4-5 October 2008 The Lazy Crofter Bunkhouse at Durness played host to seven MMC members for the October weekend meet. The hostel’s excellent facilities where fully utilised when that night the rain arrived out of the north and increased to a torrential downpour lasting until Saturday lunchtime. This allowed a late morning start and a leisurely breakfast as we all stared out the window, watching the bad weather while Joe sat writing poetry on the settee. Paul Chappell and Jo Cross where the first to break. As the rain eased, they set off to explore Smoo cave with its fascinating internal waterfall. Although the rain came to an abrupt halt…

Sat 4th – Sun 5th October 2008 O.S.Map(s): 9/10 Accommodation: The Lazy Crofter Bunkhouse, Durness Cost: £14.00 pppn Facilities: Bed linen, fully equipped kitchen, showers etc. October’s meet takes us to the far northwest, a land of mountains and sea, cliffs and waterfalls, beaches and rainbows. The main hills in the area are Foinaven, with its 5 tops, and Arkle. If a Munro is a must, Ben Hope is not that far. In bad weather, Sango beach and Smoo Cave are spectacular alternatives to the hills. Book now with Dave Galloway by email. For more information about the Lazy Crofter bunkhouse, visit their website here.

30-31 August, 1 September 2008 Friday the 29th saw twelve club members assemble at the Skyewalker Hostel at Portnalong on the Isle of Skye. Our hosts Brian and Lisa Hill made us feel very welcome, which explains why their 40 bed establishment was full. Geordie was the dominating accent that Friday night. Saturday morning didn’t produce the  forecasted weather, with rain showers and the cloud base lower than predicted. Not to be put off, Colin Cowie set of for Sgurr a Bhadaidh and Sgurr a Ghreadaidh from the Glen Brittle Youth Hostel. On his way up to An Dorus he made the 550 meter mark before taking the advice of…

Sat 30th – Sun 31st August – Mon 1st Sept 2008 O.S.Map(s): 32 Accommodation: Croft Bunkhouse, Portnalong Cost: £12.50 pppn Facilities: Fully equipped kitchen, showers etc. Skye! Need we say more? The best meet of the year, for walkers and climbers alike. Book now with Dave Galloway by email. For more information about the bunkhouse, visit their website here.

9-10 August 2008 The last recorded Club visit to Jura was 2001 so it was probably about time for a return trip for this ‘overseas’ challenge.  There are various sea routes to Jura and the traditional route is usually Kennacraig (on the Kintyre peninsula) to Port Askaig on Islay and then the small Ferry to Feolin on Jura.  On this occasion many people chose the new small boat (12 seater) service from the picturesque harbour at Tayvallich, to Craighouse on Jura.  This removes the need to take a car, as the campsite, Hotel, shop and Distillery are all within 100m of the pier.  What more do you need? John and…

5-6 July 2008 Arriving at the Forestry car park at 8pm, Dave MacLean provided a shuttle service to carry everyone’s luggage.  Graeme G, Margaret Paterson, Jake & Janice, Alan Duncan and Bob MacDonald cycled the 5 miles to Strawberry Cottage, while Dan Moysey, Sarah & Chrissy walked or ran, as did the dogs Ruby & Jess. Evelyne & Fiona won places in the Land Rover, along with what looked like an ironing board (a fold-up barbecue). Saturday Dan & Evelyne set off early, found a toothbrush and water bottle on the way, and climbed Mullach na Dheiragain and Sgurr nan Ceathreamhnan, where they met the “wobblers” group.  Dan went on…

Sat 5th – Sun 6th July 2008 O.S.Map(s): 25 Accommodation: Strawberry Cottage (GR 132207) Cost: £4 pppn Facilities: Sleeps 12, kitchen, WC Glen Affric is always one of the more popular destinations for the Club’s weekend meets, enhanced by the charm of Strawberry Cottage in its remote and breathtaking setting. Please note that the number of vehicles that are allowed down the track to the cottage is restricted, so it will be necessary to ferry gear down with one (preferably 4×4) car. Strawberry Cottage sleeps 12, so get you booking in early to Dave Galloway by email. For information about the Glen Affric Munros click here

7-8 June 2008 The village hall in the idyllic setting of Cairndow on the shore of Loch Fyne hosted fourteen members for the June weekend meet. A few of the party took opportunity of the fine forecast for some hill action on the Friday: Andy Williams and Dave Galloway used the visitor centre at Inveruglas on Lochlomond as the starting point for Ben Vorlich, disturbing millions of crane flies in the process. Graeme Morrison and John Henderson used it as their liaison point before proceeding to Beinn Bheula. They started on what they thought was the wrong path and adjusted their route up the boggy side of a river before…

3-5 May, 2008 May Bank Holiday weekends, by past experience, are a time when there is standing room only on Alasdair and a long queue for the In Pinn. Well! We beat the crowds, in fact we almost had the place to ourselves. Sixteen members and two guests turned up at the campsite by the Sligachan Hotel on the Isle of Skye. Jake Lee and Joe Glennie arrived on Friday afternoon to do the In Pinn. With an evening start, they where inspired by the sunset, which turned Harris a stunning shade of pink as the sun sank towards the Outer Hebrides and the horizon. The light created an Alpine…