Gleann an t-Slugain, on the route of the walk. Photo: John Rennie CC-BY-SA-2.0
Mountain rescuers have issued a challenge to walkers to tackle their annual fundraising trek.
The Aberdeen & St John Mountain Rescue Association is seeking outdoors fans prepared to walk the 28km (17-mile) route north of Braemar to help raise cash for the volunteer team.
A team spokesperson said: “It costs approximately £30,000 each year to keep the team fully equipped and ready to respond to a callout.
“Maintaining, insuring and running vehicles are expensive, and the need to purchase specialist rescue equipment and protective clothing places a serious financial burden on both the team and the association, which supports the team.
“The main fundraising activity for the team is the annual sponsored walk.
“It is generally held on the first Saturday in June and is designed to be an enjoyable day out for supporters, friends and family.”
This year’s 1 June walk will be the 42nd annual event. The spokesperson said: “This year we are returning to a walk that we last did in 2004. It proved to be something of a hit with walkers and so we thought a return visit was in order.
“The route will start and finish at the Keiloch sawmill, just to the east of Invercauld House.
“The walk will then follow the line of Gleann an t-Slugain, known locally as the Fairy Glen, and perhaps one of the most beautiful and serene glens in the Cairngorms.
“The glen rises gently through the old Caledonian pine forest of Invercauld, and then on past the ruins of Slugain Lodge to meet the headwaters of the Quoich as they tumble south out of the Beinn a’ Bhuird massif.
“At this point, weather permitting, walkers will have stunning views of the eastern corries of Beinn a’ Bhuird, before turning north-east, along the southern flank of Ben Avon and down through the craggy glen between Creag an Dail Mhòr and Creag an Dail Bheag.
“This section, connecting the head waters of the Quoich and Gairn, sees few walkers and is quite spectacular with a real sense of remote wilderness.
“Crossing the Gairn the walk will then follow the Bealach Dearg path up to the shoulder of Culardoch, with an opportunity, again weather permitting, for the more adventurous to visit the summit. The route will then take walkers south towards Invercauld and finally over the shoulder of Creag Leek and down to Felagie before heading back towards the Keiloch.”
The team is asking anyone taking part to raise at least £25.
The spokesperson added: “It should be remembered that although the route will be marshalled and patrolled by members of the team, it is a remote mountainous environment and those wishing to take part should be fit and appropriately equipped.”
There will be spot prizes for participants and for those raising most money.
More details are on the Aberdeen Mountain Rescue Team website.
Aberdeen Mountain Rescue Team was formed to undertake search and rescue operations in its area of the Cairngorms and the lower hills of Deeside and Donside.
Shortly after the formation of Aberdeen Mountain Rescue Team it was decided a parent body should be established to assist in providing funds and support for the team. Aberdeen Mountain Rescue Association was formed and latterly, to acknowledge the financial support given by the Order of St John, the name was changed to Aberdeen & St. John Mountain Rescue Association.
The order helped finance some of the team’s vehicles and the base at Westhill.
The team has the use of two bothies, one at the Spittal of Muick and one at Derry Lodge, which they use as bases when out training and on rescues and has about 35 members with a callout list of 30.
