Four and Twenty members and guests made the journey to Torridon this month and were rewarded with the best weather the British Isles had to offer.

Andy Brooks, Jo Chappell, Corinne Ferguson and Ros Wright took a stroll round the back of Liathach, through Coire Dubh Mor and Coire Mhic Nobaill. With time to spare they detoured round for a view of the Triple Buttress of Coire Mhic Fhearchair.

Ray Harron, Bill Lindsay, Wednesday Lawson, Jaun nighter Whitelock, Jenny Graham, Malcolm Campbell, Ian Morrison and David Brown Douglas headed for Beinn Alligin, via the Horns. They followed the excellent path up the east side of Abhinn Coire Mhic Nobaill before crossing the bridge and heading for the Na Rathanan (the Horns of Beinn Alligin). Sticking to the ridge, made tricky by soft snow and water ice, they continued over the Horns and up onto Sgurr Mor, where they enjoyed a bite to eat. The first Munro of the day was in the bag and the view was stunning. From Sgurr Mor they made their way down passed Eag Dhubh before ascending Tom na Gruagaich, the second and final Munro of the day. From Tom na Gruagaich they descended down Coire Laogh. Fortunately there was not much snow in the corrie, as avalanches would have been possible and they would have been forced to take the ridge. As they descended, a couple of minor avalanches did occur in the gullies but caused no problems, being witnessed from a safe distance.

Jenny Smith, Joe Glennie and Rachel Higgins set out with the intention of summiting Beinn Dearg. With Jenny chomping at the bit, after a couple of months’ absence from the Scottish mountains and a belly full of porridge, she was soon bounding ahead. Joe and Rachel on the other hand (both nursing ‘Ceilidh related injuries’) set out at a more sedate Alpine pace. Their original good intentions soon went out the window as Rachel succumbed to her injuries and lost the will to continue, so all three decided instead to make the most of the Torridon sunshine. Before long they were singing the praises of their newest pastime – extreme napping!

George Herraghty and Bob Weeks enjoyed a nice leisurely bimble past the Ling Hut and up onto Seana Mheallan, savouring the views and sharing the perfect weather with an eagle and a few deer. They walked down to the Grampian Club Bothy at Torridon, lit a fire and made a brew, then wandered down the road to meet the bus.

Julian and Pam Shaw had a 12.45 lunch booking at Coire Mhic Fhearchair, where they dined simply but well, indulged in an afternoon snooze in the sunshine and then returned to the Big Rock Café for coffee!

Rob Murray, alias Paul Daniels, disappeared at Achnasheen then reappeared at Kinlochewe Hotel… Now that’s Magic!

Bob MacDonald and Sheena Forsyth followed the Kinlochewe River north westerly, then turned up Abhainn an Fhasaigh to Lochan Fada. They then turned South South East to follow Abhainn Gleann na Muice to meet Abhainn Bruachaig, then back to Kinlochewe.

A few pints were quaffed at the Kinlochewe Hotel before Rob Murray clicked his fingers and none of us have been seen since.

A few photos follow from the Beinn Alligin walk:

Author: David Whitelock
Photos : David Whitelock and Andy Lawson