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Introduction
Ø We are a friendly, Dundee based hillwalking club, who arrange
a programme of walks January through to December, mostly on the 3rd
Sunday of each month (please check our programme).
Ø Our walks are agreed at our AGM in November, using our
extensive catalogue of previous walks and suggestions from members.
Ø Some walks are circular to a particular area, some are linear
(taking advantage of using a bus to take us on our monthly trips).
Who can
join us on meets?
Ø Anyone
with an interest in exploring Scotland’s hills – you can be a novice or
experienced walker – we’d be happy to welcome you along and support you to
make the right choices to enjoy your days out with us.
Ø If you
were hoping to bring along someone under the age of 16, please talk to us
first. We would expect the accompanying adult to be responsible for their
child’s wellbeing and ensure they are capable of completing the chosen
walk, within the allowed timescales.
Ø A
child under the age of 16 would be charged half the adult fare. They would
not be expected to become a member of the Club to allow them to attend
future meets.
Ø No
pets are allowed on our meets, except guide dogs.
Booking.
Ø It is
important to book your seat on the bus in advance. Please contact the Meet Secretary, Roddie
McKenzie, by email caleyhillwalking@protonmail.com
preferably a week before the meet.
We’ll get back to you with further contact information to progress
your enquiry, and/or confirm your bus booking.”
Ø A meet
booking sheet for the next trip is always passed round the bus on return
journeys so you can sign up then too.
Ø Please cancel as soon as you
know you can no longer go, but don’t call off on the day
of the meet if you can avoid this.
Ø As the Club seeks to minimise financial losses
on bus meets, if anyone wishes to voluntarily offer the Treasurer, the next
time they are on the bus, a half fare contribution to cover a previous late
cancellation/non appearance, this would be most welcome. “Late” means after
12 noon on the Thursday before a meet.
How Meets
Are Run?
Ø Most
meets start at 8 am, but in June and August we start at 7 am to give a
longer day out.
Ø Return
times vary from about 6pm in winter to around 8.30pm midsummer.
Ø Transport
is provided by JP Coaches, Orchardbank Industrial Estate, Forfar, and you
can get on and off there by arrangement or at a nearby pickup point if the
bus is travelling north. Please say
when booking your seat if you would plan to board here.
Ø We
always have two Dundee pickup points – Strathmartine Road and City Road. If
our bus route takes us along the A90 towards Perth, we also have a pickup
at Invergowrie. Please see our “Bus Times” page for fuller information.
Ø It is important to get to the
pickup points in good time – the bus cannot wait.
Paying for meets?
Ø Fares
are collected on the outward journey by the Treasurer. The cost is
currently £20 per trip, half price for under 16s.
Ø All
participants over the age of 16 will pay a membership fee at the beginning
of each year (£10 currently). If you are new to the Club, you will only be
asked for such a fee on your 2nd attendance, giving you the opportunity to
decide you’d like to continue
walking with us.
Ø We
also take a collection for the driver on the return journeys. What you give
is at your discretion.
Choice of
Walks
Ø Before
each trip, the Meet Secretary will circulate some potential routes by
email. There will usually be higher and lower level options, except if we
are completing a through walk, when we all might go the same way but at
different speeds!!
Ø If you
can, think about where you might want to walk before the meet. However, you
need to be aware your first choice may not always be an option, depending
on what others want to do.
Ø The
Meet Secretary will normally go round the bus sharing options for walks and
ensuring that everyone has their name against a walk; you will be helped to
decide which group you might join if you are uncertain or new to the club.
Ø We
only ask that you do not walk alone and though we don’t appoint leaders
there will always be at least one competent navigator for each walk.
Ø Please
make sure you know who you will be walking with and the time for being back
at the bus before you get off. If you decide to leave your group and join
another, please make sure people in your old and new groups know.
Ø At
least one member of each group should have the driver’s mobile number in
case there are unexpected issues about your return time. Bear in mind you often obtain a better
signal the higher you are. If you decide to extend a walk while on the
hills, you should be sure it won’t make you late.
Ø It is important to choose a walk which is within
your capabilities and which you will be able to complete in the time
allowed. How hard a walk is depends not only on the distance and how fit
you are, but also on the amount of ascent, the terrain, whether or not
there is a path, and the weather. Snow cover, rain, mist or strong wind can
slow you down a lot. If conditions deteriorate, don’t be afraid to turn
back or cut your route short - both to ensure your own safety and to make
sure you’re back at the bus by the expected time.
Ø Most
people travel as far as the bus goes, but you can start/finish your walk
anywhere as long as it is on the bus route. If you want to finish somewhere
else be sure to agree a pickup place and time with the Meet Secretary
What to
take
Ø It is
very important for your safety and comfort that you have suitable
clothing, equipment and food and drink with you for your walk. Remember
that higher up on the hills the weather can be very different from that
down below.
Ø We’d
recommend at least walking boots, waterproof jacket and over trousers,
hat and gloves, rucksack with liner and food/refreshments for your day on
the hills, a survival bag and whistle. A torch especially in winter
(November-February) is a must. It’s not a good idea to wear jeans. Some
people carry extra gloves, hat and socks.
Ø It’s
also a good idea to leave a set of clothes/comfortable footwear on the bus just in case
you need or want to change when you get back.
Return
Journey
Ø On the
way back to Dundee, the bus usually stops for around half an hour somewhere
that has a chip shop, cafe or pub. In certain circumstances the bus may
travel straight home; but we will tell you this as soon as we can when we
are altogether back on the bus.
Contact
Addresses
Ø The
Club should hold emergency contact details for everyone – just in case!
This will usually be completed on your first outing and the information
retained for future use. If you have not provided this please ask for a
form.
What to Do
Next?
Ø Look
at our other website pages and, if you still have questions, please get in
touch (see Contact Us page for details). The primary person to contact
would be the Meet Secretary but others would be happy to help if he’s not
around). We’d love to hear from you
and be even happier to see you on our bus on a future trip.
NEW
MEMBERS VERY WELCOME
 All walkers must
accept that hillwalking, climbing and mountaineering are activities with a
danger of personal injury or death and must accept these
risks
voluntarily and be responsible for their own actions and involvement.
The Caledonian
Hillwalking Club accepts no liability for any personal injury or any loss
of or damage to personal belongings on any of its meets.
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