Aberdeen Hillwalking Club

INTRODUCTION TO THE CLUB

New Name

At  the AGM of 6 February 2008 it was agreed to change the name of the club from the Aberdeen Telephones Hillwalking Club, shortening it to the current name of Aberdeen Hillwalking Club. A great deal of thought and discussion went into this seemingly simple name change taking into account the history of the club and more importantly it’s future. It was felt that the continued inclusion of the word ‘Telephones’ within the title gave the impression that there was some sort of restriction on who could join the club.

Membership

The Club is one of the oldest in the Aberdeen area, being formed in the 1940s by staff of the then nationalised telephone service.  Although the Club still retains affiliation to the local British Telecom Sports Club, it now has a very broad membership from all walks of life and is open for anyone to join.

The annual membership fees are currently £12 for adults, £6 for juniors (aged under 16) and £1 for day members.  

Regular outings

The Club has a regular programme of fortnightly Sunday outings each year from late February/early March to early November and monthly winter walks in December, January and early February. Outings are by hired coach leaving from New Telecom House, South College St., with a second pick-up point at Duthie Park, Riverside Drive.  Advance booking is necessary for these outings.

The annual programme comprises a rich variety of both ‘point – to – point’ walks and circular walks. The Club does not operate a leader/back marker system and instead issues individual route notes and maps; ideally, participants should have map reading and navigational skills. However, this is not essential as guidance will be provided for inexperienced walkers. Suitable outdoor clothing and footwear is essential. Walkers wearing denim clothing may be turned away.

 A change of clothes can normally be left on the coach and tea or coffee is usually provided at the conclusion of most walks.

Week hike

Each year the Club organises a hiking week in some part of Scotland, utilising hostel accommodation.  This generally takes place in May.

Foreign trek holidays

In some recent years a small group of members have organised two week trekking holidays in Europe.  In recent years, these have been based in the Alps, Pyrenees, and the Dolomites.

Management of the Club

The affairs of the Club are managed by a committee, consisting of President, Vice-president, Secretary, Treasurer, Booking Secretary, Auditors (2) and up to seven additional members.

The Committee meets regularly and, in addition to managing the day-to-day affairs of the Club, arranges an Annual General Meeting in February for the full membership during which Club policies are decided and the annual programme of outings is agreed.

The Club Secretary and/or Booking Secretary should be contacted for further information about membership and outings.