Date/Time

Date(s) - 07/01/2018
9:00 am - 8:30 pm

Walk Details

Pub Stop?: Yes
O/S Map Sheet No.: 30
Grid Ref. Start: 103577
Grid Ref. Finish 132464
Walk (Miles): 9
Walk Hours: 5
Bus Time to Walk:1.5 hrs
Bus Time from Walk: 1 hr
Departure time from walk: 3:30 p.m.


Walk Notes

Link to Full Album

O.S.Map 30 (Fraserburgh).

N.B. 9.00am start from Aberdeen.

The walk today sees your Club back on the Buchan Coastline just south of the RSPB Nature Reserve at Loch of Strathbeg. The walk along the shore ends up at Peterhead (commonly called the “blue toon”) and arguably the biggest whitefish landings port in Western Europe. Our bus will drop us off at the end of the road to Old Rattray and travel southwards to our pickup point in Peterhead. Graham Sangster suggested this walk and your Committee included it in the 2017/2018 Programme. This walk is a through-walk, so members who require a different, or shorter walk, please liaise with your Committee member in charge of the bus today.

The walk commences at the small carpark on the unclassified road to Old Rattray (NGR 103 577). The renovated lighthouse cottages are now privately owned and an eco-hostel complex. Walk (E’wards) through the sand dunes to the beach and its spectacular lighthouse built on the “Ron Reef”. Once on the beach, head southwards for about 7.5miles passing the towers of the St, Fergus gas terminal. Cross the footbridge (NGR 105 532) over the South Blackwater burn before reaching Scotstown Head, Kirktown Head and eventually Craigewan (Peterhead Golf Club) near the mouth of the River Ugie. At this point, turn right and head inland, W’wards, for about 100m to a concrete bridge over the river. This is the “George Birnie Memorial Footbridge” built in memory of one of Peterhead’s harbour managers and part funded by his son Alexander, who made his fortune in the Australian pearl diving industry, in the early 1900’s. Cross the bridge, turn left (E’wards) and walk along a railings protected path beside the river, This route passes through the villages of Buchanhaven and Ronheads before arriving at the large fishing harbour of Peterhead. Walk along Roanheads Road and Port Henry Road, to gain the north end of St. Peter’s Street. Walk (SW’wards) along this street to the combined Library and Arbuthnott Museum near the traffic lights junction with Queen’s Street. Our bus will be parked nearby (NGR 132 464). Walking distance approx. 9 miles

Bus departs at 3.30pm for our annual festive meal at Buchan Hotel, Ellon.

In the event of an emergency arising, the person in charge of the outing should be contacted, if possible, before the police are contacted.

Relevant telephone number for Grampian police is 0845 600 5700 or 999.

Committee member in charge today is Frank Kelly

The Buchan Hotel, Ellon
Carvery Menu
Starters
Soup of the Day
Fresh Melon, Fruits & Sorbet
Battered Mushrooms with Garlic Mayonnaise
Cheese & Bacon Potato Skins
*****
Carvery
A Choice of 3 Meats
Scotch Beef, Roast Gammon, Roast Turkey
Served with a Host of Vegetables, Pigs in Blankets
Yorkshire Puddings, Oatmeal Stuffing, Gravy
*****
Chef’s Sweet of the Day
Sticky Toffee Pudding
Strawberry Pavlova

1 Course – £12.50
2 Courses – £15.00
3 Courses – £17.50

The hotel has requested we give them our choice of starters and sweets which we will hand in on the outward journey. Please have your choices ready as it is a short journey to Ellon!!

Bookings

Online bookings are closed for this event. Please contact Gilbert to find out if there are spaces available.