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Forfar & District
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A good turnout of twelve members started the New Year with a walk round the hills at the head of Glen Lethnot. Six members left Forfar shortly
after 8am, meeting a further six at the top of the glen at 9am.
The temperature was well below zero as they set off, having been sent hurriedly on their way by a flurry of snow. Crossing a bridge over the West Water,
the track took them past some houses with a few contented-looking turkeys in the garden, no doubt relieved that they had survived Christmas unscathed.
A short distance later, they followed another track steeply up the hillside, climbing from two hundred to six hundred metres in height.
Having completed most of the hard work for the day, the walkers could then enjoy a high-level walk round the rolling tops which are so typical of the Angus glens.
The route curved round from Hill of Berran to Wester Hill. The going was very easy now, with splendid views opening out to the north, but with just
a hint of a chilling northerly breeze to discourage the walkers from pausing for very long. A hut was identified on the map a short distance ahead
and the group were anticipating some shelter on the leeward side for a welcome refreshment stop. Alas, as they approached it became clear that
the hut had fallen victim to the recent storms and had quite literally been scattered to the four winds. Nevertheless, some shelter was found
amongst the debris.
The route then continued west, curving south then east, over the tops of Ruragh, Dog Hillock and Hill of Glansie. This was the highest part of the route, all these tops exceeding seven hundred metres. There was a good covering of two to three inches of snow at this height, making for a nice wintry experience. The final top of the day was Mount Sned, from where it was all downhill, a very faint path being picked up on the south side of the Burn of Corscarie which led to a small footbridge before rejoining the outward path just a few hundred metres from the cars.
The total distance covered was fourteen kilometres with 650 metres of ascent. The time taken was fully five hours at a fairly leisurely pace.
Awaiting report.
The traditional ""High Tea" (alas no more) Meet attracted a good turnout of 17 members and guests. The group congregated at the Airlie Tower car park,
a short distance up the Glen Prosen road, at 9.30. A few cars were then taken up to Glenprosen village as a through walk had been planned.
By 10am the walkers and cars were all in the correct place and they set off towards the monument on Tower Hill, pausing for breath at the top and
checking the route in what had become a rather unfamiliar landscape due to the amount of tree felling which had been carried out. A gentle climb on
a path above the trees took the walkers to a small top known as “The Goal”. The onward route was now a fairly well-defined ridge with only gentle
climbs over several rounded tops. At Craigs of Lethnot the group stopped for a lunch break. The anticipated views to the north were restricted
somewhat by the low cloud although the hills beyond Clova stood out well, with the sun occasionally reflecting off the snow on the cliffs above Loch Brandy.
It was only a short climb after lunch to the highest point of the day, Hill of Couternach, standing 512m above sea level. Another two tops followed before
a steady descent to join the Minister’s Path, so called because it linked the churches at Prosen and Clova, the poor minister making that trek every Sunday.
At the rather boggy junction, the walkers turned south, meeting three other members of the club who had walked from Glenprosen to meet them. All 20 then
made their way down the lonely Glen Tairie in various small groups, with the early-morning calculation of the number of cars required happily proving
to be adequate to ferry everyone back down the glen. By the time the walkers reached the cars, thoughts were turning to the meal which awaited them
at Sinclair’s Kitchen in a couple of hours time.
A distance of 14km was covered with 500m of ascent. The walk was completed in about 5 hours, just enough to work up a good appetite. 26 members gathered
at Sinclair's Kitchen for a meal, after which Steve, our current President said a few words.
Thirteen members had submitted 57 images for the competition. Graham Wilkinson was the judge and was given the images one week in advance.
Entrants were coded so that Graham had no idea of the identity, and the order of display was randomised.
Alex Roddie, a recent new member, won both the Brian Coull Memorial Trophy for best photograph and the Norrie Trophy for the best collection of 3.
Congratulations!
Brian Coull Trophy: winner E (Alex) with Image E2 In Coire nan Lochan; second place K (Louise) with image K4 Tarn Hows:
third place C (Nicola) with image C2 Unlock Pike.
The Norrie Trophy: winner E (Alex) with images E1 Ben Lawers at Night, E2 In Coire nan Lochan, and E3 Kinpurney Hill at Sunrise.
Second place K (Louise) with images K1 Isle of Skye, K4 Tarn Hows, and K5 Great Langdale. No third place selected.
These 7 images are shown below. Full resolution images of all entries can be viewed from
the Photos Page.
The judge's notes can be viewed here. Entrant codes have been added.
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Awaiting report.