We had 22 walkers booked on the bus for today’s outing up Royal Deeside.
There was a slight drizzle as we left Aberdeen which soon dissipated as we travelled westwards to our various starting points.
After a comfort break in Ballater the bus travelled towards Crathes & took the Old Military Road (B975) to Braenaloin which was the starting point for Walk 1.
Walk 1: Braenaloin to Keiloch via the River Gairn with Option of the Corbett Cullardoch.
11 walkers disembarked at Braenaloin to start the main through walk. On the route one of our walkers had an opportunityto view the inside of Corndavon Lodge as it was an open day on the estate. The weather remained ideal for walking – no hot sun & no rain – although there were a few midges on the prowl as there was little wind. 8 walkers took the option to go off the track & do a bit of heather bashing to take in Cullardoch (900 metres). This is a Corbett & only 14.4 metres off Munro height. The remaining 3 walkers decided to leave the Corbett for another day.
Walk 3: The Garbh Allt Falls & Back – a Circular Walk
After dropping off the walkers at Braenaloin the bus returned to the A93 & continued on to the car park at Keiloch where the remaining 11 walkers disembarked to commence the circular walk to the bridge at Garbh Allt falls. This group stopped at the Honka House for a tea break before continuing on to the dam. This was a small extension to the planned route as everyone was fit & happy to stretch their legs a little further. Two walkers decided to miss out on the dam extension as they were keen to get back to Keiloch in time to take on Walk 2 which involved a Fog House & the memorial benches of two former Club Members.
All walkers returned to the bus well before the planned departure time of 6:00 pm so there was ample time for a pub stop in Ballater on the way home. Our driver Kyle got us back in Aberdeen around 7:00 pm which was well in advance of our published time.
Gilbert