Auchtavan - first group walk of 2026
Finally we got our act together and managed to get 6 of us out on a Friday afternoon for a walk/hike in Upper Deeside. Dave had conjured up a number of possible scenarios linked to bus schedules but they all entailed a visit to Auchtavan, a spot where the former Queen Mother used to visit. The 201 due at the Douglas at 11:10 am was 10 + minutes late which added a little stress to the potentially tight timing. Steve and Andy were first on board, then Nigel and me two stops on, followed by Dave and Ken at Potarch. During the journey, the final return route was decided, based on bus and drinking timings. It was the shortest option that was favoured. We alighted at Inver, not too far past Crathie, crossed the road, heading intially up some grass tracks, indistinct in places, before picking up a more identifiable path that had been "Land Rovered" at some stage. The initially forecast warm sunny day had changed somewhat and there was those amongst us expecting downpours, but Steve ...