Sat 12th– Sun 13th December  2009
O.S.Map(s): 41

Lagangarbh Hut in Glen Coe, with the Buachaille Etive Mor behind

Accommodation: Lagangarbh Hut, Glen Coe, Grid Ref NN 221 560. The hut is situated at the head of Glen Coe about 300m off to the right (travelling south) of the A82.  There is a car park just off the A82, but you can carefully drive down a track to a second car park next to the river.  From here it is just a short walk to the hut.

The hut is very comfortable and has electric cooking, lighting and heating.  I don’t think it has a log fire so it’s probably not worth bringing any logs.  There are no showers.

The hut is beautifully situated at the foot of Buachaille Etive More, and there are an almost infinite variety of opportunities in the area.  There may even be some skiing!  This is likely to be a popular venue, so book early to avoid disappointment.

Cost: TBC

The Hills: For more information about the Glen Coe hills click here

To book a place on this meet, contact Dan Moysey

Sat 31 Oct – Sun 1 Nov 2009

Thirteen members made their way to Inchnadamph in the northwest highlands.  A large party comprising Alan Duncan, Dave McClean, Bob MacDonald, Jake Lee, John McGowan, Fiona Duncan, Natacha Mihajlovic, John Henderson and last, but by no means least, Graeme Morrison (and Penny!) headed up Ben Hee.  This was Graeme’s last Corbett and so the summit was duly celebrated with champagne and a wee dram of Highland Park.  Well done Graeme – time to put your feet up now(!)

Simon Jacyna went up the south ridge of Quinag and saw lots of wildlife, including ravens, flocks of migrating Fieldfares, Ptarmigan, Snow Buntings and possibly a Golden Eagle.

Illona Morrice, Graeme Henderson, Imke Mynecke, Dave Galloway and Daniel Moysey scrambled up Conival’s southeast ridge, traversed the ridge to Ben More Assynt and returned via Ben More Assynt’s south ridge…a fine day out.  All three parties had good weather in the morning, which then deteriorated to more “traditional” conditions.

The forecast for Sunday was not good (tired legs, a few drams and some late night fiddling…and something about rain), but despite this Graeme Morrison climbed Stac Pollaidh.  Dave, Alan, Bob, Fiona and Jake endured the rain and reached the summit of Glas Bheinn (if they set off at 4:30am with the group from the “up a mountain” club they would have enjoyed a dry day out).  Daniel, Imke and Graeme Henderson explored the Traligill caves – an interesting wet weather alternative; but probably the caving equivalent of being up a mountain in a pair of trainers with no map or compass!

The northwest is one of the finest areas of Scotland; this trip was made all the better by the superb hostel.  I suspect that we may be returning next year.

Dan Moysey

Well, Graeme and Penny have done it! Ben Hee was the last one, conquered on Saturday 31st October. More pictures on the Flickr page here

Thurs 31st Dec 2009 – Sun 3rd Jan 2010
O.S.Map(s): 33
Accommodation: Kintail Outdoor Centre (website)
Cost: £50 for three nights
Facilities: Up to 20 people can be accommodated in this excellent bunkhouse property. Five bedrooms with bunk beds – one two-bedded, three four-bedded and one six-bedded – fully equipped kitchen, sitting room with wood-burning stove, dining room, drying room and laundry. Oil-fired central heating and wood-burning stove.

Celebrate Hogmanay in the company of fellow Moray mountaineers!

The Kintail Outdoor Centre, operated by the National Trust for Scotland is situated below Sgurr na Moraich, the last of the famous Five Sisters of Kintail, and Ben Attow (The Long Mountain). These spectacular mountains rise steeply from the shores of Loch Duich, offering some of the best hill walking in Britain. The centre is 5 minutes from the A87.

The New Year Meet is open to all MMC members and we have secured exclusive use of the accommodation. There are a maximum of 20 spaces at the Centre. here is no official camping next to the venue, but there is a campsite very close by. However, please note that even if you choose to camp, a bed will be allocated and the full charges will still apply.

This is likely to be a very popular event, so early booking is strongly advised.

To book, contact Dan Moysey by email. Bookings will only be considered confirmed once you have paid the full amount, which is non-refundable if you cancel.

