The Westhill Walkers Walking and Social Programme 2017 N.B. Times given are approximate walking times - stops extra! Please meet at the stated time at Westhill Shopping Centre Car Park (turn left then head for the far corner) for all walks unless noted otherwise.

Date Walk Grade Length Ascent Approx. walking time

Sunday Sands of Forvie E 8th Jan. This circular walk takes us along the Ythan Estuary and through the 7.5mi 08:30 dunes of the Forvie Reserve and then by a cliff top path to Collieston 4-5hrs Start/Finish NK 003270 Mouth of Ythan near Newburgh

Sunday Kerloch E/M 22ndJan. A circular walk taking in Kerloch, Little Kerloch and Melmannoch. 7mi 08:30 Start/Finish NO 694914 4hrs

Sunday Orienteering at Crathes E 5th Feb. Come and practice your navigation in a fun way in the grounds of Crathes 09:00 Castle. Further details to follow. Start/Finish Crathes Castle

Sunday Slewdrum to E/M 19th Feb. Follow part of the Deeside Way through Slewdrum and Blackhall Forests 7-8.5mi 08:00 to Banchory climbing Scolty on the way. 5hrs Start NO 632945 on Old Military Road or NO606973 Potarch Hotel Finish NO 698955 Banchory

Saturday Buffet Dinner and Ceilidh Dance 25th Feb. Venue: Elphinstone Hall, Old 19:00 Band: Our old friends – The Blend Tickets: £22.50 More details at westhillwalkers.wordpress.com

Sunday Sheilin of Mark E/M 5th Mar. Another opportunity to learn/practice your navigation skills by attempting 6mi-? 08:00 to find the bothy at Sheilin of Mark near Loch Muick. c.400m Start/Finish NO 307850 Spittal of Glenmuick c.3-4hrs

Sunday Queens View to via Mortlich Hill E/M 19th Mar. A new route for the club going from the Queen’s View near to 8-9mi 09:00 Aboyne via Mortlich Hill. 530m Start NO 527063 Finish NJ527985 4-4.5hrs

Sunday Glen Dye to Clatterin Brig M 2nd Apr. The route goes east from Spital Cottage to the Charr Bothy then turns south 9mi 08:30 before following the line of the old deer dyke to Clatterin Brig. Hopefully 320m there will be a cuppa and fine piece available at the tea room. 5-5.5hrs Start NO 646845 Finish NO 664782 Sunday Ben Tirran M/S 16th Apr. An ascent of the corbett Ben Tirran with views to the spectacular corries 8-9mi 08:00 containing Lochs Wharral and Brandy. 650m Start NO 352715 Finish NO 327730 Clova Inn 5-5.5hrs

Fri/Mon Spring Holiday Weekend at Saddle Mountain Hostel 28th Apr- A repeat visit to this hotel at Invergarry. Now under new management with a new 1st May name. Twenty-two beds available. Contact Lin Masson for further information or to book a bed Tel: 01224 740165 or [email protected]

Sunday A) Sgor Mor M/S 14th May An ascent of the corbett Sgor Mor from Linn of Dee via the Chest of Dee. 12mi 08:00 450m B) Bynack Lodge 6hrs An easier flatter ‘there and back’ walk for the B walkers with the option E/M to turn back safely at any point. From Linn of Dee to White Bridge and 16km/10mi Chest of Dee with the option to continue to the ruined Bynack Lodge. 100m Start/Finish NO 061897 4-4.5hrs

Sunday Carn Ealasaid M/S 28th May From Corgarff Castle the path climbs the corbett Carn Ealasaid. There 9.5mi 08:00 will be a navigation practice from the top of the hill to Beinn a’ 400m Chruinnich at the top of the Lecht ski tows back to the start. 5-5.5hrs Start/Finish NJ 254089

Sunday A) Ben Macdui VS 11th June Route will be decided on the day. Contact the leader in advance. c.15-16mi 07:00. Start/Finish NO 061897 880m 10hrs. B) Mystery Walk 08:00 Walk will be decided on the day and will depend on weather and numbers. E/M Start Westhill Shopping Centre car park 10mi

Sunday A) Mayar and Driesh M/S 25th June Today’s walk bags two munros in one day with a descent by the 10-11mi 08:00 interestingly named Shank of Drumfollow. 800m 6hrs B) Bachnagairn A there and back walk from Glen Clova to Bachnagairn M 7mi Start/Finish NO 283761 4-4.5hrs

Sunday Mount Battock M 9th July The most easterly Corbett in an area of rolling moors with a 9.5 mi. 08:00 straightforward ascent from Glen Esk. 673m 5 -5.5 hrs Start/Finish NO540789 Milden

