30-31 August, 1 September 2008

Friday the 29th saw twelve club members assemble at the Skyewalker Hostel at Portnalong on the Isle of Skye. Our hosts Brian and Lisa Hill made us feel very welcome, which explains why their 40 bed establishment was full. Geordie was the dominating accent that Friday night.

Saturday morning didn’t produce the  forecasted weather, with rain showers and the cloud base lower than predicted. Not to be put off, Colin Cowie set of for Sgurr a Bhadaidh and Sgurr a Ghreadaidh from the Glen Brittle Youth Hostel. On his way up to An Dorus he made the 550 meter mark before taking the advice of a retreating couple from Stirling and turned back.

For Ali Erginsoy and John Orr, the idea was to go up to the ridge via the loch in Coir a Ghrunnda, but in the mist they found themselves in the T.D. Gap. Abseiling back down what had by now become a waterfall, they traversed to the bealach coir Ghrunnda, where they made their way down to coire Lagan and Glen Brittle. Thus they completed an interesting day with navigation and scrambling challenges.

Dave and Oliver Galloway, Andy Williams, Graeme Morrison and Daniel Moysey set off from the car park, and up through the woods to the Old Man of Storr. As it was faintly visible through the mist on arrival, they just carried on following the path they hoped would bring them out on the bealach just below the Storr. They made it, taking one hour forty minutes for the 719 m summit, with no views, before returning down into the clag again to be greeted by a rising cloud base. The old man was visible, so piccy time before making the car and lunch.

Bob Macdonald, Fiona Duncan, Dave McLean, and Andy Brooks drove up to the Quirang car park and set off south to Beinn Edra over the moonscape ridge. Settling for a wee dram of Bowmore, they regretted not using two cars and continuing on to the Storr.

Saturday evening saw the jam session start: Guitars, harmonicas, a fiddle and a banjo, complete with vocals, as our hosts Brian and Lisa joined in. Thus, a late start was planned to compliment the improving weather forecast.

Sunday morning saw the advertised improvement in weather, so braving the effects of the spontaneous late night ceilidh, Dave G, Andy W, Graeme and Daniel and set off to climb Belig and Garbh Bheinn. At the car park on the road bend at Loch Ainort they met the scourge of the western Isles (midges). It was an hour into their trip before a breeze got up and comfort resumed, only to strike again on return to their cars. Despite the poor visibility it was an enjoyable scrambly route.

Dave M, Andy B, Fiona and Bob set out to do Marsco, however as the rain pounded the car roof, their enthusiasm evaporated. Fiona returned home while the rest did the touristy thing around Neist point. Monday’s weather tuned out even worse, so they cut their losses with this small ditty in memory of two friends and their dog.

Off we went to Portnalong, with plans to conquer the misty Isle ridge
But as we turned off from the Kyle, the rain was waiting at the bridge
Saturday dawned, buckets of rain & mist
So most of us headed off to Trotternish
The first class Hostel and all the good crack
Means we will all be going back

(Editor’s note: Come back Jake, all is forgiven)