Bus Meet 16th September 2018 to Loch Muick

Destination: Glen Muick car park
Pickup points: Elgin 7:00, Forres 7:20, Grantown 7:50
Map(s): OS Map 44
Arrive: 9:45
Depart: 18:00

Leaving Elgin at 7:00, the bus will go to Forres (7:20) and then onto Grantown (7:50). So, the Inverness contingency will either have to drive to Grantown or just drive to Loch Muick. We should arrive at the Glen Muick car park at approximately 9:45/10:00, where the bus will stay for the day. If you are going by car/van then note that there is a charge for parking here (£4 the last time I was there). We would need to leave the car park at 18:00 at the latest to allow for a 30 minute refreshment stop at Ballatar and to get back to Elgin by 21:30 at the latest. So, that would only allow about 8hrs 15 minutes if you are thinking of tackling all 5 Munros! The recommended time for these hills is 9hrs the 5 Munros of Cac Carn Beag, Carn a’ Choire Boidheach, Carn an t-Sagairt Mor, Cairn Bannoch and Broad Cairn might just be possible. For the rest of us then there is the Corbett Conachcraig, the Munro Lochnagar (Cac Carn Beag) or a stroll around the banks of Loch Muick. Here’s hoping the weather stays fine!
1. Walk around Loch Muick
2. Conachcraig (Corbett, 856m, ascent 470m, time to summit approx. 2hr)
3. Lochnagar (Cac Carn Beag) (Munro, 1155m, ascent 800m, time to summit approx. 3hr 20min)
4. White Mounth Munros (Lochnagar + Carn an t-Sagairt, Carn a’Choire Bhoidheach, Cairn Bannoch, Broad Cairn, ascent 1228m, distance 29km, time approx. 9hr)
Due to a weight limit (18 tonnes) on the Gairnshiel Bridge, it is unlikely that we will have the “luxury” coach from Maynes. We will probably only have a 33 seat coach.
Names to Gordon Eccleston by email, phone, text or Facebook by 12:00 on Thursday 13th September.

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August 2018 Bus Meet

Location: Kintail/Glen Shiel
Date: 19th August 2018
OS Map: 33
Pick up: Elgin 7:00; Forres 7:20; Nairn 7:40; Inverness 8:00

The bus will be leaving Elgin at 7:00, with the normal en-route stops, and should arrive at Loch Cluanie by 9:30. There are plenty of drop off and pick up points for this area. However, you may wish to take into account that the planned pub stop will be at the Cluanie Inn. We will need to leave Cluanie Inn by 19:00. This means that the latest pick up time from the north west end of Glen Shiel would be 18:00.

There are just so many Munros, Corbetts, Grahams and low level walks in this area that it would be difficult to cover them all. You may wish to look at the Walkhighlands website for some alternative walks. I’ve listed what I consider to be the most likely options below:
1. The Saddle and/or Sgurr na Sgine
2. The Eastern South Shiel Ridge – Creag a’Mhaim, Druim Shionnach, Aonach air Chrith and Maol Chinn-dearg
3. The Western South Shiel Ridge – Sgurr an Doire Leathain, Sgurr an Lochain and Creag nan Damh
4. North East Loch Cluanie – Carn Ghluisaaid, Sgurr nan Conbhrain and Sail Chaorainn
5. North West Loch Cluanie – A’Chralaig and Mullach Fraoch-choire
6. Cluanie Inn – Ciste Dubhh and/or Am Bathach
7. North East Glen Shiel – Aonach Meadhoin, Sgurr a’ Bhealaich Dheirg and Saileg
8. North West Glen Shiel – Sgurr na Ciste Duibhe, Sgurr na Carnach and Sgurr Fhuaran.
9. Morvich – Cluanie Inn traverse via Affric Way (or Cluanie Inn – Morvich traverse)

Once everyone is dropped off, the bus will park at the car park at Morvich. The car park is marked on the map, to the north of the River Croe by the war memorial and St Dubhthach’s Church (grid reference NG 945 212).

As usual, could you email/text/phone/Facebook me before 20:00 on Wednesday 15th August to book a place on the bus

Gordon Eccleston

Car Meet – July 2018

Car Meet
Date: 15th July 2018
Location: Spean Bridge
OS 41

Normally there isn’t a bus meet during July – so we have a car meet instead!
A car meet allows us to go to some of the locations that the bus cannot reach, either due to narrow roads or it is too far to allow the driver to get back in time. It also allows those with dogs to bring their canine friends along for a day in the hills!

