Sunday, 21 November 2010 What a good attendance this month for our mammoth trip to Drumochter. Thirty -seven stout mountaineers made the effort and were rewarded with… well, let’s find out! Brian Frazer and Bob Weeks (The ‘Hare’ee Trekkers) teamed up to tackle Meall na Leitreach and the Sow of Atholl. “We spotted seven hares in their winter coats,” Bob exclaimed!!!  As expected the weather was clear to the south of the pass, although there was some low cloud on Meall na Leitreach, but they managed to find a sunny spot for lunch.  They then went on to attempt the traverse of the Sow of Atholl (Meall an Dobharchain), via…

Drumochter – Sunday, 21 November 2010 O.S.Map(s): 35, 42 Bus Stop: Balsporran Est. time of arrival: 9.30am Time of departure: 17.30pm Leave Elgin: 7.00am As in previous years the bus will divert off the A9 through Kingussie and Newtonmore to Dalnaspidel, allowing access to hills as far south as Beinn Udlamain and Sgairneach Mhor, before rejoining the A9 again and parking up at Balsporran for the day. To the east are Carn na Caim, A’Bhuidheanach Bheag and Meall Chuaich. The Fara, a Corbett on the north side of Loch Ericht could also be worth a thought. Contact Dave Whitelock by email by the evening of Thursday, 18th November at the…

Sunday, 17th October 2010 26 folk got on the bus in spite of a dire weather forecast, which unfortunately was correct. Plans were laid, and the mood was defiant. Kathy, Natasha Lilly, Kath Taylor, George Sim and Illona opted for the easy option of following the path from Albeithe over the bealach to Glenhiel where the bus was to be waiting at the Forcan ridge car park. They lost George, then lost the path, but luckily made it over the bealach anyhow.  Here they were overtaken by Graeme Bartlett, who had walked over Kinlochhourn and taken the path to Glenshiel from there. George did turn up at the bus! A…

Sunday, 17th October 2010 O.S.Map(s): 33 Est. time of arrival: 9.15 am Time of departure: 18.00 pm Leave Elgin: 7.00 am     A good meet for Munro-baggers, with loads of options, all involving the ascent of Munros. Alternatively, there are also a number of low-level options, making for an easier day. The most obvious hills are Gleouraich, Spidean Mialach and Sgurr a Mhaoraich to the north of Loch Quoich.  The former two form a fine ridge with a short and easy approach, easily climbed by a stalker’s path some 4km west of the dam. There is also a stalkers path leading from Alltbeithe up the north west ridge of…

Sunday, 19th September 2010 Despite the fact that several MMC members were celebrating Fiona Duncan’s last Munro (Schiehallion) over the same weekend, 22 members commendably attended this Bus Meet and enjoyed the mountain views of this inspiring and remote northern terrain. The star of the day from the point of view of the Bus Meets Organiser was undoubtedly the bus driver.  He made such excellent progress to and from this distant location, that the traditional toilet stops were completely missed!  Fortunately there was a toilet on board, which provided a challenge for those with weaker bladders. Guests included Alice Roberts and Jan Paprocki, who trekked up Conival in misty weather…

Sunday, 19th September 2010 O.S.Map(s): 15 Est. time of arrival: 9.45 am Time of departure: 17.30 pm Leave Elgin: 7.00 am Assynt has an impressive array of outstanding mountains: Ben More Assynt, Conival, Canisp, Quinag, Breabag – names to conjure with. 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…

1949 in fact! If anyone recognises any of the unidentified faces, please email us!

Sunday, 22 August 2010 One dark winter’s night, a fire fighter called Arthur climbed onto a roof armed with a hose reel, his mission to put out a chimney fire. His colleagues had sheeted up the hearths down below. The officer shouted up the chimney, “When you’re ready Arthur!” With that, he squeezed the trigger. Nothing seemed to happen, until the family next door came running out, covered in soot. The fireman became known as “Wrong Pot Wally”. This stuck with him for the rest of his career. Well!!! “Wrong Hill Wally Whitelock” ended up on the wrong mountain, Squrr Ruhda and Fuar Tholl, instead of Beinn Liath Mhor.  I…

Sunday, 22 August 2010 O.S.Map(s): 24/25 Est. time of arrival: 9.30 am Time of departure: 6.30 pm Leave Elgin: 7.00am This is a classic traverse, arguably one of the most spectacular anywhere in the Highlands. It was last undertaken by the Club in April 2008 in the opposite direction. There are a number of alternatives: One starts at the layby just north of the Ling Hut on the A896 main Torridon road, carries on into Coire Grannda and over the bealach into Coire Lair. From here, there is the choice of following the Sgorr Fuadh and Fuar Tholl ridge, or the Beinn Liath Mhor ridge, ending at the layby opposite…

**** NB: This meet has been cancelled. See you in August! **** Sunday, 18 July 2010 O.S.Map(s): 41 Est. time of arrival: 9.30 am Time of departure: flexible Leave Elgin: 7.00am NB: A change of venue for this meet, which was supposed to have been Beinn na Lap. Unfortunately, the train from Tulloch to Corrour no longer runs early enough on Sundays to make this viable, so the venue has been changed to the Grey Corries. The Grey Corries boast 2 good Corbetts and 4 Munros, so take your pick!  The access point/car parking area for the Grey Corries is at GR 256788 (OS 41), Lairig Leacach.  Take the public…