For our walk today, a group of 30 travelled south to Glen Clova for the start of the route known as Jock’s Road. It was named after John (Jock) Winter, a shepherd who was involved during the 1880’s along with the Scottish Rights of Way Society in a dispute with landowners over the right of way route. We set off from Braedownie and were soon climbing steadily through Glendoll forest to reach “Davie’s Bourach”, a shelter hut on the path. The small metal front door has recently been painted in a striking Royal Mail red colour. This proved to be a good lunch stop for many. Thereafter, we proceed uphill to reach the summit plateau where various route options were taken. Some members continued on Jock’s Road by descending into Glen Callater and travelling along the loch side path to Callater lodge and bothy, while others traversed Tolmount and skirted around Corrie Kander before also descending to Callater lodge. A third group headed north via Fafernie towards Carn an t-Sagairt Mor to pick up the path before descending north west on the high ground above Loch Callater to also arrive at the lodge. Another 2 members travelled in the bus to Baddoch in Glen Clunie where they then walked over the Bealach Buidhe to Loch Callater. Everyone had to negotiate the final 3 miles along the glen to Auchallater where the bus was parked. On arrival, it was discovered that 2 members had inadvertently climbed over Carn an t-Sagairt Mor and descended to Invercauld. A phone call established their whereabouts and we picked them up at Keiloch on the way home. We stopped in Ballater for a short pub stop before returning to Aberdeen.Throughout the day, we had very good walking weather with clear visibility and good views of all the surrounding hills. Frank
