We left Aberdeen on an overcast day with a nearly full bus of 33 walkers arriving in Banff just after 10.30am. Four lingered near the start to have a look round Duff House while the rest headed up the track to Bridge of Alvah pausing to have a look at the ice house and the Mausoleum erected in the 18th century by the landowner at the time; James Duff. On the approach to the bridge we could hear some excited voices who turned out to be the Westhill walking group we had last encountered on the Balmoral Cairns walk on 1st November last year. After passing Montcoffer farm we turned north towards the distillery detouring past Kirkside walking down the riverside on a surfaced road. Some went over the Hill of Doune to have a look at the monument there while others followed the pavement round the shore to the bus. Refreshments were taken at The Old Moray and The Park hotel where the day’s walk was discussed. We departed half an hour early at 3.30pm arriving back in Aberdeen about 5pm. Hamish
