This winter we have seen some highs and lows. High winds, low clouds; high teas, low level walks; high spirits (some over 60% abv), low expectations. Now it is March, the birds are tweeting, the spring bulbs are flowering and the the earth is slowly wakening up and some of us wonder what has become of the winter when there has been so little snow low down but so much high up that it has been difficult to get out, what with immensely deep snow drifts, dangerous avalanche conditions and hurricane force winds. One might even be forgiven for wondering what the second “M” in MMC stands for when the…
April 2014 Bus Meet Report – Assynt
Natacha, Tansy, Chris and David enjoyed a superb day out on Conival and Ben More Assynt. Dry and sunny weather allowed for a pleasant walk along the river Traligill which was followed by a decidedly sweaty climb to the bealach. From there, they followed the rocky ridge to the summit of Conival where they had a quick snack before making their way to Ben More Assynt. A soaring eagle was spotted; they enjoyed uninterrupted views to Ben Loyal, the Beinn Dearg group, Assynt hills, Fannichs… We arrived back to Inchnadamph with over an half an hour to spare and finished our sandwiches by the river Traligill, while being serenaded with…
Share the pleasure of Scotland’s finest hills
If you have spotted the above article in today’s Active Outdoors supplement of the Northern Scot, Inverness Courier, Ross-shire Journal, Northern Times, John O’Groat Journal or Strathspey & Badenoch Herald and are interested in joining our Club, you can find more information here. For all enquiries about becoming a member please contact Malcolm Campbell at mcampbell078@hotmail.com
J Alister Sword Photo Competition 2014: Winning Photos
A fine selection of member’s photographs were displayed at the Moray Mountaineering Club AGM. Thanks to all members who submitted photographs to the competition. The following two photographs were declared the winners. Click on the photographs to see larger versions Category: ScottishBeinn Talaidh, Mull Photographer: John Henderson Category: Non-Scottish Himalaya Photographer: Dan Moysey Runners up were: Trotternish, Skye Photographer: Kat Mitchell View from Stok Kangri, Ladakh Photographer: Andy Lawson
March 2014 Bus Meet Report: Spittal of Glenshee
After picking up members (and guests) in Elgin and Forres we deviated from our normal pick-up route, via Nairn and Inverness, to instead pick up members in Grantown on Spey and Tomintoul. As well as being very scenic, the drive over the Lecht road and along the road from Corgarff to Crathie was ‘interesting’ in a large bus, especially the crossing of the bridge at Gairnshiel. On reaching Deeside we continued on to Braemar where we dropped off George before continuing onto the Glenshee Ski Centre. To quote Heavy, “with really bright sunshine and lots of the snow gone, the moors and Cairngorms in the distance looked magic. We were…
April 2014 Bus Meet: Assynt
Sunday 20th April 2014 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),…
May 2014 Weekend Meet: Isle of Rum
Traversing Trallaval Date: 3rd, 4th and 5th May 2014 (3 night stay) Venue: Kinloch Castle Hostel, Isle of Rum Location: Kinloch, Isle of Rum Facilities: Kinloch Hostel provides purpose built accommodation adjacent to Kinloch Castle. Each dorm room comfortably sleeps 4 people (2 single beds and one bunk in each) and we can accommodate up to 32 people in total. All bedding provided, 2 well-equipped self catering kitchen/diners, lounge, free wifi, plenty of hot showers (bring your own towels), central heating, laundry (£2.50) and drying room (free) available in the Castle Courtyard. Sorry – no pets (except registered assistance dogs). Your luggage can be collected from the Pier (look out for the…
Activity First Aid Course for MMC Members (SCQF Level 5 Award)
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE COURSE HAS BEEN CANCELLED.
MMC Book of Songs (Second Edition)
The Moray Mountaineering Club has a fantastic archive going all the way back to the inaugural meeting of the Club on 15 November 1931. This archive just got better with the return of the missing Book of Climbs (Volume 2), some more glass lantern slides and other quirky bits and pieces. One of the gems we’ve just rediscovered is the Club’s Song Book, full of such classics as “Rantin’ Bog”, “The Darkies’ Sunday School” and “Lay of the Mountain Rescue”. Interestingly, the song book is the Second Edition. Has anyone got a copy of the first? Click here for a copy of the Club’s Song Book. (The Song Book may take several minutes to download)
Brown Muir Wind Farm Consultation
In 2012, Vento Ludens submitted an application to the Scottish Ministers for a 19 turbine wind farm at Brown Muir in Moray. Following feedback received from the community and other stakeholders the application was withdrawn. Following a review of feedback received, Vento Ludens has developed a new proposal for a 12 turbine wind farm at Brown Muir. If you would like to speak to the developer with regard to this new proposal, the Public Exhibition details can be found below: • Wednesday, 12/03/14, 2 – 7pm, Lhanbryde Community Centre, Lhanbryde • Thursday, 13/03/14, 12 – 5:30pm, New Elgin & Ashgrove Public Hall, Elgin • Friday, 14/03/14, 2 – 7pm, Fogwatt…