The advertised Hogmanay meet to Feshie Bridge was cancelled at the last-minute owing to a cock-up with the booking. The official story identifies the culprit as the hut custodian …but on the other hand, and just in case evidence emerges to the contrary, the 2018 awards committee is seeking information regarding the shoe size of a certain grey-haired gentlemen.

Shortly after the cancellation was announced, there was a flurry of emails and Facebook chatter, out of which arose Plan B… let’s go to the Ballater Hostel. Places were limited and so there was insufficient space for all those on the original list – the Book of Climbs records the attendees as Evelyn Droege, Dianne Watters, Brent Craig and Gus Tait. Heavy was on the list, but he was tied up fixing his car, which had sustained damage to the suspension after hitting a pothole. He did however provide a superb joint of meat, which was expertly prepared by Brent & Dianne for a gourmet dinner with all the trimmings on New Year’s Day. Evelyne introduced everyone to the Banana Game and Chase the Pig, which with a few Drams was a good build up to the Bells on Hogmanay.

On Saturday 30 Dec, after a detour to the Braemar Mountain Café, the select group ascended Morrone in somewhat wintery conditions. Conditions on Sunday were similarly wintery. Sheet-ice on the track up Glen Tanner curtailed Gus, Brent and Dianne’s attempt to cycle up to Mount Kean. Evelyn drove up to Loch Muick, but the conditions were too windy for any lofty aspirations.

A “few drams” were had to see in the New Year and then on New Year’s Day everyone ascended Craigendarroch, the mighty hillock located between Ballater and the Pass of Ballater. The summit may be only 402m above sea level, but the views over Ballater and Lochnagar were good.