Drama at glenshee

“Reading of the drama at Glenshee in 1984 in The Courier last week brought back memories of spending a night in my car at Glenshee,” emails Mike Cheesewright. “We were living at Banchory at the time. My sons Alan (17) and Alister (11) had been asking when they could go skiing. The weather forecast stated that it would be very windy from mid-morning.

“I said we could go early, purchase half-day tickets and come home early. We left Banchory about 7am and drove to Glenshee. The road was almost clear of snow but a little windy.

“We purchased half day skiing tickets and went first to the Sunnyside ski tow. We managed to enjoy various runs but the wind increased and we decided that we should go back to the car, pack our gear and head for home.

“Then I was told that both roads north and south were closed due to drifting snow! We put on all the extra warm clothing we had and I managed to get hot drinks from the café.

“After a long night in the car, I noticed when it started to get light that I could only see out of one side of the car. The wind had blown the snow into drifts right to the top of the car! I put all my heavy clothes on, collected my shovel and cleared the snow.

“We were told that we could leave our car in the car park and transport would take us to Braemar, from where we could get a bus to Banchory. I said that I was not prepared to leave a nearly new car in the car park.

“Later, some cars seemed to be moving towards the road. We followed and were told that the road south was now open.

“We took the long route home by Blairgowrie, Coupar Angus and Stonehaven. Eventually we turned on to the A957 which appeared to be well ploughed. We drove as far as the ‘Slug’ hill only to find that the snow plough had turned at the bottom!

“I decided to try driving up on the wrong side of the snow-covered road in very windy conditions and was almost at the top when I discovered an abandoned Land Rover blocking the road.

I had no choice but to reverse a good half mile back down the road with the driver’s door partly open because it was the only way I could see.

“I then had to drive back to Stonehaven and take the A90 to Aberdeen and the A93 home to Banchory. It was great to be safely home at last after two rather long days.”

“A large flock of these birds descended on my cotoneaster bush and stripped it clean of berries,” says Jim Jack of Monifieth. “I have had waxwings do this before but not fieldfares (which I think these are). It may be something to do with the recent...