A north-east village’s inaugural celebration of the great outdoors has been hailed a sell-out success.
Hundreds of people from every corner of the UK arrived in Deeside at the weekend for the first ever Braemar Mountain Festival (BMF).
Events were held on hilltops, ski slopes and in venues throughout the community as part of the winter festivities aimed at promoting activities in the region.
One of the BMF’s organisers, Sue Harper, said last night the weekend had been such a hit that plans are already being made for next year.
The launch of Geoff Allan’s latest work, the Scottish Bothy Bible, and a “mountaineering and adventure” talk by Victor Saunders both went down a storm.
There was also a talk by Alec Finlay on Cairngorms place names.
Fresh snow meant skiing events could proceed, along with workshops on avalanche awareness, navigation skills, winter skills and ski fixing.
There were also film and music nights and art and photography shows.
Scholar Samantha Walton gave a talk about Aberdeen novelist and poet, Nan Shepherd – renowned for her writing about the Cairngorms; which also proved a hit.
It was followed by a walk to the cottage where she would stay when visiting the mountains, with the current owner giving some 50 participants exclusive access to the building.
Mrs Harper, who has scaled Mount Everest, said: “It has exceeded our expectations. Every event has just about sold out. The snow came and everybody loved it.
“People were ski-touring, doing avalanche awareness, winter skills, hill-walking up in the snow, and then there were the talks.
“The cafes were full, accommodation has been full. It has been brilliant in the village.
“We are planning next year already. We spoke to someone who has come from Orkney, and people from England.
“Often, when we have events it is mainly supported by locals – this has been the opposite.
“Next year will be bigger and better.”
