For the annual Cairngorm winter meet, we were hoping to provide the opportunity to practice and develop the skills of walking safely on snow and ice and using ice axes and crampons. Alternatively others were hoping to get up onto the Cairngorm plateau for a walk around the Northern Corries or maybe Ben Macdui. Unfortunately the weather had other ideas! As we headed up the road to the Ski Centre car park, the large neon sign indicated that the road was closed and snow clearing was in progress. We came to a standstill in the long queue of cars at Loch Morlich and as there was no knowing how long…
December 2014 Bus Meet Report: Achnashellach
The venue for this year’s Christmas meet was Achnashellach which is always an excellent location for hill walking, but again, like last year’s Christmas meet, there was heavy rain for most of the day. Despite the awful weather forecast, thirty-nine members and one guest braved the conditions and were determined to enjoy the day. The Christmas meal was held at the nearby Ledgowan Hotel which is a typical old-style highland hotel and perfect for this type of function. The heavy rain and predicted high winds restricted the walking options but George’s gang of Graham M, Graeme M, Alan, Fiona, Jake, Drummond, Dan, Colin, Bill, Steve, Denise and Brent got off…
December 2014 Weekend Meet Report: Kintail
We stood outside, alone. I could see her breath in the air as she spoke. “I’m up for it. I just don’t know if it’s a good idea. I can’t make that judgement call, and if you’re not sure about it that’s fine…” Her voice trailed off and white vapour evaporated in the inky black air. I looked down at the frost glistening on the tarmac road, and then up. Up to the mountains. The steep craggy flanks, the snowline, the ridges above and the sky beyond. Clouds flitted across the sky, above the tops, sometimes in front of the full moon that hung there like a light bulb. I…
January 2015 Bus Meet: Cairngorm
Sunday 18th January 2015 OS Map: 36 Bus Stop: Coire Cas car park Arrival Time: 09:30 Departure Time: 17:00 Leave Elgin: 07:00 We are heading back to Cairngorm again this January and Ray and Steve have kindly offered to provide some winter skills transfer with those who wish to take part. A number of topics will be covered including the use of ice axe and crampons. Ice axe, crampons and helmet will be required as well as your usual Winter walking gear. The Ptarmigan restaurant may be visited, so bring along some money for tea and cake. If you would like to take part in Winter skills, please contact Ray…
New Year 2015 Meet: Muir Cottage, Inverey (nr. Braemar)
Date: Wednesday 31st December 2014 to Sunday 4th January 2015 (4 Nights) Venue: Muir Cottage, Inverey (circa 1.5km from Linn of Dee) If you would like to attend this year’s Hogmanay / New Year meet, which if previous years are anything to go by will be a fantastic mix of socialising, food, booze, party games with plenty of hillwalking thrown in, then please book NOW to avoid disappointment. Number of places booked: 18 Cost: £40 for 4 nights (please note cost is £40 regardless if you actually stay 1, 2, 3 or 4 nights) To reserve your place on this meet please contact Joe Glennie asap and confirm your place by sending Joe…
MMC atop the Duke of Gordon Monument Pillar
The Duke of Gordon Monument on top of Lady Hill, Elgin was erected in 1839 in honour of the fifth Duke of Gordon, the first commander of the Gordon Highlander’s regiment. The Duke’s statue was placed atop the pillar in 1855. The column is 90 feet high and inside there is a spiral staircase leading to the top of the column. Atop the pillar are a number of floodlights which light up the statue. Since the 1980s, the Moray Mountaineering Club have assisted the Council by voluntarily replacing the floodlight bulbs. Today, Richard, Dan, Jane, Andy and Joe ascended the internal staircase, rigged a safety rope around the circumference of…
November 2014 Weekend Meet Report: Inchnadamph
Inchnadamph and November go hand in hand, like whisky and cake, or beer and crisps. The indescribably beautiful part of Scotland that is Assynt, glorious in the sunshine and perhaps a tad more gorgeous when dark and brooding, when clouds sweep off the Atlantic to batter each of the oh so distinctive hills and cling to their craggy forms. In November there is a good chance of “changeable” weather, and an equally good chance of not being attacked by the billions of midgies that inhabit this wet and wild land. The previous two November Inchnadamph meets had coincided with bonfire night so fireworks had been taken to celebrate. Last year…