Seven Brothers assembled for a longer training hike from Tullybaccart. They covered a good distance, but again things didn’t go to plan.
By Ian
8th April 2022
The muster point for our venture was the car park at the top of Tullybaccart. As suggested by the title of the walk there were seven of us. We considered The Famous Five as a title but that would have been confusing.
The planned itinerary
Our plan was to walk over to Newtyle via Lundie Crags and the Meridian Monument then complete the Newtyle Loop.
The temperature was about four degrees and we set off with the wind at our backs at a fairly swift pace. When sheltered from the wind a fleece or coat was too hot; when in the wind it was absolutely necessary. Most of us kept with the outer layer throughout.
The walking was fairly easy throughout although there were a couple of boggy patches. After 4 miles we had a coffee and cake stop. Today it was chocolate cake, supplied by Chef de Mission. Marvellous!!
Just nearing the lunch stop we got a bit off route and ended up having to traipse through some very rough ground suitable for breaking ankles.
The lunch stop was overlooking a field, Newtyle and Kinpurnie Hill, with the sun shining but the wind keeping temperatures low.
We had our own provisions which were then supplemented with more cake. WOW!
During lunch we decided to go straight back and not do the Newtyle Loop.
Change of plan
On the return we went straight up Newtyle Hill instead of skirting it as we did on the way out. It was a steep climb and got the legs and lungs stretching before we reached the top.
Our correct route was left at the top of the hill but we ignored that and kept straight ahead until we realised that we were too far north. It was then a ten minute route correction through gorse, heather and bog until we reached the correct path.
At Meridian Monument we contemplated whether to go down to lochside and return below the crags or stay with the original outward route. The original route took the vote.
Another hour saw us back at the car having completed 11 miles in just under 5 hours including stops.
The Band is getting hill fit, but 11 miles is only half of our fifth day distance of 23 miles.
Oh, my aching limbs…