The options for this meet are:
1. the 2 Corbetts, Cruach Innse and Sgurr Innse
2. the Munro, Stob Ban
3. the Grey Corries (2 or 3 munros)

The starting point for any of these walks is few kilometres up a very rough track from Corriechoille, just beyond the end of a minor road from Spean Bridge. Driving the track requires great care due to potholes. There is a parking place at NN252793, where the track branches right. However, there is limited parking there – and if it is full up, then you need to drive back down the road, and try parking at the farm.

Stob Ban or the 2 Corbetts can easily be managed within our normal bus meet times. There is also a nice bothy at the foot of Stob Ban. However, you would need to be traveling quite quickly, or have an early start, if you wish to tackle the 2 or 3 munros that make up the Grey Corries.

Further details regarding these walks can be found on Walkhighlands website and, of course, the SMC books.

Names to Gordon Eccleston by email or phone/text by 20:00 on Friday 13th July stating whether you require a lift or have space in your car. For this venue, I think that car sharing would be necessary and that we would need to leave at the usual times.

Durness Weekend, 3 – 5th August

The August meet is based at the Lazy Crofter Bunkhouse at Durness on the north coast. Details of this very comfortable bunkhouse are on their website – http://www.visitdurness.com/bunkhouse/

This is handy for the magnificant Foinaven and Arkle, as well as Ben Hope, the most northerly Munro, and the lovely Ben Loyal. Another hill en route is the lonely Ben Klibreck. Cape Wrath is a spectacular site and there are even higher cliffs at the nearby Whiten Head which is rather less visited as there is no track to it. Smoo Cave is another local attraction. Kayaking is a possibility and there are also plenty of climbs in the area, on the sea cliffs and inland.

I have booked 14 places – cost to be confirmed but starting at £20 per person per night. Please out your name down soon if you are coming so that I can release bunks if necessary so that we are not out of pocket.

June 17th 2018 – Bus Meet to Assynt

O.S.Map: 15

The bus will leave Elgin at 7:00, with the usual pick up points of Forres (7:20), Nairn (7:40) and Inverness (8:00). We should arrive at the final drop off point (car park for Quinag) by 10:00. The bus will depart Quinag at 17:30 to allow time for a refreshment stop at the Ferry Inn in Ullapool.

Assynt has an impressive array of outstanding mountains. The rock in this area is predominantly gneiss, on top of which sandstone hills have weathered to create some of the weird and magnificent shapes typical of hills in this region. On a clear day, this is an area where you will want to linger as long as possible soaking up the views and taking dramatic photos.

In addition to the excellent hillwalking in this area, there is some good scrambling on Quinag (Sail Gharbh, East Buttress – Grade 3), Conival (South Ridge – Grade 2/3) and Ben More Assynt (South Ridge – Grade 1).
There is also some very accessible rock climbing not far off the road at Inchnadamph, with a number of single pitch routes in the V Diff – HVS range.

The most likely walking routes are:
1. Cul Mor and/or Cul Beag
2. Canisp
3. Breabag
4. Conival and Ben More Assynt
5. Glass Bheinn
6. Quinag

It is also possible to walk, either from Inchnadamph or Quinag car park, to Eas a’Chuual Aluinn (the highest waterfall in Scotland).

There are, of course, other options to be dropped off .and picked up e.g. Braemore Junction and Aultguish Inn

Please contact Gordon Eccleston via email (gordon.eccleston@me.com) or phone (07799 503215) by the evening of Wednesday 13th June to book a seat on the bus for this meet. Note my new mobile phone number!

Applecross 1-3 June

The next meet is also a camping meet to Applecross. This is an excellent and well equipped campsite,close to the se and the pub. There is a good range of hills here and also some excellent climbing on the Torridonian sandstone in dramatic scenery. Possibly also opportunities for some sea kayaking. Although a bit out of the way it also gives access to the Strathcarron hills on the way home on Sunday. I have booked io pitches at the campsite which does get quite busy now that itis on the north coast 50 route.

Names to me as soon as possible please.

http://applecross.uk.com/campsite/

Pods are available for those who prefer a bit more comfort.

