Over the next few days the freezing level will descend below the summits of the highest Scottish Mountains.  One of the local weather services for hill walkers is MWIS.  But nothing beats seeing, so a review of the webcams is also advisable.  While this is an early blast of arctic air for us, add in the windchill factor and dangers of winter won’t be too far away.  So, pack for winter hiking this weekend.

Sometimes the shortest of walks can give the best of views.  For me a walk up Mortlich in Aboyne provides such an experience.

The most rewarding aspect of the views is that they are to places where I walk the most.  In this photo you get the folding up of the hills, but while you walk up the hill the experience is more narrowly focused to the path ahead.  The hills in front of you mostly out of site.  In the end of the day, its the variety of walking in Deeside that makes it so special.

Active Aboyne is less than a month away now and a long list of events are now available on their website.  The events include long distance walks that they call ‘Big Hill Days‘ to Family Fun activities.  The full list of events are list on their events page.

Looking ahead to the summer months, this years Active Aboyne will be held from Saturday 11th September to Sunday 26th September.  The full programme is yet to be published but watch the site for the mix of walks, bushcraft, other outdoor pursuits and not forgetting the social activities put on.  The special guest this year is Karen Drake.  A true adventurer and sought after speaker.