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Sat 14th December: Dufftown Walk and Lunch. We walked by the Dullan Burn to the Giant’s Chair, returned by quiet road to Mortlach, then up to Golf Course to return to Dufftown by Glenrinnes Way. Some ups and downs. Distance 4.5miles. Lunch at Commercial Hotel, soup and sandwiches, mince pie and tea and coffee.

Sat 9th November:

Quarrel Wood Walk.

Coming from west pass Fochabers Square and continue through lights to Museum (old Church) on left and Chip Shop on right. Turn right here into East Street, and continue just past play park and tennis court to park in front of Public Toilets on left, or nearby. Route is mainly through woods. Paths generally good, but muddy and rough in places. Walk has 600ft of easy as-cent (only steep stretches). Downhill after Jean Carr’s Stone. 

There is no write up or photographs of this walk at the moment, but it did go ahead!

Take A95 to Cromdale. Pass through traffic lights then look for right turn signposted to Church. Follow this to Church car park before Church on right – this side of bridge over Spey. We walk through Anagach Woods to the outskirts of Grantown, then back by the River Spey. Note Going back by Spey dogs should be kept on leads through farming land. Lovely walk with open pine woods, river views and good paths. Mainly level. 

Starting Point: Take A95 Grantown road. Less than a mile before Gran-town turn left on B970 signposted Coylumbridge/Nethybridge. Go through Nethybridge, and in about 4 miles turn right at signpost for Boat of Garten. The main road through the village turns at right angles to the left, and then to the right. After this look out for Andersons Restaurant on left and bus stop nearby, and park where you can. Bus: from Boat of Garten we take bus to Aviemore. Get off bus at Burnside South bus stop. Route: from outskirts of Aviemore by Spey-side Way to Boat of Garten. Distance: 5½ miles. Walk is mainly level, and paths are good. Wear boots or strong footwear. 

THE WALK:

After three days of persistent and at times torrential rain, it was perhaps no surprise that only five of us pitched up for the monthly walk on August 10th.  Meeting at Boat of Garten, we took the bus to Aviemore and walked back.  The sun was out, and we had a delightful moorland walk.  Along the way we picked beautifully sweet geans, the last of the raspberries, and the mushroom lovers were thrilled to find a bounty of chanterelles. We saw many butterflies and moths among the heather as well as some impressive ants’ nests.  While we had our piece, the steam train went past, a special treat.  Yes, we did get damp on the final stretch into Boat of Garten, but all in all a lovely day with stunning views of the Cairngorms.  Do join us next time, we need you.

Lorna