Creag nam Ban

12th December Day Walk

Following the Scottish Government and Mountaineering Scotland’s new Guidelines for hillwalking clubs, allowing up to 30 people on an organised club walk, DHC got going again with the first walk since lockdown on Saturday 12th December, which provoked interest from 12 people.

In the end 8 walkers (Gillie, Alan, Susan, Robert, Ali, Tim, Jane, Moira and Dylan the dog) set out from Balmoral vistor centre car park about 9.15 , having parked in a socially distanced way, at least 2 cars apart and after receiving the Covid briefing!

Despite a grim weather forecast it was dry and stayed dry all day. We followed a route borrowed from the Culter hillwalking club, starting by crossing the Dee on a white footbridge.

After passing the distillery entrance we then headed up the landrover track to Bovaglie farm which provided a lovely spot for a socially distanced first lunch.

It was then onto the heather and up towards the first hill, the hill of the eagles, Sgor an Iolaire , though no eagles were to be seen and not much else, as we were in the mist/low cloud.

Before reaching Creag nam Ban we had second lunch in a dip near trees and occasionally the mist lifted a wee bit to give some atmospheric views.

Summit of Creag nam Ban

Looking across the Dee valley to Geallaig hill.

There was no obvious path down although one was marked on the map, so we made our way through more heather and followed a dyke, crossed a couple of fences and then a dubby field eventually onto the South Deeside Road and back to the car park for 3pm. 15km.

Moira