Sponsored Walk 2014
165 walkers took part in the annual sponsored walk raising valuable funds for Aberdeen Mountain Rescue Team, four of these on a shorter guided walk, courtesy of Glen Tanar Estate Ranger service. The walk took place on the Glen Tanar estate and we are very grateful to Eric Baird, Head Ranger and the Estate for allowing us to hold the walk there this year.
The weather was good and this made for an enjoyable 23km walk starting on the South Deeside road just beyond Deecastle. The walkers then had a gradual pull up to the Eastern shoulder of Knockie Branar before dropping down into Glen Tanar. After crossing the Water of Tanar, the route followed the Mounth Road for a short distance before branching eastwards and up past Red Craig and Black Craig. Walkers were rewarded with a fantastic view of Mount Keen and north across mid Deeside. Walkers continued around the south side of Clachan Yell and into the Nature Reserve in the heart of Glen Tanar, then on towards the finish point at the Visitor Centre.
After arriving at the finish, walkers were presented with a 50th Anniversary commemorative beanie hat courtesy of Shell UK, cakes kindly donated by Sinclairs of Huntly bakery and a well deserved ice cream from Mackies of Scotland.
As usual, the walk was marshalled by members of AMRT and their good humour and supply of juice and sweeties on the way round was much appreciated.
The annual sponsored walk is Aberdeen & St John Mountain Rescue Association’s biggest fundraiser of the year and we are very grateful to every one of you that makes it successful, those that help organise, those that donate to us and especially the walkers that take part and raise vital funds to enable the Team to remain operational.
