The venue for the October Bus Meet was Assynt which has an impressive array of outstanding mountains.  The rocks in this area are predominantly gneiss, on top of which sandstone hills have weathered to create some of the weird and magnificent shapes typical of this region.  Some would say that these are some of the best small hills in the World (yes…. The World!). A total of 28 people turned out for this meet and the weather was calm and mild with great visibility.

Rob Murray was first off the bus at Loch Droma where he headed up to Beinn Liath Mor Fannaich and then east along the ridge before dropping down to the Aultguish Inn.  Unfortunately the Inn was closed (what a surprise!), so his plan to wait for the return of the bus – over a few leisurely pints was seriously scuppered. Next to de-bus were Dan and Joe who decided to cram in as many Munros as possible rather than sitting on the bus for hours! They got off at Inverleal and headed up Gleann na Squaib to do the 4 Munros around Beinn Dearg and then over to Am Faochagach.  Graeme Morrison suggested that the terrain would be bone dry after the recent spell of great weather, but it turned out to be “bone boggy” in many places!  Eventually they made it down to the Aultguish Inn for a welcome pint – NOT.  5 Munros on an Assynt bus meet – outstanding!

Next dropping off point was the Inchnadamph Hotel, where Lucy, Lindsey, Jan, Ros and Nadine set off to do Conival and Ben More Assynt. They had an enjoyable walk over these hills to the sound of roaring stags and bolstered by team cake! From the same start point, Bob Mac (Club member since 1983 – when fees were £4!), Fiona C and Sybille had a leisurely stroll over the Corbett, Glas Bheinn and down to the bus via the NW ridge. The next group consisting of Heavy, John, Ray, Malcolm, Brent, Josh and David BD also began here and their objective was to visit the site of the 1941 Anson crash (3kms north of Conival), where all 6 aircrew are buried.  There is an inscribed memorial stone at this site (aeroplane flats) and aircraft wreckage is still lying all around.  It is a beautiful, wild, rocky and remote place and Heavy kept us well informed about many aspects of the crash. The group then set off over very rough, rocky terrain to Glas Bheinn, and superb views of Quinag and everything north, before heading steeply down the ridge to the Bus.  Graeme B also accompanied the party for most of this walk, but he did race up towards Conival first before meeting up with the Heavy posse.  For someone who said that he was not fit, Heavy set the pace up the hill and then shot off, gazelle like, down the steep rocky hill side to the bus.  We thought we had gone deaf!!

At the Bus park at Quinag, another large group consisting of Natacha, Ella, Drummond, Colin, Graeme M, Graham M, Katie, Bill and Niusia set off for the triple Corbetts of Quinag.  On a day to linger with great views all around, they made their way up the ridge to Spidean Coinich and then on to Sail Ghorm and Sail Gharb before winding their way down to the bus, in timely fashion! A pit stop in Ullapool for some light refreshment rounded off the day nicely.

Remember there is NO Bus meet in November – next Bus meet is the Xmas Bash on 20 December 2015.  Bookings/menu choices to John Henderson by 12 December.