For the third time in as many years the Moray Mountaineering Club had an excellent Springtime weekend at Loch Ossian Youth Hostel.  Some arrived early, the earliest being Alan who arrived at Tulloch Station on Thursday, climbed Cnap Cruinn and raved about how good the cooked breakfast was at Tulloch bunkhouse after a night’s stay.  He was joined by Babs, Gus and Brent on the Friday for the early train into Corrour and coffee and breakfast rolls at the Station House Restaurant.  Definitely a pattern emerging here!  Alan cycled to Loch Treig, climbed Creag Ghuanach in the rain, but thankfully below the cloud.  He couldn’t manage his next objective for…

Drummond, Ella, Cate Bulmer, David Treagus, Adrian Marsay, Evelyne, Alistair Jeffs, Andy Lawson, Jan Nowell, Dave Maclean, Robert Ross, Heavy, Heavy’s Plus One, Alan Duncan, Fiona Duncan, Jake Lee, Malcolm Campbell. Most of the above arrived at the Great Glen Hostel, Laggan, in the month of February for more MMC frolics in the hills. A new venue, which had its plus and minus points, gave us a fine base. This area is too easily ignored as folk head off like a flock of turtles to the obvious delights of Lochaber and beyond and even though the forecast was poor there was much scope for shenanigans. Unfortunately, the scribblings within The…

At the ‘Bad Step’ en-route to Coruisk Date: 28th April – 1st May 2013 (3 nights) Venue: The Coruisk Memorial Hut, Skye Location: The Coruisk Memorial Hut is situated on the Island of Skye at the head of Loch Scavaig, close to where the River Scavaig flows the few hundred metres from Loch Coruisk to the Sea. It is about 100m from a landing stage in Loch na Cuilce (off Loch Scavaig) (OS Sheet 32, Grid Ref: NG 487197). Access: Boat from Elgol – a 30-minute sea crossing. There are now two operators but please check their website: Bella Jane Boat Trips or Misty Isle Boat Trips. Walking from the road at…

There was a last minute rush for places on this meet. This resulted in the reserve list members having a weekend in the very modestly priced luxury of a chalet while the rest of us made do with the slightly unusual bunkhouse and a few hardy OATs [Old Age Travellers. Not so old these days in some cases, but they still clutter the place up, keep us awake all evening and then retreat for a tranquil night’s sleep elsewhere. Memo to self – find a friendly parking warden to issue a few tickets next time.] cluttered up the recycling centre with an assortment of camper vans. Friday was a near perfect…

Date: 31st March/1st April 2017 Venue: Loch Ossian Youth Hostel Location: Loch Ossian Youth Hostel is a small eco youth hostel situated on the banks of Loch Ossian. Getting here: Loch Ossian Youth Hostel is only accessible by rail, bike, or foot. You cannot drive here.  You can park up at either Tullich station (to the North) or Rannoch station (to the South) to catch a train to Corrour  station (the West Highlands Glasgow to Fort William line). Loch Ossian Youth Hostel is an approximately 20 minute walk from Corrour station along a well-made track. Facilities: Fully-equipped self-catering kitchen but no fridge. Perishables can be kept cool in the north facing washrooms or in the loch! Drying is…

Sat 4th – Sun 5th March 2017 O.S.Map(s): 43 Accommodation: Braemar Lodge Bunkhouse Cost: TBC Facilities: Fully equipped kitchen. Linen and towels provided. The hotel is situated on your right as you travel south along the A93 (the road to Glenshee). There are lots of Munros in the area, snowsports at Glenshee (if you can find snow this year) and good climbing on Lochnagar. Email Simon Jacyna to book a place.

Venue: Great Glen Hostel, Laggan (Between Fort Augustus and Spean Bridge) When: Nights of Friday 3 Feb 2017 and Saturday 4 February Cost: To be confirmed Grid Reference: NN 293 971 Contact Simon Jacyna to book your place.

Fiona Duncan, Ella Grant, Drummond Beattie, Ray Harron, Evelyn Droege Heavy Whalley, Bob MacDonald, Brian Jones, Fiona Cuninghame, Joe Glennie, Sheila Patel, Adrian Marsay, Carol Jack, Cate Bulmer, Brad Doswell, Bea Chater, Ben Watson, Al Dennis, Miriam Duncan, Jake Lee The above revellers and miscreants travelled to the Blackwater Outdoor Centre for the annual and wonderfully conceived Hogmanay meet. I only half apologise if any names have been left out, as folk don’t write in the Book of Climbs and some of this happened last year for goodness sake! For such a great gathering there is also scant record of what went on, and this befuddled author is the very…

December’s weekend meet was to a new venue for the club.  The Alex MacIntyre Memorial Hut between Ballachulish and Onich is very well situated for the hills, with some of this country’s finest close by, in all directions.  Some arrived early, others after dark when the hut, though right beside the road, can be difficult to locate, and one adventurer arrived properly late.  Jane showed devotion to the club by coming on the meet despite working a full day on Friday and Monday in Ireland.  She raced to the evening Belfast to Cairnryan ferry after work on Friday and made it to the hut just before 2am.  Thankfully a couple…

Once again this proved to be the most popular meet of the year [so far] with 28 members and guests heading north for a weekend of hills and hilarity. Once again Dave Treagus and Alistair Jeffs got off to an early start and climbed An Faochagach on their way up on Friday. They got wet from the rain, river crossings and long grass and put a tick in their books. Saturday dawned with the weather somewhat better than forecast and groups headed off in all directions. Greig, Ben, Brad, Al Dennis and Jenny Smith went bouldering at Reiff in the rain and wind and ‘established’ a new problem. Setting the…