Despite mediocre conditions, 33 dedicated members jumped on the bus, all ready to brave a mixed cocktail of snow, sleet, rain and strong winds.

Graham Milton headed off for Beinn Enaiglair via Meall Doire Faid from the car park after Braemore. He met a geologist from Hellington on the ridge. After spending some time exchanging views on the rising of worn pebbles, Graham made his way back to the shelter at Braemore junction where he patiently waited for the bus.

Flora Hunt and Malcolm and Lesley Leiper enjoyed a low level walk past Inchbae and Strathvaich Lodges. They found excellent shelters, comfortable hay bales and finished the day outside the Altguish Inn which they found closed. There was no sign indicating when it was likely to open. Unfortunately, our trio had more opportunity to question West Highland hospitality by the time they got to the Achilty Hotel where their “common sense” was questioned by staff!

David Brown, Corinne Ferguson, Bob Macdonald and Amanda Strang crossed the dam at the south end of Loch Glascarnoch and walked up the 11km ridge to Am Faochagach. Bob impressed with his superb GPS navigation. Various fauna was spotted including ptarmigan and one white hare. They returned to their starting point using head torches in the last kilometers.

John Henderson, Graeme Morrison and Simon Willatts set off from the head of Loch Droma and followed the track from the A835 to pick up Beinn Liath Mhor Fannaich, Sgurr Mor and Meall a’ Chrasgaidh before dropping down to the boggy track back to the bus. Mark and Tish Richford also did this classic traverse made possible by the use of the bus.

Allan McConachie and Annette Turnidge walked along the north shore of Loch a’Bhraoin and enjoyed a refreshment at the bothy where they met Fran Knowles and Ken Ross. They carried on to Loch an Nid and retreated to the bus over very wet terrain. Fran saw many birds (dipper, heron, grouse) and nearly trod on two brown trout crossing a stream…the closest she came to catching fish on a bus meet!

Alan and Fiona Duncan and Val Kemp also walked past Loch a’Bhraoin and up the long glen to Sgurr Breac. After reaching the top of Tom Coinich, they descended along Druim Reidh ridge and the Letir Fhearna crags. Excellent improvements were noticeable at Loch a’Bhraoin with new paths and bridges. Joe Glennie, Paul Gerraghty, Austin Robertson and Gavin Scott also went up Sgurr Breac and followed up with A’ Chailleach. They met Manja Hannon, Ray Harron and Natacha Mihajlovic who did the same hills from the west.

Sgurr nan Clach Geala and Meall a’ Chrasgaidh were the objective of the day for Paul Chappell, Jo Cross, Ali Erginsoy and Ray Newell. They all agreed to it being a fantastic route despite being caught in a snowstorm and a very demanding descent.

Finally, Peter Miller and Janet Trythall set off across the bog from the coach park. After spending some time in the cloud and rain, they got up Fairy Hill and along the ridge “for the view that was only in their heads”. They got to the stark summit of Creag Rainich and went back down to the open bothy for lunch under cover. They returned to the bus following the loch side.

Natacha Mihajlovic