Bushcraft Meet in Aberdeenshire 2009?

[Dingus Magee]

Hi there

I saw some discussion on a thread regarding a meet in Aiberdeenshire...didn't seem to get off the ground, but if you know of any one local, or visiting, who might still be up for it....?

Bennachie area is good, with a 'wild camping' area at the back o' Bennachie; best to check with FC though.

Glen Tanar is a good, although justifiably popular, place to camp...they have fire places at both of their camping areas. very popular for D of E expeds though so might be best to wait until after the season is over.

What d'yall think? Any interest? Any other suggestions?

[Pandabean]

I too read about the possible Aberdeenshire meet but it seemed to have faded to the background.

I may be interested in a meet however I am still only a beginner.

[Barn Owl]

I'm interesred,but of course it all depends on when and what's happening home wise.

[Sniper]

I'd be interested too, subject to work etc.

[Dingus Magee]

I too read about the possible Aberdeenshire meet but it seemed to have faded to the background.

I may be interested in a meet however I am still only a beginner.

I'm a bushcraft beginner too, but have a fair bit of outdoors pursuits experience from years of hill walking, bothying, wild camping, Nordic skiing etc etc. I organise Adventure Training and D of E expeds for young people and for that reason would be happier to take a back seat in the organisation of anything 'bushcrafty' up here. Having said that, I'd be willing to pitch in and help out if somebody else was to take the lead.

It'd be nice to just get together around a camp-fire with a few like-minded individuals, sometime before the winter, and just 'shoot the breeze', 'chew the fat' or whatever seems right at the time. It would also be very nice to be oot camping without needing to think about consent forms, route cards, risk assessments etc. I've just bought a hammock & tarp and want to see if I can cope with them without ending up in a tangle of webbing and nylon on the deck lol.

What do y'all think about late September? I could check with the Glen Tanar rangers as to the availability of their excellent camping area, but we'd maybe have to set a limit on the numbers.

Let me know folks!

[stooboy]

id be up for it depending on dates.

Stoo

[locum76]

i could be up for this...

[kiltedpict]

I'd be interested too, dates depending... baby due in 7 weeks!

[CBJ]

Hey folks,
I would certainly be interested if there is a place and depending on dates.

and congratulations kiltedpic

CBJ

[Dingus Magee]

I'd be interested too, dates depending... baby due in 7 weeks!

Congratulations KiltedPict; hope all goes well...if we maybe left it until after September/October, most D of E Groups are finished with expeds and the Glen Tanar area should be less busy (...and Kilted Pict may be glad of a 'quiet' night lol). I'm happy to book the site as I have the contacts already but, as I explained before, I'm just lookin' for a blether around a camp-fire...don't want to get involved with organisin' anything specific. Feel free to organise something, or just go with the flow; at any rate, it'll be good to meet some 'bushcrafty folk' just to say hello.

[Sniper]

Congrats kiltedpict nice one mate.

[kiltedpict]

Cheers guys, can't wait till he/she is old enough to start coming out camping with me- I have a lot to learn yet so that I may teach.....

Glen Tanner for a bit of "Bushcraft TV", meet some of you guys and have a chat sounds perfect to me.

[belzeebob23]

Hi all
I would be intrested in a chat round the campfire then. all dependent on work commitments

Bob

[silvergirl]

Cheers guys, can't wait till he/she is old enough to start coming out camping with me- I have a lot to learn yet so that I may teach.....

As soon as possible is usually the best option. My daughter was a few weeks old her first trip (very portable at that stage)

I'd be interested in coming along, dates dependant, as long as its not a boys only club!

[Toddy]

Ahem !

Sincerely doubt it will be


cheers,
Toddy.........aka, Mary

[Ironside]

This would be great and a chance to meet some of you and hopefully get some tips and advice for a newbie such as myself.
The FC(S) run bushcraft courses at Pitfichie Forest (Bennachie) so this could be another location.

The quote below is from Fred Gordon, I think it links with the extract in the first post!

"Best palce is to have a look at the Back O' Bennachie car park area. There are toilets there, open during the season, and a few good streams about. Be discrete about where you camp and you shouldn't have a problem. Forestry Commission (Scotland) aren't over keen but remember the RESPONSIBLE element of the Scottish Outdoor Access Code and you should be OK. If you want to check with FC(S) then phone 01466 794161 PM me if you want more info."

September/October would be good, can't manage August.

Later Days

[Toddy]

Is there any member in the Aberdeenshire area who is prepared to co-ordinate a Meet ?

It's not complicated and you are not responsible for anyone else's safety or behaviour.
Basically it's everyone's own responsibility to act safely, to behave in a reasonable manner, to clear up behind themselves and leave nothing but thanks behind.

The previous Meets are usually done by someone going for a recce, and if the site is suitable, contacting the landowner, the local authority, Ranger Service or whoever oversees the property.

If permission is granted (remember a group this size is way outside the remit of responsible right of access ) sort out and note the nearest water sources, car parking and access routes.

Check that the site is suitable for open fires (we can bring group sized firebowls if needed ) and suss out the firewood situation.

f they are available, arrange access to the loos for simplicity. If no loos, sort out either a latrine point or an area for trowel use.

