Assynt, beginning of November? Barely recall it now, and if no-one else does, this fictitious rambling based on half remembered truths may just get away with it. Inchnadamph Lodge in November is a wonderful place, but hardly a secret amongst the Moray Mountaineers as 25 of the blighters descended mob-like to shatter the idyllic calm. With so many people out and about and your gentle author being so lazy, there can be little more illumination as to the deeds of that weekend than the production of the  barest list. However, Natacha, unlike most of us has taken the time and trouble to produce a splendid report and it is…

Our destination for New Year festivities will be the Station Bunkhouse in Plockton Accommodation is booked for 3 nights:  31st Dec, 1st and 2nd Jan Price: £45 per person for the 3 nights, payable in advance. The bunkhouse can accommodate up to 20 people – there may be a small refund if we fill it. A stay of only 2 nights may be possible, subject to availability of places. To book, please make a cheque payable to the Moray Mountaineering Club and contact Jake Lee.    

With Jake away at the Albanian ferret pickling championships we all feared that the weekend meet would deteriorate into unorganised chaos.  Fortunately, his ruthless organisation and forward planning prevailed and it was once again a success.  Well, apart from the weather – but then why else do we all spend so much money on waterproof clothing? Katie Griffiths, Karl Markham, Fiona Cunningham and Ash were first out of the door.  They headed for the “path” (which Ash considers to be “a mechanism or structure designed to easy/facilitate access and perambulation”) leading to the Munros An Caisteal and Beinn a Chroin.  Apparently the definition is somewhat at odds with the boggy mess…

Date: 8th & 9th October Location: Ochils Mountaineering Club Hut, Inverardarn Cottage, Crianlarich, FK20 8QS Directions: Inverardran Cottage is the whitewashed building situated at the east end of Crianlarich, next to the Ben More Restaurant. (O. S. sheet 50, Grid Ref 392250) on the north side of the A85. The cottage has its own extensive parking area behind the building. It is within easy walking distance of Crianlarich railway station. Website: http://www.ochils.com/content/view/6/25/ Cost: Up  to £15 pppn (price is dependent on numbers) What to bring: Sleeping bag and fire wood if possible! What to do: Several Munros and Corbetts can be reached by walking from the cottage: Cruach Ardrain, Ben More,…

‘Fumbling around in the mist’ Some years ago, and as a new member to the club, I recall, with no little horror, the sight of Martin Collins pole dancing in Skye. Surely such an aberration was a one-off. How could that ever happen again? It was therefore, with a sense of déjà vu, that Martin Collins gyrated with his pole on Friday night and marked, after the absence of a year or two, the MMC return to the Glen Brittle Hut. A poor forecast, that never materialised in all its fury, didn’t put off our brave band and Saturday saw the island covered with Moray mountaineers.  It was good to…

Date: 6/7th August Location: Elphin caving centre Directions: Head north 24km from Ullapool to Elphin.  Turn right up a track just past the phone box. Website: http://www.sat.dundee.ac.uk/~arb/gsg/ecc.html Cost:  £10 per person for the weekend What to do: This is a great location for so many adventures.  Sulivan and the Corbetts Cul Mor and Canisp are visible the front window.  For those interested in Munros, there is Conival and Ben More Assynt and, if you’ve got a bike, try the steep side of the fantastically remote Seana Bhraigh.  If the weather is not so good then there are a few caves around (bring a torch!).  There is also good climbing on the coast…

Venue:  Blackwater Outdoor Centre, Glen Shee Location:  A few kilometres north of the B950/A93 junction Cost: Up to £30 per person for the weekend. Facilities: Equipped kitchen, bedding provided.   What to do:  This is an ideal location for the Glen Shee ski “resort”, but unless there is an unseasonal snowfall, you might want to consider alternatives such as some of many munros in the area. NB: Jake is away climbing Corbetts in Boliva for the next few weeks so contact Daniel Moysey for next month’s weekend meet.  d.moysey@yahoo.co.uk

Eleven members joined the MMC party at the lovely bunkhouse at Strontian in Ardgour.  Well actually the partying was somewhat curtailed by the many adventures inspired by the good weather.  Allan Duncan, Jake oh-my-back (and knees) Lee and Fiona Duncan went up to Drum Tarsuinn via the lovely Resourie bothy.  John Henderson had a four day weekend crammed full of adventures to some less visited Grahams (err…that means a long walk-in through bog, heather, rocks…etc).  Graeme Morrison and Penny TWD joined him for Saturday’s outing.  Dan Moysey and Illona Morrice went up Garbh Bheinn via the excellent Pinnacle Ridge – this is the route for anyone fond of “exciting” scrambling. …

29th April – 2nd May 2011 Ella Grant and Drumond Beattie, being the hardy souls they are, went up the small hill behind Tarbert, Giolabhal Glas. Of course while all this fun was being had, some of us were witnessing constitutional history in the making, as our employers wouldn’t let us have the day off because two posh kids were getting wed. Saturday dawned as truly stunning as Friday had been and the MMC were over North Harris like a rash. Drummond, Ella, Ros, Corinne, and Val did the An Clisearn horseshoe and I think  Sheila, Imke, Graeme and Joe did the same thing the other way round, but they…

Sat 4/Sun 5 June 2011 *** NB: NOTE CHANGE OF VENUE! *** The June weekend meet will not now be to Coigach, as previously advertised, but to Strontian. Accomodation: Ariundle Bunkhouse, Strontian, Ardgour (Website) Attractions: lots of Corbetts, climbing (Garbh Bheinn, Ardnamuchan), Ardnamuchan Point lighthouse beaches…and much more. OS Maps: 40/41/47. We have booked accommodation for 12 people. Anyone wishing to book onto this meet should let Jake Lee know ASAP, as we will need to confirm with the bunkhouse that we have filled the spaces. Contact Jake Lee by email Cost £15 pppn