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 to An Socach while Evelyne headed home via the YHA.

The “wobblers”, aka Janice, Jake, Ruby, Sarah, Jess, Bob, Dave, Fiona & Chrissy. made a 10am start after swimming, yoga, breakfast and mending a pair of trousers (which didn’t work). With many breaks for food, admiring the views and enjoying the hot sunny weather, they sauntered along to the YHA, up to the bealach and along the ridge to S nan C.  After another break for lunch, Fiona, Chrissy & Bob continued to Mullach na D, while the rest of the party took a short cut down the ridge and past Stob Coire na Cloiche to the Glen Affric track.

Alan cycled past Alltbeithe, ascended An Socach, then took the ridge to tour Sgurr nan C, collecting all 4 of its tops and impressive views of Kintail, Skye & Torridon.

Graeme & Margaret also climbed Sgurr nan Ceathreamhnan then Mullach na Dheiragain, where Bob, Fiona and Chrissy caught up with them [Eh? Caught up with Speedy Gunnzales? Surely some mistake – Ed].  By this time it was dinner time and Strawberry Cottage very distant, so Chrissy took a shortcut across the 300m-deep Gleann a’ Choilich to pick up the Allt Coire Ghaidheil path, getting back at 8:30 for the BBQ. The others returned along the ridge to contour via Loch Coire nan Dearcag and take in An Socach, then dropped down to the Allt Coire Ghaidheil path, returning very tired & hungry at 10:15.

Sunday
In our beds we got to stay
Because there was no Galloway.

Into the water with very few ripples
Very small ****s, but very big nipples.

“Let’s get out there!” someone cried;
“Piss off, my bacon’s not yet fried!”
Gallons of tea, coffee & juices:
If Dave were here he’d call us wooses.

“C’mon, let’s go up a hill,” was the shout –

(Quick, stare at the floor or you’ll have to go out.)
We could always fill the book with a pack of lies –
No, that’s no good either, Dave’s got spies.

So will we go out where the red deer roam?
Ah – sod it! Let’s go home.
With purring of engines, flying stones & dust,
It was off to the pub: real ale or bust.

Eventually even Janice got out of bed, just in time for the morning dip and a full turn-out for her yoga class.  After breakfast and lunch we all somehow got packed up & back along the road again with most of our belongings.  The weather had turned dull, but still warm & didn’t rain.

Chrissy McKay

For more photos from this meet click here