You must book your place in advance with the Leader. Members can access full details here using their password (those members who have yet to receive a password or need a reminder should contact the Secretary.)
Non-members should contact the Secretary.
| Our traditional muster/rendezvous point in front of the old RNI building has been barricaded off as work begins on the building. Until further notice, our rendezvous point will be at the bottom end (closest to the river) of the RNI community hospital car park – that’s the car park on the left as you come in the main entrance from Ness Walk. If you’re leaving your car there, please park in or move to one of the bottom half-dozen spaces, so that hospital visitors will not be inconvenienced. |
Welcome to the winter walking program. As things return to normal, Covid is sadly still with us. Please read the following notes carefully.
Car Sharing
Car sharing reduces overall petrol use and parking congestion at the start point, and also allows members with no transport to participate. On the other hand, Covid is still with us, and car-sharing carries a significantly higher risk of transmission than outdoor activities. New, more aggressive versions of the virus may yet appear.
Leaders can choose to specify a rendezvous point (RNI community hospital car park, off Ness Walk – see notes above: click here to see map) as well as a start point, to facilitate car sharing. The ground rules are:
- Walkers can still choose to travel directly to the start point (parking space permitting).
- Drivers must not be pressurised to offer lifts. Those drivers (or transport bubbles) who choose not to share their car with others may prefer to travel direct to the start point to avoid awkwardness.
- Neither the Leader not the Club can police Covid testing or vaccination status. Those who decide to car share do so at their own risk.
- All walkers must pre-book with the Leader. Assist the leader by providing your mobile phone number, an emergency contact number (for safety reasons during the walk), and whether you intend to meet at the rendezvous point or go directly to the start. You should aim to arrive 15 minutes or so before the advertised time.
Contribution to transport costs
When sharing a car, walkers should contribute to transport costs, The recommended rate is 30p per mile, divided among the number of occupants of the vehicle.
To locate the starting point: if you are reading this document on your computer or smartphone, just click on the provided grid reference, and a map showing the start point will open in your browser (click here for more details).
Alternatively, open https://gridreferencefinder.com/ on an internet browser and enter the grid reference in the appropriate search field (2 letters, 6 digits). It may also be possible to search on some Satnav devices – see manufacturer’s instructions.
Please click to access walk gradings and safety information.
Saturday 22nd August
CANAL/MUIRTOWN CIRCULAR
This walk starts at our usual rendezvous point –RNI community hospital car park, off Ness Walk.
Grade C, Time 09:00, GRID REF: NH664446 OS sheet 26
Walk from UHI meet point crossing Bught Park, over top of cemetry, down onto East canal side. Continuing on to Muirtown basin to Clachnaharry locks where we will have our break. Return West side of canal crossing Tomnahurich bridge, passing floral hall, round through islands back to UHI.
Distance-7.50 Miles/11.75 Km Ascent-227 feet/70 metres
Sunday 30th August
Walk 1 – cancelledMorven – The Highest Caithness PeakA+ Time 09:30 Grid ref ND073304 OS sheet 17
Grade
Rendezvous point RNI community hospital car park, off Ness Walk 7:30
This is a long walk to a steep hill that rises out of the Caithness skyline. It is somewhat unique to Caithness. It is a good walk to the hill and will be boggy and peatland as we get towards the hill. The walk is likely to take 7 hours or so and if there is time we may detour to Maiden Pap. The height climbed represents Morven only, it will be more if we take the detour. This walk is long and tiring, plenty of food, water and walking gear will be needed.
Distance – 11 miles / 17 km Ascent 2300- feet/ 700 meters
Walk 2
Loch Gynack from Kingussie
Grade C Time 10:00 Grid Ref NH755014 OS Sheet 35
Rendezvous point RNI community hospital car park, off Ness Walk
Time: 09:00
Start walk from the golf course car park, parking at far end of park. Walk up on good paths that lead you along by Loch Gynack and through woodland. Walk then opens out to views of Greag Dubh and The Monadhliaths. The walk now goes round Loch Gynack, rather than a straigthtforward there and back. There are a few ups and downs and there is a wee burn to cross -Yvonne suggests people bring bags or feetz. Tea/coffee, scones and shortbread will be available at the Gof Club at the end of the walk, cost £7.50 per person.
Distance 8 miles/ 13 km, Ascent 500ft/ 155 m
5/6th September weekend away
Sunday 13th September
Glen Torridon
Grade C+ Time 10:30 Grid ref NH002581 OS sheet 25
Rendezvous point RNI community hospital car park, off Ness Walk 09:00
Park at the small layby on the A896 opposite the turning at Loch Clair. Walk East along the A896 for 1.2 miles (The Boring but Necessary Bit), before turning South onto a 4WD track over the river and into the forest. The track climbs through the trees (The Steep Bit), emerging as a high level, undulating walk with excellent panoramic views to Beinn Eighe & Liathac, and later across Loch Coulin (The Scenic Bit). After a gradual descent, leave open country, turning West to continue downhill through pleasant woodland (The Relaxing Bit). This joins the path along the East shore of Loch Coulin, heading North. Then following the East shore of Loch Clair back to the car park.
