Banchory Veterans' Hill-walkers

A variety of routes and timings would eventually lead all 12 of us to Peebles, but those of us travelling by car from the north met up first of all at Craigdon Sports, near the Pentland Outdoor Centre, for coffees - and to transfer Stewart from Gordon's car to mine. Gordon then drove on to Peebles to meet up with Ian and Nigel for a round of golf, but Dave, Ken, Stewart, Colin, Jeb and I headed for nearby Flotterstone and the start of what most of us believed would be a little loosener prior to the more serious walks in days to come. Jeb had arranged for his brother - who lives in Edinburgh - to meet us there and join in on the walk. We were a little early, but, fortunately, the Flotterstone Inn was adjacent to the car park at the start of our walk. It may not have quite been noon yet, but it would have been foolish to turn down the opportunity of a quick pint, wouldn't it?: After the first of what would be several climbs on an undulating walk, it was time for a team ...

With only a handful available for Friday's walk, it was decided to keep it simple and local with a walk out to and round the Crathes estate. There were a few late cancellations for various reasons - Ian, Colin and Dave all had things crop up that they had to deal with - so it was just me, Nigel and debutant Bill who showed up outside the Burnett to begin the walk. It was a fine afternoon as we strolled along the Deeside Way and up through the West entrance at Crathes, from where we headed along the trails and down to the lodge house at the main road entrance to meet up with Dave, who was on puppy duties. The four of us - plus Ruby - took the trails round the east side of the estate past the newly drained pond. As we headed up towards the north trail, Ian phoned to tell us he'd got his car tyre fixed and had cycled out to meet us for coffee at the cafe, so that's where we headed. Ice creams have become a firm favourite for Dave and I recently, but the others stuck to t...