16 December 2007 We couldn’t have hoped for better conditions for the Christmas meet, which were in stark contrast to the poor weather we’d encountered for most of 2007. The sky was blue and cloudless, the air dry and crisp and the views over the Cairngorms unending. Thirty-nine club members and guests jumped on the bus to complete the traverse from Glenmore to Nethybridge. They were joined later by another six members who made their way independently to the hotel. Some had a leisurely low level walk past An Lochan Uaine and enjoyed a pre-Christmas treat at Ryvoan Bothy. Others went over the ridge of Meall a’ Bhuachaille from Badaguish…

Drumochter – Sunday, 20 January 2008 O.S.Map(s): 35, 42 Bus Stop: Balsporran Est. time of arrival: 9.30am Time of departure: 17.00pm Leave Elgin: 7.00am Your chance to work off those extra pounds put on in the Festive Season and shake off that cabin fever. If we’re lucky we might even get a deep, crisp and even covering of snow. You know it makes sense! 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…

Glenmore – Nethybridge Traverse – Sunday, 16th December 2007 O.S.Map(s): 36 Bus Stop: Glenmore Lodge turnoff, continuing to Nethybridge Hotel Est. time of arrival: 9.15am Time of departure: 20.30pm from Nethybridge Leave Elgin: 7.00am The Christmas meet is usually a relaxed and, erm, liquid affair. The options are a relaxed low-level walk into Nethybridge, lingering at the Ryvoan bothy along the way; or, for those wanting to earn their turkey, the Corbett Meall a’ Bhuachaille is a possibility. Nethybridge Hotel, Sunday 16th December 2007, 5.00 pm Haggis with an oatmeal & whisky sauce Cairngorm broth Roast Grampian Turkey with all the trimmings Christmas Pudding Tea or coffee There will be…

Despite mediocre conditions, 33 dedicated members jumped on the bus, all ready to brave a mixed cocktail of snow, sleet, rain and strong winds. Graham Milton headed off for Beinn Enaiglair via Meall Doire Faid from the car park after Braemore. He met a geologist from Hellington on the ridge. After spending some time exchanging views on the rising of worn pebbles, Graham made his way back to the shelter at Braemore junction where he patiently waited for the bus. Flora Hunt and Malcolm and Lesley Leiper enjoyed a low level walk past Inchbae and Strathvaich Lodges. They found excellent shelters, comfortable hay bales and finished the day outside the…

21st October 2007 The October bus meet saw a favourable turnout of 26 people for what remains one of the club’s favourite venues. Kintail indeed offers many possibilities with its big ridges and variety of hills. Visibility was good all day and the dry weather conditions allowed all members and guests to achieve their goals without any problems or delays. Graham Milton and Flora Hunt went up corbett Beinn Loinne at the back of the Cluanie Inn. They had a nice and easy start without rain, however the path further up became steep and slippery. They did not meet anybody else throughout the day. Graeme Bartlett walked the impressive ridge…

Fannaichs – Sunday, 18 November 2007 O.S.Map(s): 19, 20 Bus Stop: Loch a’Bhraoin road end (Grid Ref. 163761) Est. time of arrival: 9.30am Time of departure: 17.30pm Leave Elgin: 7.00am The November Bus Meet takes us to the mountains of the popular Fannaichs area which have a splendid wilderness quality to them although close to the Garve/Ullapool road. The numerous options allow shorther 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…

Kintail – Sunday, 21 October O.S.Map(s): 33, 34 Est. time of arrival: 9.45am (Morvich) Time of departure: 17.30pm Leave Elgin: 7.00am 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…

The weather forecast was bad and it was correct. All 19 attending members had to brave the most inclement conditions most of the day. From a meteorological point of view, our Glenfinnan meets remain consistently disappointing. In addition to atrocious weather, the bus broke down and bags got misplaced. Glenfinnan is unquestionably, a stunning area. Could it also be the jinx venue of the club?

Sunday, 19th August 2007 Torridon was the venue of our August bus meet and attracted no less than 34 members and guests. All were rewarded with superb weather conditions and excellent views of the area.

Unfortunately, the Glen Affric Bus Meet had to be cancelled due to particularly low numbers.