Distance – 7.1 miles/ 11.3 km Ascent – 820 feet/ 250 meters
Saturday 19th September
Dog Falls & Loch Beinn a Mheadhoin
Grade B Time 10:00 Grid ref NH283283 OS sheet 25
Rendezvous point RNI community hospital car park, off Ness Walk 09:00
From the Dog Falls walk to Coire Loch. Continue up the hill until overlooking Tomich. Continue through the forest to Innis Bhuidhe. Cut back over the hills to Loch Affric & then follow the Loch Affric circular route back to Benevean Dam & then back down to the Dog Falls.
Distance – 8.3 miles/ 13.4 km Ascent – 1300 feet/ 396 meters
Sunday 27th September
Cnoc a Mhargadaidh and 3 wee lochs, Evanton
Grade C+ Time 9.45 Grid ref NH607662 OS sheet 21
Rendezvous point RNI community hospital car park, off Ness Walk 09:00
Meet in the Evanton carpark (opposite the Co-op/Novar Arms) and combine cars (limited parking) to drive the 10 mins to the start of the walk. Start of walk NH596661. On good tracks we make our way towards and then up Cnoc a Mhargadaidh (Market Hill) – a steep grassy climb which is worth the panoramic view from the top. Back down and then we take a big circuit around the hill on mostly pleasant and level forest tracks and paths including visiting three small lochs, Loch Agoo, Loch JU and an unnamed loch. Some of the paths can be quite wet, and we do cross a small stream (over stepping stones).
Distance – 6 miles/ 9.5 km Ascent -775 feet/ 236 meters
Saturday 3rd October
Geal-Charn Beag (Kinveachy)/Carn na Guaille
Grade B Time 09.45 Grid ref NH855200 OS sheet 35
Rendezvous point RNI community hospital car park, off Ness Walk 0900
Directions: In Carrbridge turn right at the famous ‘humpy back bridge’ and follow the sign to /Dalnahatnach for approximately four miles on single track road. A wooden bridge (care needed) is crossed prior to arriving at the car park.
Route: This whole circular route is on good track. Initially we ascend gently with views quickly opening up in all directions. After morning coffee we cross a little stream followed by a short, steepish ascent. We then continue on a gradual two mile ascent to the summit of Geal Charn Beag with spectacular views of the Cairngorms. As we descend we retrace our outward route slightly then head in an easterly direction towards Carn na Guaile and an open seated shelter. The last section is on a Wade Military track, returning to the cars. Post walk coffee, cake and craic – Carrbridge Kitchen or North Gateway Cafe.
Distance – 9miles/ 15 km Ascent -1500 feet/ 450 meters
Sunday 11th October
Inverduie & Loch Gamhna circular
Grade C Time 10:00 Grid ref NH901110 OS sheet 36
Rendezvous point RNI community hospital car park, off Ness Walk 09:00
Walk from Inverdurie to Loch an Eilein. Continue round loch & extend round Loch Gamhna. Return via White well & Tullochgrue back to Coylumbridge. Follow B970 back to Inverdruie.
Distance – 9 miles/ 14.4 km Ascent – 557 feet/ 170 meters
Saturday 17th October
Ben Aigan
Grade B+ Time 10:30 Grid ref NJ333490 OS sheet 28
Rendezvous point RNI community hospital car park, off Ness Walk at 09:00
Directions: Drive to Craigellachie and take the A95. Parking is at the Ben Aigan forestry car park near Bridge of Oldtown
Walk description: This walk follows good tracks, firstly to Knock More transmitter and then on to the summit of Ben Aigan. Stunning views all round at the top, towards the Cairngorms and the Moray Firth. The descent will be slightly different and may be boggy in one section. The summit is also a plane crash site where a Whitley Bomber crashed during WW2 and is marked with a small memorial.
Distance – Approx 7miles/ 10 km Ascent – 1545 ft/ 471 m
Sunday 25th October
The Aird and Mam a’ Chatha
Grade B Time 0930 Grid ref NH604441 OS sheet 26
Rendezvous point RNI community hospital car park, off Ness Walk at 09:00
The walk is graded B because of the middle part is tough going. Meet at he old water tank at Kirkton Muir above Bunchrew. Start the walk by heading SW to Altnacardich. Then head south into the Aird. Going gets a bit rough (heather stepping) in the middle, hence the B grading. Once we climb Mam a’ Chatha the view makes up for all the effort. Looking over Beauly, the Firth and distant hills. Walking is on tracks, minor road and dodging fallen trees. Return by different loop.
Distance – 6 miles/ 10km Ascent – 540ft/ 170 m
Saturday 31st October
Loch Migdale. (New route)
Grade C Time 10.30 Grid ref NH669907 OS sheet 21
Rendezvous point RNI community hospital car park, off Ness Walk at 9.00
Park at Torray near Spinningdale. Starting on easy woodland track then reaching a higher gradient section to good view over Kyle of Sutherland and toward Dornoch bridge, (coffee). Continuing up forestry road to another excellent viewpoint then down on moorland track and forest to have lunch on Migdale Loch edge. Then continuing back to cars.
Distance – 6miles/ 9.66km Ascent – 490 feet/ 150 meters
Great Glen Walking Club 