This will be a new route for the club. 

Troup Head is an RSPB reserve.  It has the largest Gannet colony on Scotland’s Mainland. It was devastated with Avian flu ( losing 40% of adult gannets and 90% of chicks) but is making a good recovery. The birds are now returning from wintering at sea. 

There are also Kittiwakes, Guillemots, Razorbills and other species.  We also saw Hares.

You may also see Whales, Dolphins or Porpoises if you are lucky. 

We will walk from Crovie (Crivie ) which is a little village sitting under the cliffs. Settlement since 1297. The Highland clearances in the 1900’s boosted the population to 300 mostly earning a living from fishing..  It was severely damaged in the 1953 storm and the council wanted to have it bulldozed but a campaign to preserve the village was successful  and today it is protected by a conservation order.

We will do the 5 Farms and Troup Head circuit. Starting from Crovie viewpoint and carpark. This is the upper carpark on your left before going down the hill into village. Only local traffic recommended beyond this point. Grid ref NJ807652. It is a circular walk 9.5km / 6 miles. 

Ascent 292 m. 3 to 4 hours depending on stops. 

“A pleasant walk in good weather with a strong head wind at times.  Interesting and high spot the Gannets coming ashore after wintering at sea. You don’t have to be a birdwatcher to enjoy the spectacle. “

A loop of around starting from the Tyrebagger car park (B979) Grid ref: 848 111

(Important – the meeting point is in the 2nd car park if turning left off the A96. Look for
the Green SPARROWS sign then turn left into the Forestry and Land Scotland car park)
There is plenty of space for parking and no charges.
Starting time: 10.30pm
Distance: around 6km
Time: 3 hours (depending on how many tea breaks/stops we have)
Route
From the car park take the waymarked RED route southwards through forest and then turn right at the sign to Elrick hill.
There is a gentle pull on a well-defined path to reach the top of Elrick Hill.
From there follow the path downhill to pick up a set of steep steps which will lead down to the car park for Elrick Hill.
Continue up the rough track to meet the road.
After crossing the road there is a (slightly overgrown) path which leads to a stile.
A feint path takes us uphill in a south direction and then E.S.E to meet the main track which heads to the summit of Brimmond Hill.
At the top we will hopefully have a panoramic view of the surrounding countryside from the sea to the mountains.
From here follow the main track back downhill to the Brimmond Hill car park.
Cross the road to pick up the path which runs through Craibstone Golf course, then head in a northwest-ish direction with the west woods on the right.
The path crosses a small burn then turns west. Follow this, passing the point where we turned off to head up to the summit of Elrick hill.
From here it a short walk back to the carpark.
Hazards to be aware of:
Possibility of cattle in field on the approach to Brimmond Hill. Any dogs must be kept on a
lead at this point.

To book, contact Joyce Ritchie

A midweek walk by car, with car-sharing possibilities for those without.

Depart at 10 am (car-share from Kingswells P&R at 9 am) from small parking area at the access road to Little Mill, immediately on left after crossing bridge over River Girnock on South Deeside road (B976) from Ballater, heading towards Crathie.

We set off on the main track, branching right through a gate and around the base of Creag Ghiubhais, and pick up another track around the base of Creag Nam Ban. Before reaching the drystone dyke, we start to traverse and gently ascend the slope of Creag Nam Ban. After the bealach, we cross the new fence line, and follow it up to the Duchess of Kent’s Cairn and onwards following the ridge line and other cairns to Sgor An h-Iolaire (544m). From the cairn we get great views down to Camlet and across to the Coyles of Muick, and (hopefully) great views of Lochnagar too. We then drop down to Camlet for lunch and pick up the Glen Girnock track back towards Loinveg, Little Mill, and the cars.

Distance : 12.5 km; total ascent 377m; terrain mostly good, but some sections off path. OS map Landranger 44 or Explorer 388.

After the Walk, we can return to Ballater and treat ourselves to coffee/tea and scones at the Rothesay Rooms, which will be open for last orders at 3.30pm.

Contact Issi 

A midweek walk. Travel by car, with car-sharing possibilities for those without.

Contact David Christie: 07731 333 033