Friday, 27th November 2009, 8.00-10.00 pm, Glen Moray Distillery, Bruceland Rd, Elgin

By popular demand, a repeat of last year’s whisky tasting extravaganza from Glen Moray Distillery, our Club sponsor.

Graham Coull, Distillery Manager will provide a fascinating insight into the history of distilling, legal and illegal, while you savour the hand-picked samples.

The cost of the evening is £10.00, a steal at this price. Please support this event and come along for a great evening. Pre-booking not necessary.

Graham Milton

Laggan – Sunday, 22 November 2009 (See Note below)
O.S.Map(s): 34, 41, 42
Bus Stop: Laggan Dam
Est. time of arrival: 9.45am
Time of departure: 17.00pm
Leave Elgin: 7.00am

A happy Natacha on the last Laggan meet in Feb 08. Will be get the snow again? Here's hoping!

The bus will park at Laggan Dam for the day but can go on to Fersit if required in order to access the circuit of Stob Coire Sgriodain and Chno Dearg.

To the north of the dam lies Beinn Teallach and Beinn a’ Chaorainn. Getting off the bus at Aberarder for Creag Meagaidh is always a popular choice on this meet, it can be climbed via the path going up to the “window” or as part of a high level walk over Carn Liath and Stob Poite Coire Ardair.

From Luiblea there are a group of three munros, Creag Pitridh, Gael Charn and Beinn a’ Chlachair. For a shorter day consider the idea of doing the two fine hills, Binnein Shuas and Binnein Shios, which also lie to the south between Loch Laggan and Loch ‘n Hearba.

For a description of the Munros in this area, click here.

Contact Jo Chappell by email to book.

NB:  Yes, we know its not the third Sunday of the month!  An oversight in the proofreading of the Syllabus Card, but we’ve decided to stick to the 22nd to keep things simple.

3rd-4th October 2009

The October weekend meet destination was Crianlarich, using the Ochils club hut, ‘Inverardan’.  Eleven club members gathered there to join up with Tony and Lynne from the Ochils club on Friday night to discuss their stay.  In deference to Saturday’s forecast, a late start was decided upon, but in memory of Glen Etive, a wet and weather route was planned.

Saturday morning saw Evelyne Droege and Mick Greenshields set off to visit the hydro plant at Ben Cruachan and setting a new precedence by going inside a mountain and not up on !! – it was a worthwhile visit.

The remainder set off in two groups south along the West Highland Way to the Drovers Inn at Ard Lui.  Three wind-lashed showery hours later they met the bear, had some refreshments then returned on foot; the bus back was too long a wait.

Sunday saw the weather improve: The sun was shining!  Dave Galloway and Evelyne set off east along the A85 to Auchessan Farm.  They climbed Meall Glas and Beinn Cheataich before going down to the bealach and up to Sgiath Chuil.  Braving a chilly west wind they returned to their cars in seven hours.

Alan Duncan, Mick Greenshields and John Henderson took the small ferry from Ardlui across Loch Lomond to the West Highland Way.  They walked the short distance down to Doune bothy, before climbing up through the long bracken and steep slopes onto the rocky undulating ridge and eventually the summit of the Corbett, Beinn a Choin.  A tough climb to a remote Corbett, but the good weather was very welcome and in complete contrast to the wild conditions 24 hrs earlier!

Dave McLean and Bob Macdonald ascended the lofty heights of the Shee of Ardtalnaig. “We walked up the path on the north ridge from a farm called Claggan and along to the summit of 750m through bogs and peat hags. Near the summit there is a big cleft as if the side is sliding away from the main mountain. From the summit we decided to descend via the South ridge to a track and back to the car in about 3 hr 30 min.”

Graeme Morrison, Ali Erginsoy and Penny the Wonderdog set off for the trio of Corbetts, Beinn Odhar, Beinn a’ Chasteil and Beinn nam Fuaran. Ali missed the last one out, but Graeme scooted up and down in no time, leaving just 5 Corbetts to complete the round!

