Here we are again, happy as can be
All good friends and jolly good company
Walking in Glen Affric, 27 upon a spree
All good friends and jolly good company
Never mind the weather, never mind the rain…

…Well that will be enough of that!!!

With One Man and His Dog proving as popular as ever on the Beeb, Bob Weeks cocked his leg at Dog Falls and set off on the outrun with a “come bye and away” to Meallan na Creardaich. He succeeded with the lift at Meall Mor, followed by the fetch across the peat hags to Beinn a’ Mheadhoin, encountering a small snow shower, before being back in the sun for the final drive to the summit of Am Meallan. He successfully completed the shed at Glen Affric Lodge. There followed the final pen back to the bus. A good score, 89 out of 100, for Bob and Weeks just dropped a few points in the drive.

Leaving the bus at grid NH244265, Bill Lindsay, Dave Whitelock, Jenny Smith, Rachel Higgins, June Simpson, Malcolm Campbell, Natacha Mihajlovic, John Henderson, Ray Harron and Ray Newall climbed up through the heather to the spot heights of 878 and 892. Lunch was taken on the col before ascending Toll Greagach. They continued east over spot height 951 to Bealach Toll Easa, with the weather deteriorating. There followed a sharp pull up the ridge to reach the final Munro of the day, Tom a’ Choinich. Heading southeast from the summit the skies cleared, making for a delightful ridge walk and a small glissade back down to the bus. Top day.

Don Asher and Graham Milton started from the bus car park and up Allt Toll Easa to Bealach Toll Easa, west onto Tom a’ Choinich, back to the bealach and up onto Toll Greagach. They retreated south from the summit and headed back to the bus.

Andy Lawson, Brent Craig and Derrick Harman walked from grid NH244265 but set off to bag Beinn a’ Mheadhoin and on to the hump An Meallan. On reaching Abhainn Gleann nam Fiadh they were unable to locate a bridge shown on the map, whereupon Andy promptly fell in up to his waist, much to everyone’s amusement. Far too early in the year for skinny-dipping if you ask me. A great day was had, apart from Andy’s unseasonable dunking.

Annette Turnidge and Allan McConachie set off up Beinn a’ Mheadhoin from the bus car park, then back down to the track for a wee wander down the glen.

Greg Muir set off, determined to bag Beinn Fhionnlaidh, a big day out, but he whittled it down to 7hrs 20mins – quite an achievement. His travels took him up along Abhainn Gleann nam Fiadh and up onto the ridge at NH147265. He continued along the ridge to Carn Eighe, before heading north to Beinn Fhionnlaidh. Having reached his goal, he turned and traversed back round the side of Carn Eighe to the col. He was left with a steep glissade down into the corrie before heading back for the bus.

Greg was not the only one with big plans. Tom Summerscales scampered off to follow the River Affric to NH108208, from where he turned north up to Bealach Coire Ghaidheil. Then heading west, he made his way up the ridge to finish on An Socach. With time against him he made the decision to retrace his line of attack back to the bus.

Bob Vincent and Stephen Linturn walked up Coire Leachaive towards Mam Sodhail. They decided not to attempt the snow-covered corrie, happy to take the time to enjoy the fabulous views and ever changing colours of the landscape.

Bob Litster took himself for a brisk walk up over Sgurr na Lapaich and ultimately up on to Mam Sodhail. I am not sure which way he came back down however.

Fiona Cuninghame and Sandra Doull made their way by Allt Gharb to grab the Corbett Aonach Shasuinn, before returning back via Allt Gharb. “A long but very enjoyable day.”

A good day, enjoyed by all, was finished off with a warm welcome at the Slater’s Arms in Cannich.

Dave Whitelock