Date: Nights of 3 and 4th November 2017 Cost: Ask Simon Location: Acheninver Bunkhouse, Achiltibuie (Google Maps), Grid Ref NC 0422 0570 Facilities: Refer to the Bunkhouse website Our next weekend is to the Acheninver bunkhouse in Achilitibuie for our now nearly legendary Hallowe’en meet, featuring hillwalking, possibly caving or kayaking and very definitely fancy dress. Our traditional venue at Inchnadamph is closed for renovation this year so we are going to this slightly more bijou bunkhouse near the beach. The hostel is at the foot of Ben More Coigach and handy for many of the other Assynt Hills and the coast. Surprisingly there are still a few places left so book…

The weather forecast for the weekend was not looking good, however, that didn’t deter our members from getting out and about on Skye. An early start by Heavy, leaving home at 4:30, meant that he met up with Andy at 8:00 at Glen Brittle. Friday looked like being the best of the weather – so they headed up Sgurr na Bannachdich. However, even with the early start the rain came down by the time they reached the summit and that meant no views. However, there were a few photo opportunities on the approach to the summit. Another Friday walker was Evelyne. Having driven up on the Thursday evening, Evelyne set…

A small group of ten eventually assembled at the cosy and characterful Smiddy on Friday evening though several had already spent a day on the hills, enjoying the somewhat unusual ‘heavy persistent sunshine’. The Smiddy… full of character(s) [Faye, Simon and Ray] Evelyn enjoyed a low level walk along the Gruinard river watching the fishermen and fisherwomen trying their luck with the elusive salmon and the native woodlands. Adrian had spent the day on Slioch while, Robert Ross had flown up from London on Thursday and spent the day, I think, on Beinn Dearg. On Saturday An Teallach by various routes was the unanimous choice. Jan and Dan drove down…

Date: Nights of Fri 6 and Sat 7 September 2017 Venue: Glenbrittle Memorial Hut, Glenbrittle, Skye Location: Glenbrittle, Skye.  Grid ref: NG412216, Google StreetView Facilities: The hut has recently been refurbished for its 50th anniversary. 18 bunks (sleeping bags required), All electric; all utensils; large drying room; showers; WCs Cost: £10.00 per person per night (usual £5 pppn camper’s charge applies) Things to do: 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. Nearby Hills: Sgurr nan Gillean, Am Bastier, Bruach na Frithe, Sgurr Mhadaidh, Sgurr Ghreadaidh, Sgurr na…

When: Nights of Fri 1 and Sat 2 September 2017 Where: The Smiddy, Dundonnell, OS Grid Ref NH 095 877 Cost: £8.00/person/night; £1 coin meter for power Facilities: Accommodation for 10 on alpine-style sleeping platforms with mattresses.  Electric lighting, heating, water heater and cooking; microwave oven; fridge; all utensils supplied; open fire (coal supplied); running water; WC Things to do:  The Smiddy is at the foot of An Teallach and handy for the northern Fannichs and the Fisherfield Munros. Gruinard crag close by has good climbing and the loch offers kayaking. What is not to like? To book: Contact Simon Jacyna to book your place (even if you are one of the OATs –…

Strontian, a small village in a remote corner of a remote region on the remote west of Scotland, is mostly known for its ancient oak woodlands (prime example of temperate rainforest), craggy mountains and midges. In times-gone-by, minerals and mining played a much bigger part. Sir Alexander Murray discovered galena in the hills the region in 1722 and a mine was opened in 1725, in partnership with Thomas Howard, 8th Duke of Norfolk and General Wade. Various materials were mined, including lead and strontianite, which contains the element named after the village, Strontium (Sr). Strontium, lurks on the left hand side of the period table of elements, below Calcium and Magnesium.…

When: Nights of Friday 4th and Saturday 5th August Where: Ariundle Bunkhouse, Strontian.  Grid Reference NM 821 631 Facilities: There are two bunk bed rooms upstairs each with their own private facilities. Linen is supplied with the exception of towels.  There is a restaurant at the adjacent Ariundle Centre. Cost: To be confirmed by meets organiser What to do: 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 across to Mull to ascend Ben More. Nearby Corbetts include Garbh Bheinn, Beinn Resipol, Sgurr Dhomhnuill and Carn…

Traversing the Aonach Eagach Date: 30th June/1st July 2017 Venue: Lagangarbh Hut, Glen Coe (Grid Ref NN 221 560) Location:  The hut is situated at the head of Glen Coe about 300m off to the right (travelling south) of the A82.  There is a car park just off the A82, but you can carefully drive down a track to a second car park next to the river.  From here it is just a short walk to the hut. Facilities: Heating and cooking are by propane gas and electricity, lighting is electric. The hut has drying room, toilets and a shower. The hut sleeps 20 (although 6 of these beds are reserved for SMC…

Date: 2nd/3rd June 2017 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. 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.

Thirteen members plus one guest caught a boat to a hut in the middle of nowhere, enjoyed some excellent company and scrambling in good weather, drank a little and caught a boat home again. That in outline summarises what was an excellent May Day  meet following the long tradition of going to an island for the public holiday long weekend. By deciphering the illegible scrawls in the big red book I can reveal a bit more detail. Colin arrived early on Skye and went for a 32 km bike ride around the Sleat peninsula to Tokavaig and Tarskavaig. Heavy Whalley and Ray Harron arrived early, opened the hut and then…