An Socach (Braemar)

David Kaye

7 May 2017

I’ve said it before and will no doubt say it again. This was undoubtedly the best Marauders’ outing ever.

Sandra, Alex, Mike, Jack and David were the fortunate participants.

In glorious sunshine, the day began with a moral dilemma. Should we go on foot or on horseback?

A quick call to The Munro Ethics Committee revealed that the only pony permitted for a valid “tick” was Shanks’s.

A stroll along the banks of the babbling Baddoch Burn was followed by the escalator path through the heather to the top erroneously marked as the summit on old OS maps, to fool the English tourists. A delightful daunder along the two kilometre summit ridge revealed stunning 180 degree views, including the Cairngorm massif and beyond, and deposited us at the true summit where we took our partners for the eightsome reel.

We partook of traditional refreshments and Sandra performed a seldom-seen act on Alex, while Jack pretended not to notice and David took copious notes.

I googled it later and discovered that it is punishable by law in three-quarters of the world, but perfectly legal between consenting adults in the UK, and indeed part of the initiation ceremony for Young Conservatives.

All too soon it was time to beat a retreat, which, in keeping with custom and practice, was performed by forsaking the excellent paths and stumbling through thigh deep heather.

By invitation we stopped off at Chateau Bull in Blairgowrie for a nibble at Marion’s delicacies, before wending our weary way home.

And so to next month’s adventure.

By special request of Sandra and Mike, the date is Thursday 8th June, and the venue is The Cobbler, with the “threading of the needle” an optional extra.

Could I ask ask all interested parties, including those who have already spoken to me, to send a confirmatory e-mail, so that my befuddled memory has a physical record of proposed attendees, please?

By the way, several of us are in Ullapool for the week of 13-20 May. If anyone fancies a few days walking with kindred spirits, please let me know.

Cheers for Noo,

David.