Oot an Aboot

 
Every year, we run visits during the summer to interesting historical sites. To ensure numbers are manageable, these are open to members only and their invited guests.
Keep an eye on this web page for details or any notifications of changes as they become available.

Oot an Aboot 2022

Here is our planned programme of summer visits for this year.  Please try to arrive about 10/15 minutes before the visit commences so we are all ready to go at the appointed time.

Oot an Aboot – Wednesday 25 May 2022 at 7pm Members’ visit to  Aboyne Castle grounds

Our appologies but this visit has had to be postponed as one of our guides has tested positive  for Covid. We will publish a new date as soon as we have made arrangements.

Meet in the Aboyne Castle Business Centre car park. This will be an evening visit to the grounds around Aboyne Castle including a visit to the old Jacobean stable block which was converted to a business centre. . We will also take a look at the evolution of Aboyne Castle from a medieval motte keep, to tower house, to rambling Victorian mansion and back to tower house, plus the recent extension work. The walk will be led by Alistair Aboyne and Kathy Ader.

Oot an Aboot – Saturday 11 June 2022  Members’ visit to The Balmoral Cairns

Meet at the Square in Tarland to arrange car share at 10am, otherwise be at the Balmoral Castle car park on the A93 ready for 10:30am. We will take a walk around the various cairns erected on Balmoral Estate by Queen Victoria to commemorate her various children. Fingers crossed for a nice day with good views.
 
Be prepared for a walk of 9.5 kilometres (6 miles) over forestry tracks and footpaths with a total climb of 370m (1,200 ft). Some of the climbs are steep but not too long. The walk should take around 3.5/4 hours. Bring a packed lunch so that we can take our time to enjoy this beautiful corner of Deeside. Also bring protective clothing in case we get caught out by a shower. In the event of bad weather being forecast, we may have to select another day at relatively short notice.

Oot an Aboot – Thursday 7 July 2022 at 7pm Members’ visit to  Tarland Nuclear Bunker, Tomnaverie

Meet at the Tomnaverie car park. This will be an evening visit to see the old Tarland Nuclear Observation Post which is located beside the recumbent stone circle at Tomnaverie. We will be able to climb down the ladder into the underground monitoring post. There is not much room in the chamber so we will have to take turns to go down in small numbers.

Oot an Aboot – Thursday 11 August 2022 at 2pm Members’ visit to The Mills of Cromar

Meet in the Square, Tarland. We will take a trip around the Howe taking in 4/5 sites of where mills once stood,  starting with the old mill in  Tarland. There are approximately 30 old mills in Cromar – all disused and some hardly visible now. We will take a trip around the Howe. Be prepared for a walk of about a mile for one mill. This will be an afternoon trip and cars will required. The visit will  last 2-3 hours. The visit will be led by David Currie.
 

Oot an Aboot – Wednesday 7 September 2022  at 2pm. Members’ visit to  Braemar

Meet at Braemar public car park.  This will be an afternoon visit to the village of Braemar where we will be guided round the village by members of the Braemar History Group. The walk will last about 1.5 hours. At the end of the walk members might choose to take afternoon tea at the Fife Arms hotel. Other venues are available.