It will shortly be the 2nd anniversary of the loss of our friend and club member Steve Barnes. With this in mind, I have proposed a walk in his memory to take place on Saturday 2nd September at 9am. The intention is to set off from the car par park at Invermark Glen Esk and walk to Johnny Gordons Bothy ( NO 392-816 ) then return to the Falls of Unich where those that choose to have the option of returning to the car park. The walk will then continue up to the Falls of Damff, over Cairn Lick and down the Shank of Inchgrundle to return to Invermark. Steves father Walter Barnes who is also a club member would be delighted if any club member wishes to join us on this memorable occasion. Please can anyone wishing to join us email the address below by Monday 14th August 2023 at the latest.
The walk starts in Abernethy and heads south from the village for a circuit through Pitmedden Forest. Members will meet at 09.00 at the memorial in the square near the Round Tower at the top of School Wynd, map reference NO190164.
There is an interesting article on the area, written by Alan Rowan, available via the ‘SIGN UP’ button to the right of this page.
Parking in the vicinity can be congested and alternative options include the area off the main A913 road accessed from the junction by The Corn Kist / Douglas House (NO188165), the Inn Close Car Park in the village, a small, free car park operated by the council, signed from the west and accessed from the junction at NO189163, or the School Staff Car Park, which is private but for which we have permission from the Head Teacher, and is located at NO191165.
The walk is a well-signed forest circuit suitable for all ages on good tracks, paths, farm lanes, and with some pavement walking. Dogs are welcome on the forest trails but the route also passes through sheep fields where signs advising access restrictions for dogs have been posted in the past. Such a restriction would apply if lambs or calves are in the field, otherwise dogs should be kept on a short lead where animals are present.
The proposed route covers a distance of 12.6km / 8miles, with ascent of 390m / 1280ft and is expected to take 3.5-4.5 hours. Following the walk, an option for some refreshment is the Jamesfield Garden Centre, to the east of Abernethy (NO 201173), which has a café / restaurant open until 17.00.
Members are asked to indicate their intention to participate to the Local Day Meet Coordinator, Dave Gibson, by emailing localmeets@grampianclub.org.uk (or via the sign up button) including their mobile number, by Tuesday 29th November latest. Dave will circulate further information and members’ contact details within the group on Wednesday 30th November to enable transport sharing opportunities to be coordinated. Members email addresses and contact numbers will be shared within the group unless the member indicates to the Coordinator that they do not want their personal information shared.
If the Local Day Meet Coordinator is not present on the day, the group should nominate a coordinator who will be responsible for ensuring that all members are accounted for, and for reporting back to the Local Day Meet Coordinator to confirm that members have returned safely.
Route details –
From Abernethy Tower, cross main street and turn right up Kirk Wynd (signed: Path to Glen Road). Continue on Witches Road (signed) path south to old quarry.
Take woodland path on left and follow as it climbs alongside fenced fields and through couple of gates to another signed junction. Go straight ahead, following path for Abernethy Glen, as it curves to right along field edge to Turflundie.
Go through wooden gate and head left past buildings as signed, then straight ahead on woodland track. At signed junction, go left (Pitmedden Forest paths) and follow loop round to next junction where you turn left again.
Keep heading north-east along county boundary until reaching vehicle barrier and meeting of tracks. Take middle one heading straight uphill.
Take next left to loop round Pitcairlie Hill and arrive back at vehicle barrier.
Pass through and take track on right through dark tree corridor (signed for Abernethy). When track curves right at edge of trees, leave it and take woodland path on left until reaching gate.
Turn left on grass path through field with wall and fence to your left to reach another gate.
Continue on rough track as it works its way downhill through fields to Gattaway farm. Go to right around farm buildings, walk down lane to A913, then turn left to head back to start
The next Local Day Meet organised by the Club will be on Sunday 23rd October at The Lomond Hills, near Falkland. Members will meet at 09.00 at the Craigmead Car Park, map reference NO 227063. This circular walk is mostly on well-established paths, tracks and roads, and takes in several interesting features including West Lomond, Glen Vale, Carlin Maggie, and passes the Holl and Ballo Reservoirs. This map provides details of the proposed route:
Members are asked to indicate their intention to participate to the Local Day Meet Coordinator, Dave Gibson, by emailing localmeets@grampianclub.org.uk including their mobile number, by Tuesday 18th October latest. Dave will circulate members’ contact details within the group on Wednesday 19th October to enable transport sharing opportunities to be coordinated. Members email addresses and contact numbers will be shared within the group unless the member indicates to the Coordinator that they do not want their personal information shared. If the Local Day Meet Coordinator is not present on the day, the group should nominate a coordinator who will be responsible for ensuring that all members are accounted for, and for reporting back to the Local Day Meet Coordinator to confirm that members have returned safely.
The image used in the main Events menu to promote this walk is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license.
Attribution: Richard Webb
The next Club Local Day Meet will be on Saturday 2nd July. Details are as follows……..
This meet will provide members with the chance to refresh their navigation skills on the moorland above the Clova Hotel and Loch Brandy. The meet will be coordinated by Penny Lockwood who holds the Mountain Leader qualification. Members will have the opportunity to use map and compass as an aid to navigation.
Members should meet at 09.00 at the free car park which is situated on the left side of the road 100 metres past the Clova Hotel (NO 3259 7353). The meet will finish by no later than 15.30.
If you wish to participate, please use the ‘Contact us’ page to contact Penny Lockwood by Wednesday 29th June. Penny will email participating members’ contact details a few days prior to the meet to enable opportunities for car sharing.