If the site asks for a fee, be upfront, explain that this is a group of varied individuals from different areas and might not all be free on the day, best laid plans and all that. Ask for a total fee if possible, and if not, a daily camp fee per person.
Don't make yourself responsible for collecting this but suggest the honour system and state clearly on the forum how much everyone is expected to contribute.

That's it really, tell us where and when, and await incoming bodies

I've been to a fair number of Meet ups, and without exception, they've all been good
It's not a party, it's a, "Hello Who are you ? Kettle's on.... and a busy day eventually followed by usually a communal meal, and later a dram and a blether around the fire to end the evenings off", kind of thing.


Anybody up for it ?

cheers,
Toddy

[silvergirl]

Ahem !

Sincerely doubt it will be


cheers,
Toddy.........aka, Mary

Didn't think it would be Mary, would be good if you were there

I was up Glen Tanner yesterday, the campground was a hive of activity. A scout group were in with fire going, bell tents all around and various camp gadgets being constructed.
I have to say I think its a perfect setting. I'd much prefer it to Benachie.
If Dingus Magee is happy to book the site and arrange the date, I'm sure there will be plenty takers. I'd do it myself but comitments at the moment mean I can't be definate about anything more than two weeks in advance.

[Firebringer]

I work away from home but home is in Aberdeen. It would be great to meet up with some folks.

[Dingus Magee]

Didn't think it would be Mary, would be good if you were there

I was up Glen Tanner yesterday, the campground was a hive of activity. A scout group were in with fire going, bell tents all around and various camp gadgets being constructed.
I have to say I think its a perfect setting. I'd much prefer it to Benachie.
If Dingus Magee is happy to book the site and arrange the date, I'm sure there will be plenty takers. I'd do it myself but comitments at the moment mean I can't be definate about anything more than two weeks in advance.

OK...I'll be up at Glen Tanar in a week or so and will ask the ranger as regards the situation for an 'off-season' bushcrafty type meet. If he is agreeable, I'll book a date some time in October and we can take it from there. I don't think that there would be a charge, but they would want to know how many people would be dossin' there. My main worry would be that there would be a vast influx of campers and that the site, as well as the 'trowel area', would become packed and unpleasant. I have no wish, or right, to be 'elitist' or to turn folk away, but how can we ensure that numbers are kept to a reasonable level? I rely upon the goodwill of this estate to continue to be allowed to take groups there.

DM

[para106]

Hi there, I'd be up for this if you don't mind a sassenach in your midst!? I'll be good & you'll hardly notice me...

Hey Locum - would this count as a 'bimble'??

Cheers
Al

[swanscot]

I'd really like to come to a Scottish meet and Glen Tanar sounds like a good spot to travel to. I'd like to invite my other half - numbers permitting.

[silvergirl]

I don't think that there would be a charge, but they would want to know how many people would be dossin' there. My main worry would be that there would be a vast influx of campers and that the site, as well as the 'trowel area', would become packed and unpleasant. I have no wish, or right, to be 'elitist' or to turn folk away, but how can we ensure that numbers are kept to a reasonable level? I rely upon the goodwill of this estate to continue to be allowed to take groups there.

I guess the simplist way is to make it not get too large (which I doubt it would) is to take the estates advise on suitable group size (its not that hugh a site really) then get people to add themselves to the list on a first come first serve basis and confirm nearer the time whether they can make it (there can be a reserve list).

Some meets I have organised on behalf of formal organisations state 'rules' such as being 'known' to someone who knows the organiser, but that doesn't apply here.
I certainly don't know you, and I've only been to one 'Bushcraft' meet orgnised through here. It was fairly laid back, though more could have been specified about toilet (trowel) arrangements and responisiblity for rubbish as not everyone seemed to fully understand their resposibilities.

Toddys advice is sound, make sure they know what sort of group they are getting, and clearly state on the meet thread that people must be responisible for themselves.

Let us know dates as soon as you can, should be a good weekend.

[kiltedpict]

Just wondering if there is any update yet as to dates etc? I am only 20 mins from Glen Tanar, and if I can help out with organising, just give me a shout- can't promise as baby due in less than 2 weeks, but will do my best.

ATB,

KP

[Front Room Woodlander]

I'm in.
Just make the when and where known and I'll turn up.

[Nonsuch]

I'm potentially up for it in October as long as it doesn't clash with half-term. WIll watch out for dates

Thanks to those who are willing to organise

NS

[kiltedpict]

Well, no update to the meet... but a wee update for me.... I have a lovely wee daughter, born yesterday at 21:28 by unplanned c-section. Both mum and baby are doing well, and I cant wait to introduce Beth to the outdoors.

[pwb]

Well, no update to the meet... but a wee update for me.... I have a lovely wee daughter, born yesterday at 21:28 by unplanned c-section. Both mum and baby are doing well, and I cant wait to introduce Beth to the outdoors.

Nice one . Congratulations Kp.

A T B,

Pete.

[Toddy]

Well, no update to the meet... but a wee update for me.... I have a lovely wee daughter, born yesterday at 21:28 by unplanned c-section. Both mum and baby are doing well, and I cant wait to introduce Beth to the outdoors.

Congratulations ! hope Mum and daughter are thriving
Catch up on your sleep while you can though

cheers,
Toddy

[Sniper]

well done mate congratulations and best wishes to mum.