Fifteen MMC members took advantage of some windy wintry weather conditions on the Knoydart peninsula, using the Whitehouse at Barisdale as their base. Making two trips from Arnisdale, Billy Mackenzie, the local ferryman took twelve people in his powerboat across the four mile stretch in fifteen minutes to the Barisdale boathouse to start their two and a half km walk in to the bunkhouse.
On arrival it was unlocked, but no electricity, so Dave Galloway and David Brown Douglas returned to the caretaker’s house to get their brief. The lady showed them how to start the generator and provided keys; she also informed them that the club was to vacate by 10am on Sunday.
Before arriving, David BD had taken in Sgurr a’ Mhaoraich (peak of the shellfish) and then walked in from Kinloch Hourn. He stayed in the bothy with a party of Dutchmen. Bob Macdonald and
Graeme Gunn came kayaking in from Corran to complete our party. This they did arriving in the dark and ended up paddling up the wrong stream and having to abandon their kayaks until daylight.
With a late start planned for Saturday, alcohol flowed and out came the fiddle; Bob and Chrissy danced to the small hours. The following morning after breakfast, an excursion to the Forge Inn at Inverie was planned for Jake Lee, Janice Taylor, Margaret Patterson, Fiona Duncan, Graeme G and Bob. A four hour trek for a pint and a bowl of soup, but blessed with the sight of an eagle soaring high above the Mam Barrisdale Bealach. In the pub, Janice tried to organise transport back by asking everyone in the bar for a lift, but no offers, so home after dark to complete an eight hour trek.
Paul Chapel, Jo Cross, David BD, Caroline Chapman and Ray Harron set off by 9 am to do Luinne Bheinn via the Mam Barisdale. Having spotted a raven from the summit, they traversed along the ridge, where they had to wear goggles against spindrift. Ray cut steps down to the bealach below Meall Coire na Gaoithe n-Ear (means “peak above the coire of the east wind”-only 90 degrees out). Kicking steps as required along to Meall Buidhe, they managed to avoid the use of crampons. They completed their horseshoe route down to the Barisdale-Inverie footpath. A long slog up over the Bealach, past the grazing stags by the roadside and home to complete a nine hour day.
Graeme Morrison, who is close to completing his Munros for the second time, was away for 8 am to complete Meall Buidhe, Luinne Bheinn and Ladhar Bheinn. Losing height to 235m from 946m, before ascending Ladhar Bheinn at 1020m was his low point, but the three Knoydart Munros in 8.40 hrs in bad weather made the evening drams taste sweeter.
Chrissy McKay, Evylene Doege and Dave G did Ladhar Bheinn coming in over the Druim a’Choire Odhair. Finding the ridge in good winter conditions above five hundred meters and with the wind ibehind them, they enjoyed the scramble up Stob a Choire Odhair and then the pyramid-shaped summit of Ladhar Bheinn. From there, in strong crosswinds, they turned east along the ridge to the bealach below Stob Choire a’ Chearcaill, then down to the Mam Barisdale before home to end a successful nine hour day.
Saturday evening saw the celebration of the day’s events in traditional style, with Mr Jameson and Mr Guinness as principal guests. About 10pm two Landrovers pulled up outside. Dave G answered the door to find a group of of soldiers enquiring after David BD, as the Dutchmen he’d shared the bothy with had not seen him return from the hill and reported him missing. The Army lads, who were bivvying in an outhouse behind the farm, where alerted by the lady caretaker and immediately started to help. Taking into account the inclement weather, it was a very considerate gesture. Dave thanked them very much for their reaction and response.
Sunday dawned to high winds, rain, and snow showers. Plans for the day were postponed for another day. However, come 8.30am the weather cleared up, so Dave G, Graeme M, and Chrissy set of to Sgurr a’ Choire Bheithe. They made the summit just as the weather turned, but were able to drop below the bad weather and made the ferry landing by 1.30pm. Meantime David B.D set off up the Druim a’ Choire Odhair to do Ladhar Bheinn, returning by the same route. David then collected his gear and walked out to his car while six caught a 1pm ferry. Bob and Graeme G paddled out, while the final six had to wait until 4pm to catch the last ferry.
In conclusion, there is something for everyone in Knoydart, even in bad weather.
Dave Galloway
For photos from this meet click here
A perfect winter day rewarded all 24 members and guests who attended this bus meet.
