Cults Hillwalking Club

CHWC is pleased to announce two walks on August 9th.

🥾Both are taking place in the Glen Shee / Braemar area. A bus will be on hand to transport walkers from Cults and various stops up the Deeside Valley. The bus leaves Cults old Library at 08.00 sharp and will return at approx 19.00 after a refreshments stop in Braemar following the walks.

🥾The longer walk is an A to B of 18+ km with 700m of ascent starting at Baddoch near Glenshee and heading up onto An Socach (944m, a Munro) before winding NE across to Sgor Mor and then a couple more tops before dropping NW down into Glen Ey , finishing at Inverey..

🥾By contrast the shorter walk is a circular of 16km with nearly 500m of ascent, starting and finishing at Linn of Dee. The route will include an ascent of Sgor Mor (another one!) a Corbett of 813m.

👍If the weather is nice we will get some excellent views …

Please contact the Club by email as soon as possible if you would like to book a seat. [email protected]

August walk details.

Sunday 9th August - Braemar (OS 44)
We have two walks on offer

Longer walk: NO138832 Baddoch – An Socach – Sgorr Mor – Glen Eye
Distance 18 km. Ascent 700 m

Shorter walk: NO064897 Linn of Dee – White Bridge – Sgor Mor – Linn of Dee
Distance 15 km. Ascent 470 m


The coach will be at Cults Library at 7.45am leaving promptly at 8am and collecting walkers from Bieldside, Milltimber and Peterculter. If you would like to join or require more information , please email Anne Gilchrist by Tuesday 4th August via email at [email protected] or DM

There is a very high fire risk across Scotland and in the Cairngorms National Park. There is currently a wildfire burning in the Glenmore/Ryvoan area of Speyside which has burned overnight and is not yet under control.
Please help us protect our special places including Mar Lodge Estate by adhering to the Seasonal fire by-law and not having fires, barbecues or introducing any source of ignition into the landscape.
For those visiting Mar Lodge Estate please be aware that there is smoke in the atmosphere from this fire.
Importantly if you are intending to walk from Mar Lodge through the Cairngorms to Speyside we urge you to re-consider your plans. The fire is still burning and the access roads on that side of the Cairngorms are closed.

Upcoming July Walk

Please see details below for our July walk.

Sunday 12th July - Glas Maol and Creag Leacach (OS 43)

Longer walk: NO142774 Ski centre car park – Glas Maol – Creag Leacach – Carn Ait – Black Hill- Westerton of Runavey – Spittal of Glenshee
18 km. 800 m

Shorter walk: NO142774 Ski centre car park – Glas Maol – Creag Leacach – Carn Ait – Carn na Daimh – Tomb – Spittal of Glenshee
14 km. 600 m


The coach will be at Cults Library at 7.45am leaving promptly at 8am and collecting walkers from Bieldside, Milltimber and Peterculter. Cost £15

If you would like to join, please DM below or email [email protected]

50 Years of Cults Hillwalking Club

We had a fantastic evening at Deeside Golf Club celebrating 50 years of hill walking. Members old and new enjoyed a slide show of all of enjoyment in the hills through sun, rain, wind and snow!

We enjoyed reminiscing so much that this is the only photo we have of the event!!

Correction! Please note corrected shorter walk details

Next Walk - LOCHNAGAR
Sunday 14th June

Longer walk: Spittal of Glen Muick – Lochnagar – Carn a’ Coire Bhoidenach – Carn an Saigart Mor – Ballochbuie – Keiloch. (22 km 980 m ascent)

Shorter walk: Spittal of Glen Muick – Concachcraig – Easter Balmoral (18.8km 426m ascent)


The coach will be at Cults Library at 7.45am leaving at 8am and collecting walkers from Bieldside, Milltimber and Peterculter. £15

If you would like to join and for more information please DM or email via [email protected]
by Thursday 11th June

As approaches West Perthshire and the northern Loch Lomond & Trossachs this Easter weekend, we ask everyone to prioritise proper planning and honest decision-making. While it might just feel a bit "dreich" at low level, the conditions across the higher, remote ground in our area will be a different world entirely.

​The Met Office has issued warnings for blizzard conditions and gusts potentially reaching 80–90mph on exposed ridges. In these conditions, even the most experienced outdoor enthusiasts can find themselves in serious trouble.

​Before you leave the house:

🌪️ ​Check the Weather Forecast: Do not rely on standard weather apps. Consult the Mountain Weather Information Service (MWIS) for the Southern Highlands. It provides specific details on cloud base, wind speeds at summit level, and the "effect of wind on you," which is vital for Storm Dave.

🧗 Adapt for Individual Capability:
Ensure your plans are tailored to the physical limits and technical experience of every person in your group.

🗺️ ​Navigation Calculations: Battling high winds and deep snow significantly increases exhaustion and slows your pace. You must factor this into your timing and navigation calculations—everything takes much longer in a storm, and you may find you cover only half your usual distance.

📝 ​Leave a Note:
Ensure someone at home knows your exact route and your "expected back" time.

​Crucial Decision-Making on the Hill:

​🤔 🤔 Think Twice: If the weather looks daunting or the clouds are down before you even start, think twice. There is no shame in choosing a low-level walk or heading to the café instead.

🗻 ​The Hills Will Always Be There: Don't let "summit fever" or a long-planned Easter trip cloud your judgement. The mountains aren't going anywhere—make sure you're around to enjoy them when the weather breaks.

💨 The U-Turn is a Success: Reaching safety because you made a smart call to abandon a route is a mark of experience, not a failure. If the wind is making you stumble or visibility is dropping, turn back.

​If you are heading out, remember:

​❄️ Full Winter Conditions: Expect heavy snow, drifting, and severe wind chill on higher ground.

​💨 90mph Gusts: Winds this strong can blow you off your feet. Stick to sheltered, low-level paths.

​📉 Kit Check: Winter essentials like crampons and an ice axe are still required for the high ground. Plenty warm food and drink.

🔦 Torches: Carry a torch and a spare one with additional battery power. This is our friend when trying to find you at night.

​🗺️ Navigation: Don’t rely on your phone—cold drains batteries.Carry a physical map and compass.

🐶 Look after four legged friends: Exposing them to severe weather can resault in them being injured or die.

🆘 ​In an emergency in the outdoors: Dial 999, ask for the POLICE, then ask for MOUNTAIN RESCUE.

🛖 Please have the ability to shelter and stay warm, both you and your hill party as it will take longer for us to get their.

​

🥾 🥾 FYI fellow walkers

🥾NEXT WALK Sunday March 8th - The Socach (Donside)

Longer walk - NJ318108 Skellater - Carn Mor - Glen Eman - The Socach - Sgor Gorm Cairn Vachich - Burnside
17km, 800m

Shorter walk - NJ318108 Skellater - Carn Mor - Glen Eman - Geal Charn - Cairn Vachich - Burnside
13km, 630m

🥾The coach will be at Cults library at 7.45 leaving promptly at 8am and collecting walkers at Bieldside, and Milltimber. £15.

🥾To book a place on the coach please email
[email protected]

Evening meeting at Cults Kirk Centre

Thursday 5th March at 7.30pm

🧭Introduction to OS Maps Website and App

👨‍🌾Experienced hill walkers and faithful CHWC walk leaders Nick Varley and Robert Maskall will present an introduction to the OS Maps Website and App, with a demonstration of route plotting in readiness for the March walk.

All including non members are very welcome-£3