December
Christmas
Bothy Trip
Stag
Bothy was a good choice for this annual safari. Met by Santa's
helpers who had decorated the place and had a good fire going for
us...thanks Fiona and Gordon. Company, food and drinks first class. A
grand time was had by all.
New
Yer 2012-13
Carrbridge
Annual
visit to Carrbridge to bring in the bells.
Plenty
of snow saw some skiing, walking and climbing. Good to see young
Lukas and his family enjoy the hut.
January
Clashgour
Hut
Very
small and basic hut. Friday very wild, even the window was blown in
and we had to make emergency repairs. Saturday's weather much better.
Alan, Kevin, Ian and Gordon took to the big hills and Chris and JC
kept to the lower levels. We all had a good time but a wee bit of
bother on Saturday night when a crowd of ruffians tried to gain entry
to the hut, but were quickly seen off by Chris and Kevin. Chris
fell madly in love with a young Buddhist follower but she didn't fall
for his charms as she naturally preferred the older gentleman in
the group!!
February
The
Burns Supper at the Ochils MC Hut at Crianlarich
Another
excellent meet; we had a very good turnout and all managed a day out
on the Saturday. The supper itself was the highlight of the weekend.
First class facilities at the hut and we will return again at the end
of January. Top marks to all our speakers.
March
Raeburn
Hut
A
good trip although the weather was pretty rough at times. 11 members
attended and we enjoyed a low level walk up to the Lochan at Creag
Meagaidh. Very windy and snow fairly deep in places. Visibility was
poor at times but the KMC battled bravely on. Good food and drink and
an early bed made it an enjoyable weekend. Ian showed impressive
winter skills and made himself a neat little snowhole.
April
Arran
Trip
A
nice day out of Goat Fell, some snow to wade through. Walked up Glen
Rosa on to the ridge to the top. The weather was fine and
sunny, superb views! I was knackered and couldn't even manage my
beer. However, being the good friend that he is, Mr. Harvey came to
the rescue and finished it for me.
April
Dinnet
Seven
members attended this meet. Loads of snow around, so some ski-ing at
Glenshee; a valiant attempt at Broad Cairn and a walk around Loch
Muick. Much socializing on the Saturday night! Thanks to Vivienne and
John for their hospitality and, hopefully, we’ll be invited back
again…………subtle hint
April
Holy
Isle....
Fiona
arranged this great day out, good turnout, the weather was kind to
us. A really enjoyable day for everyone. A truly magical place! Well
done Fiona!
May
Coll
This
was a great few days, even the major fiasco with the ferry being
delayed for hours wasn't too bad....the bar was a great help with
this.
The
hostel in Oban was first class as was the bunkhouse on Coll.
Coll
itself was lovely with great views and fine weather.
With
great cycling, walking and excellent company, this could
make this trip the highlight of the year.
A
special mention to Ian Magill who took some stunning photos, with one
of them being published in the Glasgow Herald.
Midsummer's
Night's Dream Walk on the Merrick.
Not
a bad turnout, the weather most of the way up was OK but sadly
deteriorated near the top. We still had a good time, great banter
helped by the refreshments! Sadly the moon did not put in an
appearance!
On
the Sunday the sun came out for us on the way down so we had a nice
wee cooling dip in the burn. Gordon being the bravest stripped down
(slightly) and went in for a dook! Good fun!
June
Arran
Barbeque weekend Corrie
A
great trip, only Gordon and Alan went up high, some cycled and some
went shopping with much drinking of coffee and scoffing of cream
cakes.
The
others went round the Cock of Arran, a good walk of about four and a
half hours. We were greeted at Lochranza by the local pipe band. The
BBQ in the evening was a great success. Plenty of drink good food and
a lot of laughs, the weather even played ball with us.
Many
thanks to all for making this a memorable weekend especially Allan
the White Van Man for taking all our gear in his passion
wagon. Cheers Allan!!
July
Polmood
Bothy
What a
great trip this was! The bothy was first class as was the company.
Our walk up Hart Fell was a bit hard going for me but we all had a
good day. The weather was kind to us, great views. There are plenty
of good walks in this area so don't be put off just because it’s
the Borders.
Gordon
was cheered home wearing the yellow jersey in the Tour de Biggar!!
August
The
Ochils Mountaineering Club Open Day
Jackie
and I had a lovely day at the opening of the extension of the Ochils
MC Hut. We were made very welcome and they were extremely grateful
that we had made the effort to attend. The sun came out for the
cutting of the ribbon and coffee wine and cakes were in abundance.
August
Cycle
Trip to Gigha
The
annual cycle meet was its usual fantastic success. The Campbeltown
bunkhouse was a great base for the first night. A wind assisted cycle
on the Saturday morning made for a fast trip to Tayinloan for the
ferry over. Every inch of the island was explored either on foot or
on bike – the hill, the beaches, Achamore Gardens, wind turbines,
the new shop………. Accommodation was superb – thanks to Gordon
for organising. Only downside was the rising crime rate on the
island!
September
Naismith
Hut Elphin
6
members attended this meet, weather not great but accommodation was
fine. Some big hills were tackled as was a walk from Lochinver to
Elphin, all had an enjoyable time. It was great that Pat had been
able to attend. As usual the weather improved on the way back home!
October
Steall
Hut
Only
four members managed this trip with a very hairy crossing over
the bridge in the dark! Ian had a big day out, Jackie and Colin went
part of the way and Allan headed for Aonach Beag. Some great photos
of a fantastic place! Everyone was a little subdued because of the
loss of Stewart.
November
Carrbridge
Dinner meet
Again
a good meet with members enjoying a variety of walks from the Spey
valley to the Cairngorms.
Next
year some will need to match ambition and ability better.
Where
2go next year?
- General discussion on meets for 2014; suggestions for the dinner meet:
- Carrbridge,
- Spittal of Glenshee,
- Glenelg,
- Callendar);
- Other meets:
- Jura for 2015 island trip; a memorial paddling trip for Stewart.
- Day trips
- – Chris Lee agreed to arrange one for January,
- James Dalgleish will arrange one in February.
- A cycle trip along the Forth and Clyde Canal was also mooted.
- Various
suggestions for a Midsummer’s day trip – the Merrick, Beinn An
and Ben Ledi ?.
