CHAIRMAN – KEITH MASSON (740165)      SECRETARY – GRAHAM DENYER (326143)

WHAT CAN WE OFFER

Please feel free to come along and join us as a guest on any of our Sunday walks or summer evening walks.  The point of departure for the Sunday walks is the car park at the Westhill shopping centre. We normally gather at the start point for the evening walks. Time of departure is indicated on the programme.  The programme also indicates whether it is a car, mini-bus or bus outing.  If you are coming along as a guest could you please notify the walk leader, indicated on the walking programme.  

 As well as the regular Sunday walks we have two long weekend outings a year which take us further afield and occasionally other extended trips. In previous years we have been to Skye, Arran, Mull, the far northwest, Knoydart, Ullapool, just to mention a few and have returned to our favourite, Skye, on a number of occasions.  Throughout the year there is a variety of other events such as a ceilidh evening, a barbecue evening, a quiz night, bowling night and a recent addition, a curling night,  and of course, our traditional Boxing Day walk.

Grades of Walks

 Easy, low level, limited climbing, good tracks, paths or minor roads but occasional mud; normally 5-10 miles.

 Moderate terrain, some rough stuff, heather bashing and climbing; boots essential and a reasonable degree of fitness  required; normally 8-12 miles

Strenuous walking often in high mountain country with steep ascents & descents; occasional lower level walks graded strenuous because of their length; boots and fitness required; previous experience helpful but not essential; normally 10-15 miles, occasionally longer.

    Bus Outings

Please phone the leader by Thursday evening prior to the walk; if there are two walks, phone the “A” leader first.  Bus charges typically £10, depending upon the distance, for adult members, guests or visitors.  Children under 16 travel free.  The mini-bus can carry up to 15 with any overspill in cars.

 Conduct of Walks

For our own mutual safety and pleasure we have to maintain an unobtrusive level of discipline:

Please follow the Leader’s general advice and directions. The Leader will appoint a Back Marker who is responsible for checking numbers in the party and for staying with any stragglers.  The Back Marker must be equipped with map, compass, whistle and basic first aid kit.  He/she must be aware of the intended route and any possible deviations. If you are dropping back for any reason, inform the Back Marker. If a small party wishes to deviate from or extend the route, advise the Leader of your route and agree on where/when you will rendezvous with the main party. If the party splits into two groups of different speed/ability, there must be a Leader and Back Marker for each group. The Leader must control the speed of the party so that members of each group stay in visual touch – this is particularly important in poor visibility. Keep to established paths and tracks wherever possible, to reduce erosion.  Individual members are also responsible for keeping in visual touch with the rest of the party. Dogs are at the Leader’s discretion.  Owners are responsible for keeping them under control at all times, including meal stops.  They must be on the lead where necessary.

 General

All participants in outings, whether members, guests or visitors, should note that they take part at their own risk and neither the Club nor the Committee can be held liable for personal accident, injuries or other incidents however caused.  Participants accept liability for any damage caused by themselves, their children or their dogs.

Participants should be properly equipped for the outing – waterproofs, ankle support footwear, extra clothing and sufficient food and drink for the day.  For remote outings we also recommend map, compass, whistle, torch, survival bag and emergency rations.  Respect other people’s property; leave gates as you find them. 

Leave nothing behind but your footprints; take nothing away but your rubbish!

  HOW TO JOIN

To become a full member of the club the annual subscription is £11-00 for a single membership or £17-00 for a family membership.  Please contact club secretary or club chairman.

Once you become a full member you will receive a membership card, which entitles you to a discount on any purchases you make at certain outdoor activity shops in Aberdeen.  You will also receive a copy of our quarterly newsletter. Hope to see you soon on one of our walks. Happy walking,

A LITTLE BIT OF HISTORY

March 2008 saw a milestone in the history of the Westhill Walkers – our 20^th anniversary and we still have a few club members that are still with us since those early days. Credit for the idea lies with Elsie Duncan, who sadly passed away in 2006 aged over 90.  In February 1988 she and a couple of friends advertised a meeting in order to form a walking club. About a dozen turned up and a committee was formed to organize a further public meeting. That meeting was at Westhill Academy on 17^th March and a walk was organized for the following Sunday. There were 50 names on the original attendance list and it was agreed to form ourselves as an affiliate of the Ramblers Association.

Our first walk on Sunday 20^th March 1988 was a five mile circuit of Westhill via Sclattiebrae, Kinmundy and Brodiach. Before the walk commenced there was a group photo taken by the Press & Journal which appeared in the edition of Monday 21^st March, At least a dozen in that picture were appearing regularly on walks ten years later. Our second walk was more adventurous, to Glen Tanar . We rapidly raised our sights and in that first season, as well as some easy walks, we tackled Easter Balmoral to Loch Muick, Lochnagar, Clochnaben and the Lairig Ghru.

By the time of the first AGM on 19^th October 1988 we had 92 members and ever since then our membership has been in the region of  75-100 members. Our walks are a little more adventurous these days but we still offer three grades of walks (see details below). In 1989 we had our first weekend away. These weekends are become an integral part of the club calendar and have included trips to Skye, Arran and Mull as well as the Western and NW Highlands.  

We have active walking and social committees who put together our programme for the year. (See details below for forthcoming walks and events). In 1998 the first of our quarterly newsletters was issued and this year marks its 10^th anniversary. The newsletter contains many items of interest from the world of walking, news items, club photographs from our walks and general club notices. In November 2008 we will be celebrating our 20^th anniversary with a gathering at the Cults Hotel.

FORTHCOMING WALKS

AUGUST

6 AUG - WED EVENING.   

Hazlehead Park Circular. Easy 5km OS Map 38. Leader Geraldine Davey, 01224 311765. Meet 1930 at Hazlehead Golf Club Car Park. 

SUNDAY 10 AUG - Breac Leathad -College of Scalan-Tom Trumper Circular. Moderate. 18.6km. OS Map 36. Cars depart Westhill 0800. Leader John MacKenzie, 01224 714001

20 AUG - WED EVENING.  

Port Elphinstone River & Canal Walk. Easy. 7km. OS Map 38. Leader Lin Masson, 01224 740165.  Meet 1930 at car park just south of River Don bridge, Inverurie

SUNDAY 24 AUG -  (a) Glen Girnock Circular. Moderate. 14.3km. OS Map 44. Leader Heb Nicol, 01224 483959

 (b) Glen Girnock to Lochnagar Distillery. Easy 10km. OS Map 44. Leader to be announced. Cars depart Westhill 0830 for both walks

 SEPTEMBER

SUNDAY 7 SEP - Glen Fearder Circular. Moderate. 15.3km. OS Maps 43, 44. Cars depart Westhill 0900. Leader Brian Davey 01224 311765

AUTUMN HOLIDAY  FRI 19- MON 22 SEPTEMBER

The venue for the 2008 Autumn  Holiday weekend will be at the Station Lodge, Tulloch.  A favourite venue for the Westhill Walkers at Tulloch Railway Station. 

£42 per person for the weekend. Book early to guarantee one of 24 places.  For further information contact Lin & Keith Masson, 01224 740165

OCTOBER

SUNDAY 5 OCT – Portsoy to Cullen. Easy to Moderte. 13km. OS Map 29. Cars depart Westhill 0830. Leader Heather Wood , 01224 745724

SUNDAY 19 OCT – Loch Lee, Falls of Unich, Falls of Damff to Cairn Lick and Shank of Inchgrundle. Moderate to Strenuous. 17km. OS Map 44. Cars depart Westhill 0830. Leader Heb Nicol, 01224 483959.