Glen Affric is one of the finest glens in Scotland with big remote hills in a beautiful corner of the Highlands. As we were in the last throes of winter (hopefully!) there were still large patches of snow and cloud on the hills but at glen level mild weather made for very pleasant walking conditions. 30 enthusiastic people (including 7 guests and returning ex-members), grasped the opportunity to experience the beauty of the Scottish hills in early spring. We also had 3 members of the Long Distance Walkers Association (LDWA), joining us for a joint meet for the first time.
First off the bus (about 4kms from the Bus park), was a large group consisting of Graeme G, Kevin, Andy L, Andy B, Ray N, Ray H, Malcolm, Drummond and Brent. From here the group snaked their way up the hill through the snow and heather, and on up to the ridge leading to the Munro, Toll Creagach. From there they dropped down to the col before the steeper ascent to the 2nd Munro of Tom a Choinich. A chilly breeze on the summits prevented any lingering and they were all back to the bus in good time. From the bus parking area, Lenny, Bruce and John K, headed north up the track towards Tom a’ Choinich and enjoyed the ascent of this hill before returning. Ken Ross on the 50th anniversary of his first meet with the Club (20 March 1966!) set off for a leisurely walk up the Graham, Beinn a Mheadhoin, above the Loch, before retracing his steps back to the bus. Graeme B, seldom one to have an easy day, set out to do the round of 2 Corbetts on the southern side of the glen. These provide a long and challenging day at the best of times, but Graeme was round as usual with time to spare!
Guests Oona and John did some leisurely walking around the Loch Affric area and were lucky enough to spot a stag on the hill side. A large group consisting of Ros, Lessley, Gordon, Graham M, John H, Bob W, Jennifer P, Fiona D, Derrick, Peter and Fleur Goodwin (returning to Morayshire after many, many years down south) did an anti-clockwise circuit of Loch Affric. This was a very enjoyable 12 mile stroll in good company and great scenery and there was even time at the end to feed jelly babies to the birds on the picnic tables (I know …too much sugar)! The LDWA group of Pete, Allison and Rikky were joined by Tom and Desmond for a forest walk from the bus park to Cannich via Dog Falls. With time to spare they were able to add another forest loop to their 7 hr walk. It is hoped we will see many more LDWA members joining us on future bus meets, and MMC members are welcome to join them if they prefer to do a low level walk on these meets.
Last but not least, Joe Glennie created a superb 2 day traverse from Shiel Bridge (via the Skye bus), over the 5 Sisters of Kintail and the Brothers summits before dropping down to spend the night in the refurbished Camban bothy. On the summits of the 5 Sisters, he had terrific cloud inversion views of the summits poking their heads above a sea of vapour. On day 2 he continued east past the Alltbeithe Youth Hostel, before climbing up the shoulder on to Mam Sodhail and then descending along the splendid ridge of Sgurr na Lapaich and down to the bus in a smidgen before the Bus departure! A terrific adventure and something that perhaps, we should add to the syllabus for next April? The day was rounded off with a convivial drink in the Slaters Arms in Cannich! Ken Ross also, very generously, presented everyone with a miniature whisky to commemorate the anniversary of his 50th year with the Club.