Sunday A) Glas Maol and Craig Leacach M/S 23rd July An ascent of the two most southerly of the munros in this group. 8mi 08:00 500m B) Glas Maol 5-6hrs Just the one munro for the B walkers with a straightforward ascent and M return to the Ski Centre 5 mi. 417m Start/Finish NO 140781 Glenshee Ski Centre 3.5-4hrs Sunday Hills of Cromdale/Creagan a'Chaise M 6th Aug A pleasant walk climbing the Hills of Cromdale to the large cairn on the 8.5 mi. 08:00 summit of Creagan a' Chaise with excellent panoramic views. 500m 4-5 hrs Start/Finish NJ154265 Car park near Ballcorach

Sunday A) Beinn a Bhuird S 20th Aug. A long walk through the scenic pinewoods of Glen Quoich to 's 18mi 07:30 eleventh highest Munro, with good paths almost all of the way. 959 8-9hrs B) Clais Fhearnaig 08.00 M A circular walk from Linn of Quoich, through the Clais Fhearnaig pass 9.75 mi down to Glen Lui. 390 m Start/Finish NO116909 Allanaquoich 4–4.5 hrs.

Sunday Culardoch M 3rd Sep. This rounded Corbett on the fringes of the Cairngorms offers extensive 12mi 08:00 views into .Ffertile Mainly good tracks to the summit of 580m this hill 6-6.5hrs Start/Finish NO188912 Keiloch Car park NB There is a parking fee at the car park.

Sunday Morven M 17th Sep. Another corbett with extensive views. Steep hill path, with some short 5 mi. 08.00 boggy sections. 655m 5-5.5 hrs Start/Finish NJ411043

Fri/Mon Bullers of E 17th Sep. A walk along the stunning north east coast from to Stirling 9mi 08:30 near Boddam passing the spectacular . 4.5-5hrsi Start NK 093362 Cruden Bay Finish NK 127421 Stirling by Boddam

Fri/Mon Autumn Holiday Weekend at Pitlochry Hydro 22nd/25th Instead of a hostel we are having a hotel break this year. Lots of walking choices from Sep. munros to a stroll to local coffee shops! Book your room at www.coastandcountryhotels.co.uk Three nights DB&B approx. £145 per person in a shared room.

Sunday Mystery walk 24th Sep. For those not going on the weekend there may be a local walk – details later.

Sunday Bullers of Buchan E 1th Oct. A walk along the stunning north east coast from Cruden Bay to Stirling 9mi 08:30 near Boddam passing the spectacular Bullers of Buchan. 4.5-5hrs Start NK093362 Cruden Bay car park Finish NK127421 Stirling by Boddam

Sunday Geallaig Hill M 15th Oct. A walk over Geallaig Hill offering good views of Lochnagar - weather 9.5mi 08.00 permitting! The route can be reduced if some prefer a shorter walk 500m Start/Finish NJ 281000 Braenaloin 6-7hrs

Saturday Quiz Night 21st Oct. Bowling Club Pavilion in Denman Park, Westhill. 19:30 Bring your own refreshments, your brains and your friends for this fun event. Entry fee £3pp. Sunday Glen Tanar M 29th Oct. A repeat of an old favourite. Heading west past Clachan Yell, Black 14mi 08:30 Craig and Red Craig with a return following the course of the Water 570m of Tanar. 6hrs Start/Finish NO480965 Braeloine Car Park

Sunday Pressendye Hill E 12th Nov. A varied route, with farmland, country roads and tracks, a moorland 9mi 09:00 ridge and woodland paths. 556m 4-4.5hrs Start/Finish NJ480043 Tarland Square

Sunday Millstone Hill M 26th Nov. This walk ascends Millstone Hill, a southern neighbour of Bennachie 3 mi + 08:30 through conifer plantations and birchwoods, to the heather hill-top. 2-3 hrs + There is the option to extend the walk to the other tops. Start/Finish NJ672190 Don View car park

Fri-Sun Muir Cottage Christmas Dinner and Walking Weekend 1st/3rd Dec. Option to join the walks on Sat/Sun for those not staying overnight.

Sunday Cairns of Balmoral M 11th Dec. A repeat visit to the Seven Cairns of Balmoral erected to commemorate 6 miles 08:30 members of the British royal family and events in their lives by Queen 350M Victoria. 4 hrs. Start/Finish NO265941 near Royal Lochnagar Distillery

Tuesday Boxing Day Walk E 26th Dec. Our annual stroll along the prom to work off those extra calories. Maybe 8k/5mi 10:00 a stop for coffee and bacon butty on the walk from Bridge of Don to 2-3 hrs Fittie and back. Meet at start of walk Start/Finish NJ 948092 On Esplanade just east of the Bridge of Don