Corrachree info

by kind permission of Mrs A. Milner-Moore, Dinnet Estates, Forest Enterprise Douneside Estate, Tillypronie Estate, The Ross Partnership and N.F. Massie

Route: mainly moorland and tracks with some forest and tarmac, highest climb 150m.

From Aberdeen: A93 to Aboyne. B9094 to Tarland. Left immediately before bridge at end of village signposted to Logie Coldstone. Pass caravan park, then left at main gate to Corrachree House one mile from Tarland. Follow road to right past big house to Home Farm.

From North: A97 to Strathdon. Left at A944 junction signposted to Ballater. Continue on A97. Fort left toward Tarland after 5 mins. Left at T junction. Right after 250m through main gates to Corrachree House. Follow road to right past big house to Home Farm.

From West: A93 to Aboyne. Left onto B9094 to Tarland as per Aberdeen directions.

NO DOGS PLEASE anywhere on route. Rider elimination will occur if crews have dogs on route.

This year there are four distance options on offer : pleasure (19km) 30km, 50km and 60km. The pleasure and 30km are largely the same as last year with the omission of the steep stony descent to Redburn. The 50km is a combination of the pleasure and 30km loops, but the 60km incorporates a wholly new loop to the north of Tarland.

There is inevitably some roadwork to do but following that, the route leads up to the Tillypronie ridge which undulates at just under 2000 ft from Humphrey’s well to Lazywell. The views are stunning in all directions, well worth the effort. This route was last ridden some 10 years ago as part of the Cushnie ride and other sections formed part of the Dinnet ride also from more than 10 years ago. This year’s 60km riders are therefore not guinea pigs!

However, to justify putting on this route we need at least 5 entries. It has taken a lot of effort to set up and will be more effort to mark and man it.

Please give it a try – the horses will love it!

Tony's ride covers stunning scenery and is as always well marked and managed. Get your entries in now as marking Part 2 of the 60k is a serious additional amount of work and need the entries to to make it worthwhile.

If you can't ride please offer to help, Carola awaits your offer Carola MacCallum, carola_maccallum@yahoo.co.uk