The Cairngorm Club is a mountaineering and hill‑walking organization based in Aberdeen, Scotland. It was founded on 24 June 1887 at Clach Dhion (the Shelter Stone) above Loch A’an in the Cairngorms by Alexander Copland, Rev. Robert Lippe, Alexander Inkson M’Connochie, Rev. C. C. Macdonald, W. A. Hawes and W. Anderson. The club is recognised as the oldest and one of the largest hill‑walking and climbing clubs in Scotland.
History
- Formation – Although the inaugural meeting occurred in June 1887, some contemporary sources record the formal establishment date as 1889; this discrepancy appears in the Scottish Mountaineering Club (SMC) District Guide.
- Early activities – The founders celebrated their first ascent of Ben Macdui by setting off fireworks for Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee. The club’s first formal meeting took place in Aberdeen on 9 January 1889, and its inaugural field meet was held on 9 July 1889 at Nethy Bridge Hotel, during which members climbed Cairn Gorm and Ben Macdui from Glenmore Lodge. Rev. Lippe served as the first Vice‑President.
- Facilities – From 1951 to 1967 the club leased Derry Lodge on the Mar Lodge Estate; after the lease ended the building remained vacant. In June 1950 the club acquired a hut at Muir of Inverey (often referred to as “Muir Cottage”) near Braemar, which was subsequently extended in 1972 to provide dormitories, showers and communal rooms. The hut is available for use by members of recognised hill‑walking and climbing clubs throughout the year.
- Charitable status – The Cairngorm Club was registered as a Scottish charity on 11 July 2017.
Purpose and Activities
The club’s stated objectives are to encourage mountaineering pursuits, promote competence, safety and knowledge, and foster responsible attitudes toward the mountain environment. It organises regular walks, climbs, training sessions and weekend trips across Scotland, with particular emphasis on the Cairngorms. Specialized events have included multi‑day camping expeditions, rock‑climbing courses, and projects to improve mountain infrastructure.
Publications
Since 1893 the club has produced the Cairngorm Club Journal (CCJ). Early editors included Alexander Inkson McConnochie. The journal contains trip reports, scientific articles on flora, fauna and geology of the Cairngorms, historical essays, and notices of club projects. All issues have been digitised and are publicly accessible online; the most recent volume (23 No. 114) was issued in 2022.
Infrastructure Projects
The Cairngorm Club has funded a number of footbridge constructions within the Cairngorms, notably:
- The Iron Bridge (Cairngorm Club Footbridge) over Am Beanaidh in Rothiemurchus Forest, erected 1912.
- Bridges over Luibeg Burn at Preas nam Meirleach (1948), the River Dee near Corrour Bothy, and the River Quoich near Linn of Quoich (2016–17).
These structures improve access for walkers while minimizing environmental impact.
Governance
As of 2022 the club’s president is Garry Wardrope. The organisation operates under a committee elected by its membership, with positions covering finance, routes, conservation and communications.
Membership
The Cairngorm Club welcomes individuals interested in hill‑walking, mountaineering, climbing and related mountain sports. Membership provides access to the Muir Cottage hut, subscription to the CCJ, and eligibility to participate in club‑organised events and projects.
References: Wikipedia entry “Cairngorm Club”, club website cairngormclub.org.uk, historical records from the Scottish Mountaineering Club District Guide.