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The
Ben Vrackie Renaissance –
October 2007
31
of the 32 seats were filled as Gordon’s luxury coach pulled away from
Midstocket Road. Was the full coach due to the excitement of Jim being
our new President or to the approaching Christmas Party walk? Well my
money is on Jim to lead us into the sunlit uplands where active walking
Stockets are queuing up to board ever bigger coaches!
Jim
introduced himself – there were potential new members aboard – and
welcomed everyone warmly. Bob did the rounds describing the walk while
Derek and Sylvie collected the money – they didn’t dare get it wrong for
Graeme. There was a real buzz around the coach – and it wasn’t
mechanical. The journey passed uneventfully apart from the toilets –
blocked in Dundee and too expensive for Aberdonians at Pitlochry. We were
soon off, walking north towards Killiecrankie – all except Lois and Tony
who were already revving up to run the walk – an expensive idea because
this gave them time for shopping later – irresistible.
Early on we were concerned to see our President running on ahead – was
this a sign of things to come? But no, he wanted a group photo while we
were still together. Further on Bob stopped us at the Priest’s Stone and
told us all he knew about it – “it’s called the Priest’s Stone”. Very
soon we were snacking beside the Clunie Tunnel Arch, a tunnel section
erected as a memorial to the building of the local hydro scheme 1946-50.
 We
made good progress to Killiecrankie, enjoying the stunning autumn colours
of the trees and great views of the rivers Tummel and Garry. The Pass of
Killiecrankie was at one time one of the most dangerous passes in
Scotland, but now is notable for the Soldier’s Leap where Donald MacBean
is said to have leapt the river to escape pursuing Highlanders. He must
have guessed what they had in mind if they caught him.
From
Killiecrankie we headed upwards through farmland towards to moorland
around Ben Vrackie. At the gate to the open moor, some Stockets were
lucky enough to meet “Hamish the dog” with his owner Lord Forsyth of
Drumlean (as Michael Forsyth he was Margaret Thatcher’s Secretary of State
for Scotland at the time of the Poll Tax). Stockets seemed to find the
dog more interesting than its owner. Sic transit gloria mundi Michael.
At
the loch, a stone staircase beckoned us upwards into the murk towards the
summit of Ben Vrackie – not a place to linger on the day. There are more
and more of these stone staircases around the country – they may keep the
hillsides tidy but they’re very hard on my old feet going down. 
Anyway, there I was standing in the corner of the loch with water almost
up to the top of my boots trying to cure their creaking, when I made audio
contact with two frogs. I flexed my ankles – “creak creak” and was
answered with “croak croak” from both adjoining banks. I was still
enjoying my conversation with the puddocks when the Stockets appeared down
the hill in a rush and that was the end of that. Onwards and downwards at
increasing speed towards the pub.
Old
Remedial, Braveheart and Atholl Ale are just a few of the pleasures
available at the Moulin – one of the greatest “end of the walk” pubs known
to the Stockets. Liz expressed her long felt wish to spend a night of
DB&B at the Moulin – so there you are guys – there’s your way to her
heart.
 All
too soon it was time to drink up and board the bus. In spite of being
dragged away from the ales, we gave Jim three hearty cheers as we headed
for home. Back at Midstocket before 7.30 was a good ending to an
enjoyable day.
Alan Smail
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26/01/2008
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