The venue for the October Bus Meet was Assynt which has an impressive array of outstanding mountains. The rocks in this area are predominantly gneiss, on top of which sandstone hills have weathered to create some of the weird and magnificent shapes typical of this region. Some would say that these are some of the best small hills in the World (yes…. The World!). A total of 28 people turned out for this meet and the weather was calm and mild with great visibility. Rob Murray was first off the bus at Loch Droma where he headed up to Beinn Liath Mor Fannaich and then east along the ridge before…
Winter 2015-16 Indoor Climbing Sessions
The indoor climbing season is upon us. We will be dividing our attention between: Speyside Climbing Centre, Aberlour SpireRoxx, Elgin (Discount available for Club members) Gordonstoun School (Club members only) Inverness Leisure Centre There will be a rotation between venues, but the default is SpireRoxx on Wednesday evenings from about 6pm. The latest information is posted on the Club’s Facebook Page and further dates will be added here in due course. SpireRoxx and Inverness Leisure Centre are commercial venues and are therefore open to Club members and non-members alike. Gordonstoun School (and possibly Speyside High school, depending on arrangements) will be private bookings and will only open to Club members. The Club has a selection of harnesses, ropes and…
November 2015 Weekend Meet: Inchnadamph
Date: 7th/8th November 2015 Venue: Inchnadamph Lodge Location: Inchnadamph Lodge is located in the heart of Assynt – a spectacular parish of mountains, lochs & beaches. The hamlet of Inchnadamph is just 25 miles north of the fishing village of Ullapool, 12 miles east of Lochinver and at the head of Loch Assynt. Facilities: The Lodge is well equipped and offers a great range of facilities. The kitchen was refurbished in 2008 with new stainless steel work benches and sinks, new cookers and larger fridges. The dining room has seating for up to 45 guests, and new armchairs in the comfy lounge. There are two iMacs with full broadband internet access in the lounge. The…
October 2015 Bus Meet: Assynt
Sunday 18 October 2015 O.S.Map(s): 15 Est. time of arrival: 09.45 Time of departure: 17.00 Leave Elgin: 07.00 Assynt has an impressive array of outstanding mountains: Ben More Assynt, Conival, Canisp, Quinag, Cul Mor, Cul Beag, Breabag, Suilven, Stac Pollaidh ……. The rock in this area is predominantly gneiss, on top of which sandstone hills have weathered to create some of the weird and magnificent shapes typical of this region and on a clear day, this is an area where you like to linger as long as possible. In addition to the excellent hillwalking in this area, there is some good scrambling on Quinag (Sail Gharbh, East Buttress – Grade 3), Conival…
September 2015 Bus Meet Report: Kintail
The last meet to this venue was on a glorious day in June 2014, when there were 23 people on the bus. This time there were also 23 people on the bus, but amazingly only myself and Graeme M were on both trips? Kintail offers many possibilities with its big ridges and variety of hills, and for many, is the finest hill walking area in the Western Highlands. The weather was also very good despite forecasts of rain sweeping across the area in early afternoon, and only the late, late party returning from the South Cluanie Ridge had a welcome (?) rain shower to cool them down on the long…
October 2015 Weekend Meet: Inverardran Cottage, Crianlarich
Inverardran Cottage, Crianlarich Date: 3rd/4th October 2015 Venue: Inverardran Cottage, Crianlarich Location: Inverardran Cottage is the whitewashed building situated at the east end of Crianlarich, next to the Ben More restaurant. (OS sheet 50, Grid Ref 392250) on the North side of the A85. The cottage has its own extensive parking area behind the building. Facilities: The Cottage can accommodate 18 people in two dormitories (10 & 8). There are separate male and female toilets, both with a shower. There is also a small drying facility for wet gear. Over the past three years, the cottage has been extensively upgraded to make it perhaps the best-appointed mountaineering club hut in Scotland. WiFi Internet…
September 2015 Weekend Meet Report: Skye, Glen Brittle
The weekend weather forecast showed a large area of high pressure centred over the north Atlantic, but unfortunately Skye was on its eastern edge and would be subject to low cloud, mist and drizzle. Clag definitely makes for “sub-optimal” conditions for scrambling about on the finest range of hills in Scotland…the legendary Black Cuillin. However, if you waited for a perfect forecast, you would never go to Skye. As if by magic, Saturday dawned bright and sunny. Last night’s drinking debris was cleared away, breakfast was dispensed and gear was sorted. Then the glens resounded to the stomp of MMC boots heading for the hills. Ray H, Karen F and Malcolm…
September 2015 Bus Meet: Kintail
Sunday, 20 Sep 2015 O.S.Map(s): 33 Est. time of arrival: 09.30 Time of departure: 17.30 Leave Elgin: 07.00 Some of the finest hillwalking in Scotland can be found in the Kintail area, with the South Cluanie Ridge and the Five Sisters offering spectacular traverses. These can be as long and hard as you like, as there are several opportunities for early escapes if time is running short. Alternatively, you may want to try the impressive Forcan Ridge with its excellent scramble leading up to the Saddle. Staying on the bus to Morvich will allow you the choice of A’Ghlas-bheinn and Beinn Fhada or a low level walk to the Falls of Glomach, one…
August 2015 Weekend Meet Report: Kinlochewe
A disappointing turnout for the first night of the meet. Car problems, illness, lost wallets and other commitments meant that only four people managed to arrive on the Friday night. However plans were hatched and the weekend saw a variety of activities fit for recording in the ‘book of climbs’. On a bright a breezy morning Captain Brookes set off with Cabin Boy Bob M and First Mate Fiona C to cruise the bountiful waters of Loch Gairloch( an Geàrr Loch) . This translates as ‘the short loch’ and a quick look at the charts show that at around 6 miles (9.7 km) long by 1.5 miles (2.4 km) wide it certainly is.…
August 2015 Bus Meet Report: Glen Feshie to Linn of Dee
Surprise, surprise, we managed to run a bus meet after a gap of 4 months back to the distant memory of the Fannaichs in April! A late surge of bookings enabled this unique traverse to go ahead and, according to Bob Macdonald, a traverse that had never been done before by the Club. It was a slightly chilly, overcast day as the 24 debussed, with a little bit of trepidation, at the car park at Auchlean. At least no one had to carry a heavy bottle of sun cream! First away was new member Karen Frake, who elected to run most of the 28kms and arrived back at the Linn…