Gay Outdoor Club: Aberdeen Walks 2008

Contact details for Aberdeen Group

Intending participants for these events should always ring the contact beforehand to check the detailed arrangements regarding meeting times and places, food, accommodation, etc. Everything possible will be done to keep to this programme, but weather conditions or other unforeseen circumstances may necessitate changes at the last minute. Ring the organiser beforehand to find out if there have been any last-minute changes. It also helps the organiser to know that you are attending in order to help to arrange transport. Bookings at Scottish Youth hostels may be made via the SYHA web site (www.syha.org.uk) or via the central reservations on 08701 553255.

Thursday 3 - Sunday 6 January. Mar Lodge. Post-Hogmanay long weekend, based in a three-star self catering apartment in Mar Lodge, near Braemar.

Sunday 20 January. Inaugural walk for new Aberdeen GOC group. Walk up Millstone Hill and Bennachie, Aberdeenshire.

Friday 8 - Sunday 10 February. Weekend somewhere snowy. Ski-ing if conditions permit, otherwise hillwalking.

Friday 7 - Sunday 9 March. Weekend at Slochd, possible cross country skiing.

Friday 21 - Monday 24 March. Joint Easter Weekend with GOC Transpennine at Ninebanks YH. Communal evening meals. The hostel is now fully booked, but check with co-ordinator in case of any cancellations.

Friday 11 - Sunday 13 April. Arran, ridge walking.

Friday 2 - Monday 5 May. Glenbrittle, scrambling and walking in the Cuillin. Joint with 18-39.

Friday 23 - Monday 26 May. Wilderness backpacking, Fisherfield,

Friday 13 - Sunday 15 June. Achmelvich. Hillwalking in Assynt - Suilven, Quinag and Ben More Assynt are all possibilities. Accommodation is either at Achmelvich Youth Hostel (bookings on 08701 553255) or at the adjacent Shore Campsite (Mr & Mrs I MacLeod; 01571 844393; Fax 01571 844782).

Friday 27 - 29 June. Mountain biking.

Friday 11 - Sunday 13 July. Torridon, hillwalking and some easy scrambling. Objectives are Liathach and possibly Beinn Eighe. I'm intending to use Torridon YH. Could members make their own bookings with the SYHA.

Friday 1 - Monday 4 August. Annual Outdoor Gathering, Worcester.

Friday 15 - Sunday 17 August. Edinburgh Festival weekend.

Friday 22 - Sunday 24 August. Scottish Highlands. Camping weekend near Corrievuic. A chance to get into the Gleann Fhiodhaig hills.

Friday 12 - Sunday 14 September. At the AGM in Oban it was agreed that the GOC would be happy to be associated with and to help the Mountain Bothies Association in caring for a bothy in recognition and thanks for the presence of bothies which provide much needed accommodation for walkers and to promote, through our work, the GOC. Culra bothy in the Central highlands is "our bothy" - at the foot of Ben Alder, southwest of Dalwhinnie on the route through to Corrour. It's a busy and important bothy.
The building needs some maintenance - mainly painting to protect the wood. Two members have installed gutters and done some woodwork repairs already. In general the bothy is in very good order.
For the weekend of Friday 12th - Sunday 14th we are planning a workparty. The more there are of us the easier it will be to get through the work - painting the outside and the inside of the two smaller rooms - nothing too strenuous. If you do come and I know of you coming I will feed you - it will be basic, safe for vegetarians and carnivores, but not food faddists. I think that a fair number may come by train and bring bikes - it's necessary to book in advance. A bike is very helpful and saves a lot of time in getting there. If we get through the work and the weather is at all kind we can go up a Munro or two - they abound in that region. A party rather than work atmosphere will dominate - come and promote the GOC, climb a hill and do some good all at the same time - who says men can't multi-task! Contact the co-ordinator if you intend to help.

Friday 26 - Sunday 28 September. The Glen Lyon weekend has been postponed/cancelled.

Friday 17 - Monday 19 October. Grey Corries, hillwalking and scrambling.

Friday 7 - Sunday 9 November. Ardgour,

Gay Outdoor Club: Aberdeen Walks 2009

Friday 10 - Monday 13 April. The joint Scottish Transpennine Easter weekend will be at Marthrown of Mabie.

For further information see the GOC Outdoors magazine.