"Watch Far Ye're Pittin' Ye're Feet!" (by Eric Wm. Walker)
The US Navy Edzell Hillwalking Club was formed by Chaplain William Moser, USN, and William Christison, Chapel Janitor, and Eric Walker in 1971. "Willey" and I were both founder members of the local Carn Dearg Mountaineering Club in1947.
Hundreds of US servicemen and women were out on the mountains and in the glens of Scotland - in Luibeg, the Lhairig Ghru, Cairngorm, Braeriach, the hills in Glenesk and Glenlethnot, and many other long hikes in all kinds of weather. I think however that the days and nights spent in and around the Balmoral estates around Her Majesty The Queen's Scottish home at Balmoral Castle was by far the most enjoyable.
On the weekend nearest the longest day of the year (summer solstice) many hundreds of Americans along with their Scottish and British friends set off from the car park at Spital of Glen Muick (the word spital, as in Spital of Muick, Spital of Glenshee, etc. means a place of shelter or hospitality for travellers on roads through the mountains, usually a day's ride from one to another, and is connected with the Knights Templar hundreds of years ago).
Leaving our transport at Spital of Muick
and starting off at
around
11 p.m. we walked the
seven long hard miles on
up past the Royal Hunting Lodge (shiel or shelter) at Alt-Na-Giuthasach
(the
house by the trees) and on up the long trail via Meikle Pap, the
Boulder
Field, Red and Black Spouts, and on over the summit plateau to the peak
of
Lochnagar, Cac-Carn-Beag (3789 feet / 1155 metres : map and data from
Bartholomew, 1996).
Always very cold, sometimes even snowing, we would wait for the rising of the sun. This has been a traditional event in Scotland, indeed in Britain, back to the time of the ancient peoples, the Picts, Celts, Druids, etc.
Often we were clouded over but other times we experienced the sight of the sun rising like a ball of flame and gradually spreading its rays over hundreds of miles of mountains and valleys below us. A short service by Chaplain Moser was enjoyed by all of us and, for those who wished, a small dram was drunk.
We would then make our way down the mountain, sometimes taking the longer nine mile trail down to the other hunting lodge of Glas-Alt-Shiel (the house by the clear water), passing Queen Victoria's Waterfall and hiking along Loch Muick to Alt-Na-Giuthasach and then to our transport at Spital of Muick.
Travelling home to Edzell via South Deeside, over Cairn o' Mounth to Fettercairn then to the Base a great feeling of camaraderie, achievement, and happiness was enjoyed by all. We had all done something together which we enjoyed and it was this which ensured that Chaplain Moser's hillwalking club continued for many years.
The above drawing, by Queen Empress Victoria herself, is one of a favourite stopping place of hers and her Consort Prince Albert. It has been visited by all of the Royal Family and Crown Heads of Europe since Balmoral Castle was built, and it is still loved by the present Royal Family.
Looking in through the windows it can be seen that this is a simple Highland home, simply and comfortably furnished. We often had our evening meal and breakfast on the lawn there. When I think of the great days on the hills and mountains my first thoughts travel to the times spent at Alt-Na-Giuthasach with all our American friends. The sight of herds of deer and other wildlife gave us all much pleasure. Songs were sung and friendships made which shall never be forgotten.
I often meet "Willey" Christison, who now lives in The Glade Nursing Home, Brechin, and our talk always turns to the strong bond of friendship made walking the mountains and Glens of Scotland.
Anyone who recalls the walks, please give us a call and possibly we could record our many happy times in an illustrated book.
"Watch Far Ye're Pittin' Ye're Feet!"