Glen Gelder - Day Walk Plan A

Sunday 28 January 2024

Impossible high winds were forecast so the DHC opted for a low-level walk around Glen Gelder with a planned lunch stop at the Gelder Shiel bothy. I was expecting many call offs but no, 13 members and Dan the dog turned up at the Crathie carpark. After the usual difficulties in finding the correct track to start on, caused by trespassing through the golf course, we were soon on our way heading west and following the river upstream. We struck uphill just before reaching Connachat Cottage and took elevenses. On leaving the woods we really did feel the strengthening winds that had been forecast.

The wind picked up as we turned east from the ‘stable’ and then upwards towards the Gelder Shiel bothy. We were glad to get inside and managed to squeeze in to find a perch for all of us. The bothy has been improved in recent years and was quite comfortable with bunks and a stove.

By the time we exited the bothy after lunch, the wind had increased significantly and we were grateful to have it on our backs as we made our way downhill and back to Balmoral.

A short day but all were pleased to have enjoyed a few hours outdoors and stayed dry. Over coffee at the Bakehouse a plan was proposed to tackle Plan ‘A’ the next day when the weather forecast was much more benign.

Attendees : Gail, Iain, Graham N, Ken, James, Gordon, Alan, Steve, Ruth, Jane, Bob, Ben, and Sandy.

Plan ‘A’ – Fasheilach & the Shieling of Mark

Monday 29 January 2024

Four of the Sunday group; Gail (and Midge), Ken, Alan and Sandy plus Chris and Robert B met up on a calm but cold morning to search out the Shieling of Mark bothy. Starting from Glen Muick we strode up the track and then cut across Hunt Hill to reach the trig pillar on Fasheilach at a height of 721m. No wind and clear skies rewarded us with great views all round.

The ground from Fasheilach to the bothy was very rough – rank, tussocky grasses, peat hags and heather. We were fortunate to have good visibility as there were few features to pick out; in clag good navigation would be essential. We did however challenge ourselves to find the bothy without technology and Ken and Robert came up trumps. The bothy on the Dalhousie estate was small but clean and tidy. It was built as a shelter for the deer watcher – Robert had already given us a little of the history of the area and this had been a deer forest.

Pic Day2_4

The route back to Glen Muick was more straightforward and we quickly found the gorge holding the Allt Darraire that I know as the Fairy Glen – I have tried without success to find any substance to this name. It is a lovely, deep sided cutting with the burn running steeply down to the Spittal.

After crossing the new bridge Sandy realised that he had left the keys of vehicle one inside vehicle two: problem being that vehicle two was parked 2.5km down the glen at the start point! So, Sandy and Ken route marched down the road to retrieve the car and keys while the others waited patiently!

Great day though and an enjoyable route.

Sandy