Crianlarich Weekend 6-8th July 2018

The July meet is to the ever popular Ochils Mountaineering Club Inverardran hut just outside of Crianlarich. The hut was modernised a couple of years ago and is very comfortable, sleeping 18, with hot showers and a spacious lounge. It is well located for a wide range of the Perthshire hills and is also not too far from the Arrochar area which is renowned for its climbing. This meet is usually quite popular and has been over-subscribed in the past so please get your names in to me early. Cost to be confirmed; usually £25 for the weekend but it coud be less.  The hut is fully equipped. Access Just off A85 E of Crainlarich, adjacent to Ben More Restaurant & Bar
Accommodation 8 places in the ‘Ben More’ bunkroom at the rear of the cottage, on two-tiered single and double bunks. 10 places in ‘The Auld Kitchen’ at the front of the building on a two-tiered alpine-style sleeping platform. Separate members’ room reserved for use of OMC members. All bunks are fitted with mattresses but sleeping bags are required. Facilities electric lighting and heating; two conventional gas cookers, both with double oven and grill; two microwave ovens; two fridges (no freezer); all utensils, crockery and cutlery provided; h&c running water; m&f showers and separate wet room; m&f WCs; drying room and boot room; sitting room with wood burning stove (bring own dry, seasoned logs)

MMC Bus Meet Sunday 20th May 2018

Location : Loch Mullardoch

Pickup points: Elgin (7:00 ; Forres (7:40); Nairn (7:40); Inverness (8:00)

Destination: Car park at Loch Mullardoch

Departure time 17:15/17:30 from car park at Mullardoch dam

There are several options for the day. The first is to be dropped off in Glen Cannich to tackle the Graham, Carn Gorm. This Graham could be combined with the nearby Corbett, Sgorr na Diollaid – or you could tackle the Corbett on its own!
However, the main hills for the day are likely to be the Mullardoch Munros. The Munros An Socach and An Riabhachan would really only be possible if you arranged for the boatman to take you to the west end of Loch Mullardoch. Sothe most likely option for the day is to tackle the Munros Carn nan Gobhar, and Sgurr na Lapaich.

There will be a rerfeshment stop in Cannich on the return journey

Names to Gordon Eccleston by phone, email, text or MMC Facebook page) by 22:00 on Wednesday 16th May.

Weekend Meet – Jura – 4-7th May

Weekend Meet – Jura – 4-7th May

Our next weekend meet is to Jura for the long weekend. We will be based at the Campsite at Craighouse, which happens to be next to the pub.

One / two-person tent – £5 per night

Three / four-person tent – £10 per night

Five / six-person tent – £15 per night

(maximum size – 6-berth)

Showers – £1 (four minutes)

 

If you are taking a car you should book space now with Calmac as it does get busy. There is also a passenger only ferry from Tayvallich. This is quite small so again early booking is recommended. The campsite doesn’t take reservations but please let me know if you are coming so I can co-ordinate lifts.

 

Jura has the famous paps which is a good day circuit; there is also the Corryvreckan whirlpools and some interesting geology. I am thinking of taking my kayak – anyone else interested? An adventure beckons!

Links below

https://www.jurahotel.co.uk/camping

http://www.jurapassengerferry.com/

https://www.calmac.co.uk/kennacraig-portellen-portaskaig-islay-ferry-summer-timetable

Laggan Locks Bus Meet – 15th April 2018

Unfortunately, the planned meet to Glen Garry has had to be rearranged. Maynes will not take their coach down the single track B road. So, staying in the same area, the bus meet will now go to Loch Lochy and (hopefully) park up for the day at Laggan Locks.
This will allow 3 main options for the day:
1. The Corbett Ben Tee
2. The Munros Meall na Teanga and Sron a’Choire Ghairb
3. Part of the Great Glen Way (this will be the walk done by the LDWA members)
Due to time constraints, it may be difficult to include both Munros, unless you wish to forego a refreshment stop or move quite fast (the “book” times for these 2 Munros vary between 6 and 9 hours).
Anyway, the usual pick up points of Elgin (7:00), Forres (7:20), Nairn (7:40) and Inverness (8:00). We should arrive at Laggan Locks by 9:30/9:45. If we take the refreshment stop at the pub at Laggan Locks, then the bus would leave Laggan Locks at about 18:15. If we leave Laggan Locks earlier, then we could stop at Invermoriston or Drumnadrochit.

The hills are still likely to be covered in snow/ice and appropriate winter gear (ice-axe/crampons) should be taken on this meet.

Contact Gordon Eccleston by email/phone/text before 9:00 on Thursday 12th April to book a place.