MANNOFIELD CHURCH HILLWALKING AND RAMBLING CLUB

PROGRAMME FOR 2009

Monday 26 January. AGM in the Centenary Hall, followed by an illustrated talk from
Malcolm Webster an experienced mountaineer, photographer and artist.

Saturday 28 February. Hill of Fare (OS Map 38). Start south of Echt at NJ742044 on the B977. Proceed on tracks to Greymore and Blackyduds. Leave the track and cross to a top at NJ673029, join another track leading to Craigrath. Descend on tracks to Cluny Crichton Castle and Raemoir (14.5 km, 500 m ascent, 5 hours). Return to Aberdeen by 15:30.

Saturday 28 March. Glen Dye and Cairn o’ Mount. (OS Map 45). Start at NO647845 on the B934 and walk up Glen Dye past the waterworks to the bothy. Cross the Water of Dye at the bridge and follow the Water of Charr for 2.5 km then ascend Hound Hillock. Cross to Whitelaws and walk to the Cairn o’ Mount car park (11.5 km, 470 m ascent, 4 hours). A shorter route is to walk up Glen Dye and return to the start. Return to Aberdeen by 15:30.

Saturday 25 April. Mount Keen. (OS Map 44). Start at the InverMark car park (NO447804) and walk up Glen mark past the Queen’s well then ascend by paths to the summit of Mount Keen. The return is by the same route (18 km, 680 m ascent, 6 hours). A shorter walk is available along Loch Lee from the same starting point. High tea at the Retreat, Tarfside. Return to Aberdeen 19:30.

Saturday 9 May. Church Outing to Glen Tanar, for all ages in the congregation. Travel to the Glen Tanar car park, arriving around 12 noon for a picnic followed by a walk. There are many easy walks in the glen and the fittest can go further into the hills.

Friday 29-Sunday 31 May. Weekend away at Ullapool. (OS Sheet 15). Travel by car and everyone is responsible for booking their own accommodation. The aim is to climb a couple of the hills to the north of Ullapool, such as Quinag, Ben Mor Coigach and Conival.

Saturday 27 June. Beinn a’Bhuird. Travel by car and park near the Linn of Quoich. Start at 10:00 and walk up the west side of Glen Quoich and ascend the mountain by the direct route to the north summit. Return along the plateau to the south summit then descend to the west to rejoin the outward route (28 km, ascent 870 m, 9.5 hours).

Saturday 29 August. Glen Ey and An Socach. (OS Map 43). Start at Inverey and walk up Glen Ey to the bridge at NO101849 then ascend the hill to the SE reaching a top at NO111843. Walk along the high ground to Sgor Mor then a top at NO102818 leading to An Socach. Walk to the westerly end and descend steeply to the burn leading to Altanour Lodge. Walk down the river to Inverey (24.5 km, c.975 ascent, 8.5 hours). There are several shorter and easier walks in this area such as a circuit of Creag an Lochan, the ridge of Carn na Moine and the river walk. Chips in Braemar. Return to Aberdeen 20:00.

Saturday 26 September. Spittal of Glenshee and Ben Earb. (OS Map 43). Start at the Spittal of Glenshee and walk up Coire Lairige to Creag an Dubh Shialc, then continue to Ben Earb. Walk NE via Meall a’ Choire Bhuidhe and descend to Glen Lochsie. Return along a track on the south side of the glen to the starting point (15 km, 860 m ascent, 6 hours). An easier route is to walk along the north side of the glen via Dalmunzie House to Glenlochdale Lodge and return by the south side track. Return to Aberdeen 18:00.

Saturday 31 October. Glen Tanar from Deeside. (OS Map 44). Start at Tombae on the B976 (NO433965). Walk up the track to the Black Moss and Cairn Nairvie and descend to Etnach in Glen Tanar. Walk down the forest road to the Glen Tanar House area and the car park (15 km, 430 m ascent, 5 hours). Easier walks are to be found within Glen Tanar. Return to Aberdeen 16:30.

AGM and Dinner. Date to be decided.

The walks in February, March, April, August, September and October use a bus, start from Mannofield Kirk and leave at 8:00 am sharp. The walk in June will use private cars.

Contact:
Secretary
Peter Stewart
147 Duthie Terrace
Aberdeen, AB10 7PT

Tel: 313721
e-mail: p.stewart1@btinternet.com