

Sunday 28th May 10.00am – 1.30pm RANGER CYCLING ROAD SHOW: Get on Your Bikes and Ride! A moderate bike ride from , calling at , Brinklay, , Quilquox and back to Tarves. This ride is for adults only, you must be fit enough to cycle 18 miles, your bike must be in good working order and you must be able, and have the means to, repair a puncture. Cycle helmets are compulsory. Free event but booking is essential. Details of the route can be found here however, it will be varied to take in Haddo Country Park (and its two tearooms!): https://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/media/12546/route1_005.pdf MEET: at the car park in the middle of Tarves CONTACT: the Formartine Ranger on 07786 021780, [email protected]

Sunday 28th May HILL SKILLS WORKSHOP For further information and booking contact Hillgoers on 07753 488688, [email protected]. Details will also be posted on our Facebook page www.facebook.com/bennachievisitorcentre MEET: at the Bennachie Visitor Centre, Chapel of Garioch