Jake Lee and Fiona Duncan climbed Ben Challum on Sunday. “It was an amazing day weatherwise compared to the day before, although very boggy and wet underfoot for much of the way. An interesting hill consisting off a double ridge to the summit. The summit was Very Cold but had great views. Down in five and a half hours so can’t be accused of being a pair of wobblers!!”

Dave Galloway

for more photos from this meet click here

Sunday, 20th September

A total of 21 people turned up for the traverse from Glen Affric to Glen Shiel including one Canadian guest.

Jo and Paul Chappell, Alastair Wren, Jenny Smith and Sandra Doull set out from Glen Affric and headed off along the track on the south side of Loch Affric to Strawberry Cottage, where they stopped for a short break.  They then continued along the track to the Youth Hostel where they enjoyed a lunch break with some spectacular views of the surrounding hills.  Sandra decided to take the low level route through the Glen back to the Cluanie Inn. while the rest of the group headed off up the Munro of Ciste Dbudh.   The summit was very windy but they managed to get a couple of photos before the rain set in.  They descended, following the path along the ridge back to the Cluanie Inn and a well earned drink.

Bill Riddick, Andrew McGhee, Dave Whitelock and Mark Richford had a big day, covering approximately 30km with only two fuel stops.  The walk was mostly on high-level ground, taking in a Corbett and three Munros.  Their initial ascent took them up onto the Corbett of Carn a’ Choire Ghairh, then along the ridge to Tigh Mor Seige. They then bagged the three Munros Sail Chaorainn, Sgurr nan Conbhreain and A Chralaig. All had a really good day despite the foul weather on the ridge.

Mick Greenshields set off from the Mountain Rescue Post at Morvich for a walk up one of the local Corbetts where he met about 20 people on the way up to the summit. Conditions were “wet and windy”.

John Henderson, Malcolm Campbell, Fiona Duncan, Jake Lee, Sarah Tyson and James Hamilton set off from Glen Affric to the Youth Hostel, via a leisurely break at Strawberry Cottage.  After lunch at the Youth Hostel they headed up onto the summit of Mullach Fraoch Choire.  Due to the strong winds and rain they decided to descend to the lower path back to the Cluanie Inn for a beer in front of the fire.

Alan Duncan left the group at Strawberry Cottage and set off over the tops of Sgurr a Dubh Doire and Beinn Fhada back to Morvich.  He didn’t see another soul until he arrived back at Morvich.  He had good visibility on the ridge with some strong winds. The rain set in on his descent from the summit.

Graeme Bartlett, Graeme Morrison, Lydia Davies and Greg Muir were another party out for a big day. They set off from Glen Affric and took in the hills of Sgurr no Lapaich, Carn Eighe and An Socach.  They then descended to the Alltbeithe Youth Hotel and on to the Cluanie Inn.

Jo Chappell

For more photos from this meet, click here

Suilven beyond Loch Druim Suardalain

Sat 31st Oct – Sun 1st November  2009
O.S.Map(s): 15

Accommodation: Inchnadamph Lodge, Assynt (website)

Cost: £16.50 pppn

Facilities: Fully equipped kitchen, bunk beds with linen.

The Hills:  The Munros of Ben More Assynt & Conival are right behind the Lodge, and are the two highest peaks in Sutherland. The rest of the Assynt mountains are equally dramatic. Suilven is recognised as one of the iconic mountains of the north-west, if not the Highlands. Canisp, Quinag, Cul Mor, Cul Beag and of course Stac Pollaidh each offer a fantastic day out – and exceptional views.

For those who don’t fancy the high peaks there are many lower level walks to keep you occupied. From Stoer lighthouse there is a walk to the Old Man of Stoer sea stack, inland you can wander below Canisp & Suilven on the path from Elphin to Lochinver, or below the cliffs of Quinag from Little Assynt to Nedd.

Shorter walks to the Kirkaig Falls, the Bones Caves at Inchnadamph, from Achmelvich along the coast to the old Mill, and around the Little Assynt estate all abilities and/or ‘loop’ path are all popular.

Book now with Dan Moysey by email

Members will be saddened to hear of the recent and very sudden death of Sandy Falconer, known to his friends in the Club as Sly.  A past President of the MMC, Sly will be remembered with fondness by all his mountaineering friends.