The weather, summer holidays and some bloke suffering from motion sickness took its toll on the turnout, but nonetheless five “mountaineers” pitched camp at Applecross. Being leaderless, and not knowing who else was supposed to be around, we staked out all corners of the campsite. Saturday dawned wet and windy. Jim found somewhere out of the rain and finished his newspapers. Mark walked to Toscaig to go fishing. In keeping with the great fishing tradition of the Moray Mountaineering Club, Mark returned full of stories (like the otter that got away), but otherwise empty handed – if only you could live on stories. AndyB, Illona and Dan delayed setting off for…

Date: 5th/6th October 2013 Venue: Kinloch Rannoch Outdoor Centre The centre was built circa 1870 and was the village schoolhouse up until 1968. Set in a tranquil location in the outskirts of the village with Schiehallion and Loch Rannoch just a stones throw away, the centre offers an ideal base for groups wanting to use the spectacular local landscapes for recreational or sporting activities. Location: The centre is situated alongside the B846 (OS Grid Ref. 664589). It is the first building on the right hand side of the road approaching Kinloch Rannoch from the East. Facilities: Sleeping capacity  24 • 3 dormitories (sleeps 6 each), 1 room (sleeps 4), 1 room (sleeps 2) • 5 showers and 7 toilets (showers…

Date: 31st August/1st September 2013 Venue: Glenbrittle Hut, Glenbrittle, Skye The Glenbrittle hut is ideally situated for access to the Cuillin Ridge. Literally walk out the door for access to the hills from Sgurr na Banachdich to Sgurr nan Eag. Location: On road approaching from Carbost, about 300 yards short of Glenbrittle House, Glenbrittle (Grid ref: NG412216) Facilities: 18 bunks (sleeping bags required), All electric; all utensils; large drying room; showers; WCs Cost: £7.00 per person per night Nearby Hills: Sgurr nan Gillean, Am Bastier, Bruach na Frithe, Sgurr Mhadaidh, Sgurr Ghreadaidh, Sgurr na Banachdich, Sgurr Dearg (& In Pinn), Sgurr Mhic Choinnich, Sgurr Alasdair, Sgurr Dubh Mor and Sgurr nan Eag or all of…

Glenshee is a wonderful location with a multitude of options in the surrounding hills so it was surprising that only five members attended. Andy, Ella, Evelyne, Drummond and Dan selected their own rooms in the spacious and well-equipped Blackwater Bunkhouse, cracked open a bottle and discussed plans. Saturday was hot and sunny. Ella and Drummond went up Ben Tirran via a new bulldozed track and then continued around the head of Lochs Wharral and Brandy over various high points. Drummond hoped that some of these would be Marilyns, Grahams, Humps…, etc. but Oracle Andy confirmed that they were “merely” Corbett tops. I’m not sure which “high points” Drummond had in…

The weather gods decided we had suffered enough at Coruisk and so blessed the Moray Mountaineering Club with truly stunning weather for our trip to Strontian. An assorted bunch of club members, guests / prospective members, hill walkers, Corbett baggers, Champagne drinkers and wee plastic boat paddlers assembled at the bunkhouse at Ariundle on Friday night to discuss plans for the coming weekend. Alan was ready and primed with gallons of Champagne, a bottle of 21 year old Glengoyne and a route in mind – Streap, his final Corbett. Ben Resipol was an obvious target for a day out and a paddle around the notorious Ardnamurchan Point was discussed in…

Applecross Inn Date: 3rd/4th August 2013 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) – £48 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…

Blackwater Outdoor Centre Date: 6th/7th July 2013 Venue: Blackwater Outdoor Centre Location: Just over 1km North of the A93/B950 junction. Facilities: Three rooms (sleep 4 each), one room (Sleeps 3) with en suite disabled toilet & shower, one room (sleeps 2). Two large shower and toilet rooms (male and female) are located on the ground floor. The Kitchen is equipped with electric cookers, refrigerator/freezer, washing machine, cooking utensils and kitchen accessories. Crockery, cutlery, bed linen (duvets, sheets and pillowcases) are provided but groups must supply their own food, washing up liquid and tea towels. A dining room next the kitchen seats 20. The centre has a large comfortably furnished living room.…

A collection of hardy weekenders boarded the Bella-Jane in Elgol bound for Coruisk. Coruisk, or Coir-uisg, is Gaelic for Corrie of the Water. Quite appropriate really as water was to become a major theme of the weekend. Anyway, back to Friday night, a boat trip to Coruisk, something that tourists have been doing for about 200 years ever since the days of Walter Scott, Wiliam Turner, John MacCulloch and the like when steamers set off from Glasgow to carry tourists to Skye. But these days we have tarmac, the internal combustion engine and the Skye Bridge so boats are generally not required for trips to Skye unless you’re going somewhere…

After sampling the delights of the South-West (no, not Cornwall, Pembroke or even Galloway, but the Rough Bounds of Argyll) the Moray Mountaineering Club surged ever southwards in its pursuit of those components of a grand weekend which we all crave. And so folk gradually arrived at the Ochils Mountaineering Club’s cottage by Crianlarich. Some chose to visit the bar at the Ben More Hotel, while others decided to sample the various ales, gins, wines, ciders or whatever other drink of choice had been brought with them… cup of tea anyone…? The last of the stragglers arrived and the pub-bound people returned and a good traditional sociable club evening was…

***** STRONTIAN MEET NOW CHANGED FROM JULY TO JUNE ***** Date: 8th/9th June 2013 Venue: Ariundle Bunkhouse Location: Facilities: There are two bunk bed rooms upstairs each with their own private facilities. Linen is supplied with the exception of towels. Breakfast can be provided in the tea room or kitchen facilities are available in the Bunkhouse. The bar in the restaurant is always available for accommodation users regardless of table bookings. Cost: TBC Nearby hills: No Munros but plenty of quality Corbetts, Grahams and Marilyns in Ardgour, Sunart, Moidart, Morvern and Ardnamuchan. If you are desperate for a Munro tick, you could drive the short distance to Lochaline and take the ferry…