Last updated: 01/02/12

Club Activities

The Club arranges one-day meets, known as Day meets, every third or fourth weekend. They are usually advertised by reference to some mountain or route, but there is no expectation that everyone should tackle that particular objective and there is no question of the Club going there in one large group. Suitable transportation will be arranged (coach, mini-bus or car-sharing), depending on the destination, proposed walking routes and the projected number of meet attendees. Where time allows, a stop will be made on the return journey for either high tea, a pub meal or fish and chips.

The Club accepts no official responsibility for arranging parties, and members are left to decide where and with whom they will walk. However, the committee does ensure that an experienced member goes with a group, called the President's Party, which newer members can join, affording some measure of supervision and tuition, as well as a chance to get to know other members.

Day meet destinations are as varied as possible, going farthest afield in the longer daylight hours of summer. During the shooting season, when access on to the hills may be restricted, most meets are cross-country walks following public rights of way.

It is for members themselves to ensure that they are adequately equipped (See Equipment Checklist) for what they plan to undertake, to choose objectives in keeping with their capabilities, and generally to be responsible for their own safety. Even when walking with others, it is essential that each member carries his or her own map, compass and whistle, and in winter an ice axe and/or crampons (See Winter Essentials). Other necessities are proper boots, adequate warm and waterproof clothing, and ample food and liquid.

Bookings for Day Meets should be made with the co-ordinator for the particular meet (see Meets Calendar).
Please contact the co-ordinator by email or telephone in the first instance to check seat availability.

Day Meet contact:
day@cairngormclub.org.uk
 

Another important activity is Weekend meets. These are whole weekends away, with transport by car, once a month throughout the year, based on camping, club huts, hostels or hotels according to availability and members' preferences.

Weekend meets tend to be held further afield than Day meets allowing for a greater variety of more-distant hills to be climbed.

Weekend meets do not include a President's party group. The Club accepts no official responsibility for arranging parties, and members are left to decide where and with whom they will walk.

Depending on the meet destination, members will either cook for themselves or dine out somewhere local to the meet. From time to time , a communal meal will be prepared for all participating attendees.

It is for members themselves to ensure that they are adequately equipped (See Equipment Checklist) for what they plan to undertake, to choose objectives in keeping with their capabilities, and generally to be responsible for their own safety. Even when walking with others, it is essential that each member carries his or her own map, compass and whistle, and in winter an ice axe and/or crampons (See Winter Essentials). Other necessities are proper boots, adequate warm and waterproof clothing, and ample food and liquid.

For details of forthcoming meets (see Meets Calendar)

Weekend Meet contact:
weekend@cairngormclub.org.uk

Trad and sport climbing are actively pursued within the Club, as well as opportunities for ad hoc winter climbing for those interested.

Weekly Club climbing meets include Tuesday nights and Saturday mornings.

From spring until autumn the Tuesday night meets are at a variety of crags in the Aberdeenshire and Angus region. In mid-Summer with the lighter evenings, we tend to move further afield either in-land to locations such as Clachnaben and the Pass of Ballater or south to Angus sports venues (Arbroath, Legaston, etc) or up north to the sea cliffs south of Peterhead. We always try to include a BBQ at a few of our Tuesday night meets too! In winter the Tuesday nights move indoors, normally rotating between the walls at RGU and Transition for a bit of variety.

The Saturday morning session is at Transition in the winter, apart from the last Saturday in every month when we visit an Angus sports climbing venue (such as Kirrie Hill, with the Avertical World wall in Dundee as a back-up in case of bad weather). During the summer, the Saturday mornings move outside to the local Aberdeen sea cliffs.

There are also weekends away throughout the year. Some shared with the walking section of the club, others aimed purely for climbers (e.g. the Reiff meet in May).

Beginners are welcome, though the ability to tie-in and belay safely is a pre-requisite for attending club meets.

For details of forthcoming meets (see Meets Calendar)

Climbing meet contact:
climb@cairngormclub.org.uk
 

There are regular Mid-week walks, usually on the last Thursday of the month.  Members meet at a central location and then share cars as necessary.  These are less strenuous and are sometimes low level and often not as demanding as the longer Day meets and are popular with people who have time off mid-week and with retired members of the club. Members are asked to arrive promptly at the meeting points.

The meeting points (all car parks) are detailed below: On some occasions arrangements will change, so please contact one of the co-ordinators if you are in doubt or need further information (see Meets Calendar ).

Code "K" - Kingswells Park & Ride (Grid ref 868063)
Code "R" - Riverside Drive (Grid ref 928036)
Code "P" - Persley (Grid ref 910093)

Mid-week Walk contact:
Arthur Dickie
 

Indoor Meets take place from September to March and usually take the form of a slide presentation.

All members, and guests, are welcome to come along. Indoor meets are an ideal event to meet Club members if you are interested in finding out more about the Club or other Club events.

The first Indoor meet of the year is usually a Member's night when everyone is invited to bring along some digital photos or slides and share experiences or simply some good views with the rest of the Club.

The venue for Indoor Meets is the downstairs room at the Aberdeen Grammar School FP Club Centre, 86 Queen's Road, not far from the Anderson Drive roundabout on the City side. Talks will start at 7.30 pm and cost £3.00 which includes tea/coffee and biscuits.

Indoor (Social) Meet contact:
social@cairngormclub.org.uk
 

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