The annual J. Alister Sword photography competition will take place online, with the deadline for submissions being ***29 June 2020***. All photos will be published on the Club’s members-only Facebook Group and on the Club’s website. Members may vote either by “liking” a photo on the Facebook group, or by emailing votes to the address below. Competition rules: 1. Competition is open to current members of the Moray Mountaineering Club only. 2. Two categories: “Scottish” and “Non-Scottish”. 3. Any subject with a mountaineering theme (landscapes, people, macros, wildlife, etc.). 4. Entries must have been taken in the last 12 months. 5. Submit up to a maximum of two photographs per…
Mountaineering Scotland’s Phase 1 COVID-19 Guidance
We are all really keen to get back to the hills. But before getting too excited, have a read of Mountaineering Scotland’s COVID-19 webpage and Phase 1 Guidance for a return to hill walking and climbing during COVID-19 (Published 28 May 2020). The main points are: Stay local: Follow the current public health guidance for Scotland to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19. Be prepared: Car parks, toilets and other facilities may remain closed. Be safe: Plan ahead and stay well within your limits – whatever your activity – to avoid the need for rescue and emergency services. Be considerate: Think about how your actions might impact on others and…
Innes Thomson – Obituary
It is with sadness that we report the death of Innes Thomson on the 14 April 2020, aged 77 years. Innes was a member of the Moray Mountaineering Club for several years.
Weekend Meet Report, Muir Cottage, Braemar, March 2020
The March Weekend Meet was to “the far side” of the Cairngorms. An excellent venue that promises excellent walking, mountain biking and skiing at this time of year, and despite some mixed weather, didn’t disappoint. On Saturday, after much discussion about plans A, B and C, Dan and Sheena “undertook a circular walk from Muir Cottage via Glen Quoich, Clais Fhearnaig and Glen Lui. The first surprise was seeing a pair of Sea Eagles fly up from the banks of the River Dee. They were initially quite close, but circled rapidly skywards and disappeared into the mist. These birds are now quite a familiar sight on the west coast, but…
COVID-19: All Club Activities Suspended
All Club Activities are suspended until further notice. That includes the AGM, which was scheduled for 26 March.
Weekend Meet, Dundonnell, 3+4 April 2020 ** CANCELLED **
When: Nights of Fri 3 and Sat 4 April 2020 Venue: The Smiddy, Dundonnell, OS Grid Ref NH 095 877 (Google StreetView) Cost: £10/person/night; £1 coin meter for power Facilities: Accommodation for 10 on alpine-style sleeping platforms with mattresses. Electric lighting, heating, water heater and cooking; microwave oven; fridge; all utensils supplied; open fire (coal supplied); running water; WC The Smiddy is at the foot of An Teallach and handy for the northern Fannichs and the Fisherfield Munros. Gruinard crag close by has good climbing and the loch offers kayaking. What is not to like? Contact Simon Jacyna to book your place. Currently…
Cancelled: Bus Meet, Ben More Coigach (traverse to Achiltibuie), 15 March 2020
Date: Sunday 15 March 2020 Venue: Ben More Coigach Pick-up Times: Elgin (07:00); Forres (07:20); Nairn (07:40); Inverness (08:00) Arrival Time: 09:30 Departure Time: 17:30 Cost: £15pp The bus will drop members off near Strathcanaird, allowing a traverse over Ben More Coigach and Sgurr an Fhidhleir – two outstanding Grahams. Members also have the option of being dropped off to undertake ascents of Cul Beag (Corbett) or Stac Pollaidh (Graham). Stac Pollaidh has numerous climbing routes…
Ceilidh, 22 Feb 2020
The Moray Mountaineering Club ceilidh, featuring Rory and the MTs, will be held at Bishopmill Hall on Saturday 22 Feb 2020 from 7:30. Tickets are £10pp, including stovies. Bring your own bottle. Tickets are available from any committee member or at the door. Friends, relatives, partners, non-members are all most welcome. There will be a raffle with all proceeds going to Mountain Rescue. Donations to the raffle are welcome.
Weekend Meet Report, Glen Etive, Feb 2020
Numbers for this meet were looking very strong until forecasts for Storm Ciara started to hit the headlines, whereupon there was a definite drop in enthusiasm. None the less, twelve hardy souls made the long drive with several doing something on the Friday to catch the best of weather. Inbhirfhaolain is a pleasant hut about half way down Loch Etive and this was the first time we had been there for a couple of years. First off was Dave Treagus who parked at the Glen Coe ski centre and went up Meall a’Bhuraidh watching a few desperate skiers attempting to do something on the ice. The ridge over to Creise…
Weekend Meet, Braemar, 6+7 March 2020
Date: Nights of 6 & 7 March 2020 Venue: Muir Cottage, Inverey (8km west of Braemar), Google Maps, Grid Ref NO 077 897 Facilities: Fully equipped kitchen, several bedrooms, showers, drying room, wood-burning stove. Cost: £25pp for the weekend Muir Cottage is a well-equipped mountaineering hut, situated amongst pine trees next to the River Dee. It is less than two kilometres to the Linn of Dee, the starting point for most of the southern Cairngorm hills. If there is snow about, then there are plenty of ski touring opportunities, or…