Clashgour is a lovely wee hut. Now both “lovely” and “wee” are subjective terms and open to debate, although I would like to think that most people who spend time in Clashgour Hut do appreciate the character of the place, the compact, yet functional space, the history – over a hundred years old and formally a school, still retaining the school bell and the framed sketch on the wall of the “Horny Golloch” with attached poem that apparently dates back to Clashgour’s own school days. Its current incarnation as the hut of Glasgow University Mountaineering Club has been a long and vibrant one, where the fast turnaround of club membership has lead…

At the ‘Bad Step’ en-route to Coruisk Date: 3rd, 4th & 5th 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 new 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…

Fourteen members successfully completed the first challenge – finding the Inbhirfhaolain hut in the dark; not an easy task for first-timers. Saturday was dry with great views and lovely snow – a meteorological phenomenon not seen in Glen Etive since the days of General Wade. Folk headed off in all directions. Rachel Higgins and her two sherpas, Dave (two nights, one walk) Whitelock and Malcolm Campbell, packed their winter mountaineering kit (waders and a snorkel) and headed up Ben Starav. The day started with the traditional bog trot, but this soon gave way to snow. With ice axes at the ready they ascended the fantastic ridge that leads all the…

Inverardran Cottage, Crianlarich Date: 5th/6th April 2013 Venue: Inverardran Cottage, Crianlarich Location: Inverardran Cottage is the whitewashed building situated at the east end of Crianlarich, next to the Ben More restaurant. (OS sheet 50, Grid Ref 392250) on the North side of the A85. The cottage has its own extensive parking area behind the building. Facilities: The cottage is fully-equipped for self catering. All utensils, crockery and cutlery are provided. You may wish to bring additional tea towels. There are two fridges. Two cookers have four-burner gas hobs, double oven & grill, separate toaster and microwave ovens. Hot water is provided by a large under sink boiler which supplies the sink unit. Two dormitories sleep a…

Date: 2nd/3rd March 2012 Venue: Clashgour Hut, 1.5km from Victoria Bridge. Location: Clashgour is situated beneath Stob Ghabhar at the southern end of the Blackmount Estate at OS grid reference NN257425 (Landranger sheet 50, Glen Orchy). It is about 6km from Bridge of Orchy and 1.5km west of nearest Road at Victoria Bridge . From the A82 at Bridge of Orchy take the A8005 to Victoria Bridge. At the end of the road is a small car park where cars should be left. No vehicles are permitted to be taken to the hut, they must be parked at the designated car park a few hundred yards south of Victoria Bridge.…

The Moray Mountaineering Club returned to the Kintail Outdoor Centre at Morvich for the fifth Hogmanay meet of recent times. The roll-call of fourteen comprised Illona Morrice, Heavy Whalley, Katie Griffiths & Rachel Higgins (aka the Himalayan Chicks), Andy Brooks, Jim Bryce, Desmond Cormack, Simon Jacyna, Susan Jacyna, Ray Harron, Graeme Morrison, Shona Morrison, Andy Lawson and Daniel Moysey. The meet started with the traditional Hogmanay feast and a few drinks. Hogmanay feast (Photo by Andy Lawson) In a break from tradition, “A few drinks” was followed by making of packed lunches and retiring to bed long before the morning shipping forecast. Alarms went off at 7am on New Year’s…

Glen Etive from slopes of Beinn Trilleachan Date: 2nd/3rd February 2013 Venue: Grampian Club hut, Inbhirfhaolain, Glen Etive Location: The hut is situated 7 miles from junction of Glen Etive Road with Tyndrum/Glencoe Road (A82) and 5 miles from Loch Etive Pier. Facilities: A basic but comfortable climbing hut, sleeping 13. Double sleeping platform supplied with mattresses, but bring sleeping bags. Electric lighting, heating, cooking and refrigeration; utensils provided; multifuel stove; water from burn (100 yards); Clivus composting toilet. No shower. Cost: TBC Nearby Hills:  Munros: Buachaille Etive Mor, Buachaille Etive Beag, Creise, Meall a’Bhuiridh, Ben Starav, Beinn nan Aighenan, Glas Bheinn Mhor, Stob Coir an Albannaich, Meall nan Eun. Corbetts: Beinn a’Chrulaiste, Beinn Maol Chaluim, Beinn Mhic…

The usual writer is suffering from an attack of grumpiness brought on by suspicions of censorship and surveillance by some technologically superior power. Therefore, it falls to me to provide a factually accurate summary of the weekend meet to Torridon. I thought I would start with some statistics: 13 members, 1 hut, 2 days rain, 70mph wind, zero summits attained, some stars, 2 galaxies (Andromeda and Milky Way), 1 planet (Jupiter, complete with its moons) and several shooting stars. Sadly the superb astronomical observation conditions that greeted us upon arrival soon faded away (a pre-emptive sign foretelling the sad death of Sir Patrick?). The Ling Hut in Torridon might be…

Kintail Outdoor Centre Date: Monday 31st December 2012 to Thursday 3rd January 2013 (3 Nights) Venue: Kintail Outdoor Centre Location: Kintail Outdoor Centre is situated on the banks of the River Croe between the Fives Sisters Ridge and Ben Attow. (Grid ref: NG967211) Facilities: Kintail Outdoor Centre offers excellent bunkhouse accommodation. The centre comprises of two wings both sleeping ten people. Facilities include a fully equipped kitchen, common room/dining room, drying room and laundry facilities. Cost: £50 per person for three nights Places available: Less than a handful of places remaining Nearby Hills: (Munros) Beinn Fhada, A’Ghlas-bheinn, Sgurr nan Ceathramhnan, Sgurr Fhuaran, Sgurr na Carnach, Sgurr na Ciste Duibhe, The Saddle, Sgurr na Sgine, etc.…

Graeme Morrison Dave Whitelock Andy Lawson Dave Mclean Fiona Duncan Alan Duncan Susan Jacyna Simon Jacyna Dan Moysey Andy Brooks Kath Taylor Joe Glennie Graeme Henderson Fiona Cunninghame Illona Morrice Katie Griffiths Sheena Forsyth Jake Lee The clocks have just gone back – normally sane parents are sending their children out begging and Graeme Henderson is looking for the matches. It can only mean the by now traditional November trip to Inchnadamph. We have previously been blessed by fine weather on this particular weekend, and so it proved again, with two great days. Dave W, maintained his reputation as the foremost inspector of ablutions in the Highlands, with an evening…