Sunday, 19th April 2009 O.S.Map(s): 19/24/25 Est. time of arrival: 9.45 am Time of departure: 18.00 pm Leave Elgin: 7.00 am The bus will park for the day in the Alligin car park by Coire Mhic Nobuil and will depart at 6pm still allowing time for a quick pub stop. A perennial favourite and a popular venue for both walkers and climbers.  With a great range of magnificent hills the choice is endless. If we get a clear day, the views will be marvellous so don’t forget your camera! The bus should arrive at Kinlochewe by about 9.30am giving time to climb Slioch, a “real fortress of a mountain”, a…

Sunday, 15 March 2009 O.S.Map(s): 33 Est. time of arrival: 9.45 am Time of departure: 17.30 pm Leave Elgin: 7.00 am Some of the finest hill walking 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 might 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…

Sunday, 15th February 2009 First off the bus, Rob Murray walked round Loch Fannich to the back of Fionn  Bheinn. The lack of snow made for a fairly easy ascent and Rob soon found himself enjoying the comforts of the Ledgowan Hotel where he met John Henderson, Tish Richford and Linda Smith (welcome back Linda!) who had been up the same hill that day. “Tough day out!” commented John Henderson, as he enjoyed a cup of tea and scone sitting in front of the lovely log fire. This was the reward that both parties could look forward to as they made their way up Fionn Bheinn. The descent was leisurely…

Sunday, 18th January 2009 Despite a horrendous forecast for gales and snow, 21 members and guests jumped on the bus and bravely headed for the Fannaichs. The first challenge of the day was to get there: The untreated road made for a difficult bus journey from Inverness to the final drop off point at Loch a’Bhraoin. First off the bus, Graham Milton and Rob Murray headed for 787m high Corbett Beinn a’ Chaisteil.  They walked the long snowed-up track by the side of Loch Vaich. Considerable powder made for a demanding day, however there was no real wind problem despite the forecast. At the summit, they found the wind chill…

Sunday, 15 February 2009 O.S.Map(s): 24, 25 Est. time of arrival: 9.15 am Time of departure: 17.00 pm Leave Elgin: 7.00 am The majestic corries and peaks of Achnashellach never fail to impress. The usual starting point is from the layby on the A890 opposite the private road to Achnashellach train station, continuing on into Coire Lair. This gives access to Fuar Tholl (Corbett) and Sgorr Ruadh (Munro) to the left of the coire, and Beinn Liath Mhor (Munro) to the right. Another option is Maol Chean Dearg (Munro), starting from a point further west along the A890 at Coulags. Please remember that this could be an undertaking in full…

Sunday, 18th January 2009 O.S.Map(s): 19/20/21 Est. time of arrival: 9.30 am Time of departure: 16.30 pm Leave Elgin: 7.00 am The first Bus Meet of the New Year takes us to the popular Fannaichs area, which has a splendid wilderness quality to it despite the proximity to the Garve/Ullapool road. The numerous options allow shorter days searching out the Corbetts of Beinn a! Chaisteal, Beinn Laith Mhor a! Ghiubhais Li, Beinn Enaiglair and Creag Rainich, which can be reached from the Lochavroan Bothy. Then there are the Beinn Dearg group of Munros with Am Faochagach on the east side of Loch Glascarnoch and another group of 4 Munros on…

Sunday, 16 November 2008 This was a beautiful mild, clear day with snow on the tops of the hills and great views of the Mullardoch and Strathfarrar hills and beyond.  33 enthusiastic people (including an encouraging 8 guests), grasped the opportunity to experience the beauty of the Scottish hills in early winter. First off the bus (about 4kms from the Bus park), was a large group consisting of David Brown Douglas, Ali, Paul Geraghty, Ella, Drummond, Robert Reed, George Sim, Amanda, David Strathdee, Tish, Jim Hall, Paul Chappell, Jo Cross, Ray Harron, John, Peter Jones, Alastair Wren, Ros Wright, Corinne Ferguson, Moira Baptie, Dagmar Borrowman and Sandra Doull.  Giving an…

Sunday, 16th November 2008 O.S.Map(s): 25 Est. time of arrival: 9.30 am Time of departure: 17.00 pm Leave Elgin: 7.00 am Glen Affric is one of the finest glens in Scotland and has big remote hills on high winding ridges.  The first two Munros, Toll Creagach and Tom a’ Choinich are a good combination and offer superb views of Loch Mullardoch.  The next two Munros, Mam Sodhail also make a good pairing, but may just be out of reach, except for the very fleetest of foot, at this time of year.  The remote Beinn Fionnlaidh, way out on a sinuous limb, is best left for the long days of summer.…