Bennachie Bosie Success
June 2019
“Amazing experience”, “emotional”, “really special occasion” just some of the reactions from the 400 people who took part in the “give Bennachie a bosie” event organised by conservation charity the Bailies of Bennachie.
The sun shone as walkers made their way from the Back of Bennachie car park up and over the hill to Mither Tap where at midday they linked hands to form a circle around the base to give the hill a hug.
Outreach officer for the Bailies of Bennachie, Fiona Cormack said:
“It was a special moment to have everyone joined together around the top of the hill. Participants sang along to the sound of the Kintore Pipe Band playing Scotland the Brave, Flower of Scotland and Auld Lang Syne. Some did a Mexican wave, others swung arms and some took a little time to reflect on their reasons for doing the walk.”
“The youngest person taking part was a child of one in a baby carrier. There were lots of children and many pensioners too. One family from New South Wales in Australia took part and there was great support for this community event from the towns and villages around Bennachie,”
“Mither Tap means “mother’s breast” and that led us to raise money for breast cancer care and the University of Aberdeen Development trust’s research into cures for breast cancer through this event. We know that many people who have been affected by the disease took part in the walk.”
One of them, Kate Brosman, from Daviot said she was last up Bennachie after her diagnosis and before her treatment. She said:
“I promised myself that I would come back once I was through the other side. It has been a while and I wasn’t sure that I would make it to the top today but I was just up in time for the bosie and feel I have parked the whole experience there.”
Funds raised are being spilt after costs between the two breast cancer charities and the Aberdeen Mountain rescue trust who provided marshals and first event on the day. The Kemany Scout group also came out to help with members assisting with car parking and marshalling.
After the boise walkers returned to the field at the Back of Bennachie where they rested in the sunshine and enjoyed pizza, ice cream and coffee and cakes provided by local caterers.
Fiona added:
“The bailies of Bennachie are delighted that this has been such a tremendous success. This is a very special hill in the hearts of many in the North East of Scotland and we are delighted that so many came to celebrate Mither Tap and raise money for these deserving charities.”
