Potarch to Aboyne (Falls of Dess) **Festive Meal **

O.S. Map 37 (Strathdon).

Bus departs Aberdeen at 9.00am.

Today, your Club are back on Deeside to walk along the Deeside Way as far as Kincardine O’Neil then uphill towards The Falls of Dess. We then pick up the old Deeside Railway line that linked Torphins to Aboyne (NGR 529 986). We will have our Festive Meal at the Burnett Arms in Banchory. This is a through walk, so members who will not be doing this walk, and propose to do an alternative walk, please discuss with your committee member in charge of the outing today and make your intentions with that person, prior to you leaving the bus.

The walk commences at the Potarch Bridge car park (NGR 608 974) and we follow the path of the Deeside Way approx. 3.3 km to Kincardine O’Neill. Take the road on the right, at the far side of the village towards Townhead. At a split in the road, veer left at a house with a stone walled garden on your right and after about half a mile, pass through a gate. Further on, at a waypoint sign, (do not follow the path which veers left), but go straight ahead on an overgrown path and eventually come to a big house. Keep going uphill and at another split in the path, go left and soon pass through a gate with a style to its left. Continue on your route and go downhill through the forest, taking the left branch about halfway downhill and continue downhill and follow the path to eventually visit the Falls of Dess. Keep on the path, high above the falls and soon go downhill on an overgrown path, to cross the newish bridge over the river. (At a signpost – do not go uphill back to Kincardine O’ Neill). Your ongoing route, after crossing the bridge, goes uphill in zigzags to cross the metalled road (with care) coming from Lumphanan. This route eventually joins the old Deeside Railway line, coming from Lumphanan and follows the line all the way to Aboyne, passing the Lochside Holiday park and the Aboyne golf course on route. Our bus will be parked near the old square in Aboyne (NGR 528 986). Walking distance Approx. 8 miles.

Bus leaves Aboyne at 2.30pm for Banchory.

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

Relevant telephone number for the police is 999.

Committee member in charge of the outing is Frank Kelly