The delights of Durness are many and varied. Impressive sea cliffs rise from the waves while miles of sandy beaches stretch themselves out lazily for the warm turquoise colours of the shallow water to lap against them. Small rocky islands sit off the north coast, and further south many more islands dot the west coast, for this is of course where north meets west at the mighty Cape Wrath. Further inland lie some classic mountains and it is to these that we are drawn to, especially when the weather is fine and settled as the Saturday of the MMC meet was. Foinaven is a truly magnificent mountain. Almost as magnificent…

Applecross Inn  Date: 2nd/3rd August 2014 Venue: Applecross Campsite Location: Getting here Facilities: Cafe Bar, payphone, A.T.M, laundry and electric hook-up points. There are two newly fully functional, renovated shower blocks and a laundry room with coin operated washing machine and tumble drier. More info Cost: Camping – £9 per adult, per night. Dogs – £2 per dog, per night. Camping hut (wigwam) – £45 per night (for two persons). Dog – £2.50 per night. Nearby hills: Corbetts: Beinn Bhan, Sgurr a’Chaorachain; Graham: Beinn a’Chlachain; Sub2000ft Marilyns: An Staonach and Ben Shieldaig. Also, Classic rock climbing on the Cioch Nose. Booking:  At the Applecross campsite, you can camp or hire a wooden camping hut (wigwam). To book on…

Rum has to be one of the most special of the Scottish islands. The largest of the Small Isles, with plenty of space to roam and the most beautiful wild hills, but small enough so that one can see the ocean enveloping the island from its airy green summits. The summits of the steep and craggy hills are so unexpectedly green due to the presence of a quarter of the world’s population of Puffinus puffinus which, of course, is the… Manx Shearwater (strange people these biologists, maybe they were having a laugh with this particular naming convention). They spend their days at sea and return to their burrows at night…

Strawberry Cottage Date: 5th/6th July 2014 Venue: Strawberry Cottage, Glen Affric Location: At the Western end of Loch Affric, on the North-side opposite Athnamulloch. OS Map 25, Grid Ref: 132207. Glen Affric is a very special and beautiful place. A natural nature reserve and a site of special scientific interest. The glen has a real wilderness feel although, fences and buildings show that it has been inhabited for a long time. the hills will always be there, but Strawberry Cottage allows you to linger for a while and get the most out of your experience. Long days are the best, the hills deserve to be savoured and many of the…

April in Torridon, always a gamble. It could be full winter conditions on Liathach or shorts and T shirt rock climbing on Beinne Eighe. It might be hot and hazy, with a day wandering the hills interspersed with welcome dips in burns and lochans, or that wander may be more reminiscent of Scott’s last expedition. This weekend was not unusual. It was quite wet, but not a washout. There were views, but not many. And there was snow, but not much. The club stayed at the classic mountaineering hut, the Ling Hut. The hut was found easily by most, despite being shyly tucked away from the road on the far…

Date: 7th/8th June 2014 Venue: Sango Sands Campsite, Durness Location: click here for further detail Facilities: The campsite is open from April through to the end of October. There are fifty eight electric hook ups points, some hard standing and some on grass. For tents and those of you who don’t require electric hook up there is ample space, and you only need to book if you require electric hook up. Site facilities include toilet and shower blocks. There is also waste disposal, dishwashing and laundry facilities. For those in tents, a camper’s kitchen is available with free gas. Pets kept under control are welcome, and are free. There is also a restaurant and…

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…

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…

A winter traverse of An Teallach, scrambling over the pinnacles and enjoying the truly awesome views both near and far on a beautiful clear winters day must be one of the best mountaineering days out in Scotland. But of course the weather hasn’t been quite as benign this winter and this weekend was no exception. The club headed to Dundonnell and stayed at the Sail Mhor bunkhouse. On Saturday morning Alan, Andy, Dan, Jake and Jane decided to head up what is unquestionably the best mountain in the area, as described below by Dan. “Some time after the authorised departure time Jake, Jane and Alan were finally ready, bags packed……

Date: 5th/6th April 2014 Venue: Ling Hut, Torridon Location: The hut is situated on the south side of Glen Torridon at NG958562. (See map) Facilities: Ling is a traditional Highland house, with no upstairs living space. It has just been re-furbished. There is accommodation for 12 persons (Four places reserved for SMC members). Cooking, lighting and heating are by propane gas. Don’t forget your sleeping bag! Cost: £10 pppn Nearby Hills: (Munros) Beinn Eighe, Liathach, Beinn Alligin, Beinn Liath Mhor, Sgorr Ruadh, Maol Chean Dearg and Slioch. (Corbetts) Sgurr Dubh, Sgorr nan Lochan Uaine, Beinn Damh, Beinn Dearg, Meall a’Ghuibhais and Ruadh Stac Beag. (Grahams) Beinn na h-Eaglaise, An Ruadh-mheallan, Beinn a’Chearcaill. (Sub2000ft Marilyns) Seana Mheallan, Bidein Clann Raonaild.…