Craig of Prony

What can we say? We organise these walks weeks in advance but seem to strike lucky each time - especially when we head up Deeside. Friday was no exception - yet another glorious day for our trip up to Ballater and our walk round Craig of Prony.

Seven of us caught the bus out from various locations - including Stewart, who must have been a good boy recently as his wife dropped him off in Banchory and picked him up later. Ken had hoped to be able to catch up with us on the walk but we weren't sure how and where exactly.

We took the bus out to Bridge of Gairn and walked back a little along the Pass of Ballater before starting the walk proper up a farm track leading to a new house that we last spotted 2 years ago when we completed the two adjacent walks up Creagan Riabhach and Sgor Buidhe. It was at the construction phase then, but looked complete now with shrubbery all planted. It was a beautiful sunny day but you wouldn't have called it hot. Nonetheless, the presumed occupant/owner of the new house was strolling around in a fairly small bikini, making no attempt to shy away as we approached.

Soon after, although we hadn't climbed much by then, there were fine views of Lochnagar:

Opportunity then for the first team photo of the day:

Coming to a junction, Dave and I were in discussion about which path to follow, when, as if on cue, we spotted a runner approaching - it was our esteemed leader who had jogged from Bridge of Gairn to catch us. Turn right - up the hill, he declared - and we obeyed.

After that, it was pretty self-evident which way we were heading along landrover tracks:

At the northernmost part of the walk, we took another team photo - this time with all 8 of us:

Heading back south from there, we reached the fence that we had been at two years ago and followed the path up to the high point of the walk where there were more glorious views of Deeside, including distant Mount Keen - the target for a future walk:

It was an appropriate point for further refreshment:

The descent was relatively steep but soon we were back on level ground, walking along the old railway line that wasn't, west of Ballater. Ken had left his car at Bridge of Gairn and offered to shuttle us all directly to the pub, but we preferred to take in the river walk and, of course, we had to stop at our favourite little beach area:

We compromised a little and skipped the loop along the river round the golf course, instead heading straight in to town via the old railway line and the streets of Ballater, including the first viewing for many of us of Victoria barracks.

Here's the stats for the walk:

Our first beer stop was at the Alexandra where we sat outside - in the shade - and drank a couple of pints of Trade Winds and Stag, both in excellent condition. Moving on to the Barrel Bar at the Glenaden Hotel, where there were 3 Windswept ales on, Ken insisted on buying drams for us all in advance of his big birthday on 26th May - Balvenie it was.

Coincidentally, there was a pullout in the Times on Saturday, showing all the whisky distilleries in Scotland and who owns them:

We've still some work to do on Friday nights to work our way round that lot.