Huntly to Keith via The Bin Forest and Balloch Wood – NB 2nd pick up point changed from Great Southern Rd to Junction at Riverside Drive/Place Due to Roadworks at George V1 Bridge

Date/Time

Date(s) - 28/04/2019
8:00 am - 5:30 pm

Walk Details

Pub Stop?: No
O/S Map Sheet No.: 28 & 29
Grid Ref. Start: 505419
Grid Ref. Finish 432502
Walk (Miles): 12
Walk Hours: 6.5
Bus Time to Walk:1.5 hrs
Bus Time from Walk: 1.5 hrs
Departure time from walk: 4:00 pm

Walk Notes

AHWC – HUNTLY to KEITH (via The Bin Forest and Balloch Wood)

28th April 2019 O.S.Maps 28 and 29 (Elgin and Banff).

Today, we are back in Aberdeenshire, to walk the forest tracks between Huntly and Keith. NGR = the map reference i.e. (National Grid Reference). We will be dropped off at the carpark at The Bin of Huntly (NGR 505 419) and our bus will go through to the Keith carpark at Meikle Balloch Wood.
Various walks are available, but The Bin to Meikle Balloch at Keith is the main walk. Members who wish to complete one of the alternatives should indicate their wishes with the committee member in charge, so that early discussions can take place with the driver. They should do this before leaving the bus.  
The main walk commences at NGR 505 419 at The Bin carpark, just off the A96. Take the track heading northwards to NGR 506 425. Go NE’ wards to NGR 512 434 then N’wards to NGR 509 446. Go E’wards to NGR 512 448. Turn N’wards towards Brownhill Plantation and onwards to Ruthven. Take the road NW towards Hallgreen (NGR 495 478) and then W’wards to join a track in The Balloch Wood just north of Sittinghillock. Head N’wards passing a junction at NGR 478 489 and onwards to NGR 477 503. Turn W’wards on the north side of Meikle Balloch and at NGR 461 495 take the right hand branch at the junction to gain the unclassified road which passes Mains of Auchoynanie and Dunnyduff Wood. The road twists and turns before entering the outskirts of Keith and onwards to our bus at the coach/lorry park at NGR 435 501.
Distance approx. 12 miles.
Bus departs at 4pm.

In the event of an emergency arising, the person in charge of the outing should first be notified, if possible, before the police or the emergency services are contacted. Relevant telephone number for the police is 999.

Committee member in charge today is Heather Eddie (Mob Tel. 07751 880793).

Please note.  The second pick up point at Great Southern Road has been changed for this one walk. The bus will pick up at the BT Building in College Street and will then proceed to Holburn Street via Fonthill Road. Near the end of Holburn Street (going towards Anderson drive) the bus will turn left into Riverside Place and will stop near the bend at the junction with Riverside Drive. There should be plenty of parking places available in the “dead end” of Riverside Drive.

It is anticipated that we will revert to our usual pick-up point in Great Southern Road in future walks after Sunday’s walk.

I should advise also that we are picking up some walkers at Bucksburn (near the Police Station) and at the layby on the A96 just before “Morrison’s” roundabout at Inverurie. Please let me know if you wish to be picked up at these points.

 

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