The aim for all attending the Xmas Bus Meet was to get to the Grant Arms Hotel, Grantown, by 1600 in time for the Xmas Meal. A total of 49 members attended and 2 even managed a Munro on the day. It was a lovely day weather-wise – blue skies and light winds.

Speyside Way Group – Long walk

Anika, Robert, Sue, Lessley, Andy, Malcolm, Brent, Graham, Shelagh, Ray,  John,  Norman, Jerry, Toni, Alison and Dianne Watters.  The group of 16 disembarked at the layby on the A95 just west of the Tormore Distillery giving them ~ 12 mile walk along the Speyside Way to Grantown. To call it the Speyside Way at this point is a bit of a misnomer because the track climbs and drops through fields and forest to the south of the river – The Spey itself is rarely seen. The main hazards were the multiple chain gates. A sociable walk on a bright, clear winter’s day and all arrived in good time at the hotel.

Speyside Way – Short Walk

President’s Party: Ben, Al, Lauren, Sheila, Joe.  The Presidential Party disembarked at Cromdale, but rather than tackle the Cromdale Hills, they chose to follow the Spey, wandering past fishing huts on the gentle meanders, enjoying Christmas snacks along with Al’s excellent homemade Victorian eggnog and Shiela’s Special Reserve Port. They had ample time for a café stop, craft fair and even the museum. An enjoyable day.

Ella Grant, David McLean and Ken Ross started with the Presidential group, but headed directly to Grantown. Ella carried on north along the Dava Way to meet up with the group walking south from Dunphail.

Cromdale Hills Party.

Drummond, Alan, Fiona, Sheena and Dan also left the bus at Cromdale, but not for them a casual stroll along the river – They ascended the mighty Craigan a’ Chaise in the Cromdale Hills, Altitude 722m (approx., allowing for rising seal levels thanks to global warming).

The most hazardous stretch was the “ice rink” between the bus and the bottom of the hill. A steady plot led past the bar and up to the first of two grand cairns. (The Coronation Cairn was built to commemorate the crowning of King Edward VII and Queen Alexandria in 1902). Footprints in the snow provided evidence of the recent passage of the Cromdale Reindeer (early delivery of presents??). More plodding across spongy snow covered bog led to the other elaborate cairn, this time to commemorate Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee in 1887. Alan quickly located the bottle of Glenlivet and the book hidden in a little nook. Time was pressing, and it was cold, but all arrived safely at the Grant Arms.

Cromdale (2)

Heavy and Dianne drove to Grantown then on south to the base of the Cromdale Hills. They enjoyed a splendid walk up onto the summit of Craig a’ Chaise, along the summit ridge for a bit before returning to the car.

Dava Way Groups

Derrick, George and Ray joined Babs to walk from her home at Dunphail south for 16 miles along the Dava Way to Grantown. No major incidents reported, other than “patting” Jess the Sheepdog and saluting the Dragoon. They enjoyed a pleasant walk along the much improved surface of the Dava Way. Graeme and Shona Morrison walked from Grantown to Huntly’s cave and met the southbound party.

Stewart tackled the whole of the Dava Way from Forres to Grantown – but on his bike. Sensibly, he returned to Forres on the bus.

Munro Baggers!

Carol and Adele completed a genuine mountaineering achievement on the day. They set off early (0500) to climb Mullach Clach a’Bhlair on a beautiful (and unexpectedly) clear day. Accepting they have joined that “strange and crazy” group – Munro Baggers, they made the most of the short daylight. As the snow deepened, going became more arduous and they resorted to taking turns at trail blazing. The views from the summit were stunning, but they couldn’t linger because of the cold – and the need to get to Grantown for the meal.

Ski Sunday – Cairngorm!

Andy and Jan got their skis out for the first time this year and skinned up to the Ptarmigan at Cairngorm. Jan was looking forward to a cup of tea at the café, but had forgotten that because the funicular was closed, so was the café! They skied down, mainly on-piste (too many rocks visible off-piste). The weather was better than forecast with excellent views – the only downside was the howling wind at the summit. A good warm up sor the season and fingers crossed for more snow as the winter goes on.

Mark and Tish also took to skis. They skinned up on their touring skis, spotting ptarmigan in full winter plumage They didn’t linger on the top because of the wind and the cold, but made best use of the really good snow conditions (some Scottish powder) on the descent.

e-Bike Party

Finally – Colin tackled Ben Rinnes – but on his ebike. He got within about 650m of the car park but was beaten by snow. He did manage about 25 miles despite the cold and bagged Paul’s Hill and Roy’s Hill.

The Boot

Words by Malcolm, Photos by Carol and Dan