The Cairngorm Club

17/10/2026

Over the summer the club’s climbers have teamed up to climb multi-pitch rock climbs in the Cairngorms. There have been multiple visits to some of the best mountain cliffs in the Cairngorms including Beinn a Bhuird, Lochnagar, Creag an Dubh Loch which host some of the best mountain climbs in Scotland.

The day and evening climbing meets have been to some of the Club’s favorite local North East venues such as Souter Head, Fulmar Wall. There have also been longer day trips to further afield venues such as Glen Clova, Rob’s Reed (near Forfar) and Logiehead (near Cullen).

It's that time of year though when the nights are drawing in, so while our outdoor sorties will be tailing off, we'll be indoor all the way through winter at a variety of our local climbing walls each week. Get in touch if you'd like to join us there.

13/10/2026

Saturday 17th (yes, Saturday rather than our usual Sunday) sees our first return to the Glenmore area since the wildfires of summer. The exclusion zone has contracted sufficiently to allow for a classic route taking in An Lochan Uaine (The Green Lochan) and a visit to Ryvoan Bothy, before we ascend up Meall a' Bhuachaille and take the ridge north-west to Craiggowrie. There's only a couple spaces remaining on the minibus, so be quick if you want to come along.

Other upcoming events:
Friday 16th - Stravaig walk - Burn o'Vat circuit
Wed eve 21st, 28th, Nov 4th - Navigation workshops
Thursday 29th - Midweek walk - Coiliochbhar
Nov 7/8 - members weekend at Muir Cottage
Wed eve Nov 11th - Merryn Glover talk

Climbing every Tuesday - beginning to trend towards indoor; though still some outdoor opportunities..

Current exclusion zones status:
https://cairngormclub.org.uk/cairngorms-exclusion-zones/Saturday 17th (yes, Saturday rather than our usual Sunday) sees our first return to the Glenmore area since the wildfires of summer. The exclusion zone has contracted sufficiently to allow for a classic route taking in An Lochan Uaine (the green lochan) and a visit to Ryvoan Bothy, before we ascend up Meall a Bhuachaille and take the ridge north-west to Craiggowrie. There's only a couple spaces remaining on the minibus, so be quick if you want to come along.

Other upcoming events:
Friday 16th - Stravaig walk - Burn o'Vat circuit
Wed eve 21st, 28th, Nov 4th - Navigation workshops
Thursday 29th - Midweek walk - Coiliochbhar
Nov 7/8 - members weekend at Muir Cottage
Wed eve Nov 11th - Merryn Glover talk

Climbing every Tuesday - beginning to trend towards indoor; though still some outdoor opportunities..

07/10/2026

The first of our winter series of evening talks takes place tonight - Calum Richardson who will talk around his campaign Service to Summit and will covers his previous and upcoming high altitude endeavours.
Sure to be an interesting topic to kick off this seasons winter talks.
7.30pm, Garden Room of the Fountainhall Church (Formerly Queens Cross Church) on Albyn Place, AB10 1YN.
The usual £3 from attendees on the night is requested with tea/coffee and biscuits on offer.

23/09/2026

We've just passed the equinox, so it seems like a good time for a reminder that the hours of darkness are longer, the temperatures are likely to be lower and the weather less benign. Please pack and plan appropriately.

This is also a good time to look over winter kit in case anything needs to be repaired or replaced before the season starts properly. Enjoy and stay safe.

12/09/2026

03/09/2026

It's September and autumn is on the horizon already (where did summer go..?). That means it's time for our classic through-traverse coach trip, always a great opportunity to see a scenic swathe of the mountains, and still clad in purple heather. This year's route we'll be travelling from the ski centre past Ben Macdui, where our shiny new indicator is in place, before taking in one of the finest views in the Cairngorms, from the Carn a Mhaim ridge looking down to the Dee meandering below The Devil's Point.
Sunday 13th September.
To find out more and to book: https://cairngormclub.org.uk/day-walk/cairngorms-traverse/

Also upcoming:
Fri 11th Keithhall Stravaig walk
Sun 13th Cairngorms traverse coach trip
Thu 24th Midweek walk Glen Brindy
Oct 7th Wed eve - first of our winter series of talks
Oct 9/10th Morvich Kintail weekend away
Outdoor climbing every Tuesday until end September

13/08/2026

New petition to fight walking ban at 4 popular Munros

Walkers are being asked to unite to challenge attempts to close Glen Lyon hills this autumn. Ramblers Scotland has today launched a petition to challenge a Perthshire estate's controversial 2-month ban on walkers accessing 4 popular Munros in Glen Lyon.

North Chesthill Estate, owned by Alastair Riddell, last year erected signs stating: "No Walking. We Are Stalking. September to October." The move sparked public outcry, national media coverage and criticism in the Scottish Parliament.

But now, the estate’s website is once again advising people to "walk elsewhere" from 1 September until the end of October. Ramblers Scotland says this is at odds with the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.

Its new petition at ramblers.org.uk/glenlyon is also backed by Walkhighlands and ScotWays.

04/08/2026

Our July day meet was a hot summer traverse from Glen Clova to Glen Muick - with most making good use of the conditions to take in a long tour via Jock's Road past Davie's Bourache then over to Tolmount, Cairn Bannoch and Broad Cairn. 3 munro's and 28km? Whew, thirsty work. Others decided a more relaxed route was required in the blazing heat, crossing via the Capel Mounth and Bachnagairn, some explorers thrashed off-trail visiting ruins, caves and waterfalls; no doubt grateful to get back up high and catch a cooling breeze.

Our next events:
8/9th - Ben Avon / Glen Builg overnighter
14th - Stravaig walk - Rhynie
14/15th - Inver Lael weekend
27th - Carnferg
Sept 4/5th - Langdale weekend
Outdoor climbing every Tuesday

22/07/2026

Wonderful weather graced the 12 intrepid campers (and campervaners) going 'doon the watter' to the wonderful island of Arran.
The Saturday saw 2 taking the infamous ridge from south to north taking in 3 Corbetts and the the infamous Witches Step. Another solo member summitting Beinn Tarsuinn returning via Glen Rosa.
Two climbers headed for the wonderful Cir Mhor in misty but dry conditions to tackle Souwester Slabs. Others decided to do a coastal route, keeping their hill legs for the clearer Sunday onslaught where the completed the circuit of 4 corbetts and tackled the tricky A'Chir peak up and down scramble - a big day out (pictures show the wonders). The 2 who tackled the south to north ridge on the Saturday summitted Goat Fell on the Sunday with the climbers back out on a wonderful sunny Arran day. A wonderful trip to the 'Scotland in Miniature' island that did not disappoint.

Our next events:
Saturday 25th - BBQ
Thursday 30th - Sgor Buidhe, Ballater
Sat/Sun 8/9 August - Corgarff to Keiloch via Ben Avon overnighter
Friday 14th - Rhynie - Stravaig walk
Fri/Sat eves 14/15th Inver Lael
Thursday 27th - Carnferg
Outdoor climbing every Tuesday