Howe Laggan, Barr - 14 March 2021

 With the end of the of the ban on group walking and following 11 weeks of only being allowed the company of one other person, Friday saw the resumption of organised walking with up to 15 persons.

So with 6 people travelling in family cars and meeting up at the car park in Barr, some of the Kyle Mountain Club members set out on the route known as the Howe Laggan. A walk that includes the scenic Fairy Knowe, views of Haggis Hill and the Nick of the Balloch road.

This proved a good opportunity to catch up and plan for the future. As a result a list of weekly walks has been drawn up. This list includes some walks led by people living in East Ayrshire for members in East Ayrshire. It is hoped that in the near future members from North and East Ayrshire and South Ayrshire will be allowed to walk together. In addition changes to the monthly weekend trips to the bigger hills have been discussed and it is hoped to resume this programme as soon as possible.
Len Foreman
Chairman Kyle Mountain Club

Kyle Mountain Club

The Kyle Mountain Club has managed to keep active within the advisory and legal constraints of the past 9 months.

The committee has met monthly with zoom sessions and an online AGM. The meets secretary has managed to defer our accommodation bookings away without financial loss and has a full programme of monthly weekends booked for 2021 into 2022 which, pending enough members receiving vaccinations, it is hoped to resume as soon as restrictions are lifted.

Day walks in small groups within South Ayrshire have continued with a variety of types ranging from the highest point in South Ayrshire on Kirriereoch at 780m medium hills such as Haggis hill down to parts of the coastal path at sea level. With 312 named mountains in the region there are still plenty more to enjoy.

After Christmas 7 of us and two dogs enjoyed a walk on the Smugglers trail at, finishing up on the ramparts of impressive Dundonald castle.

 

At the time of writing we can only walk in pairs, but hope to resume in groups when it is safe and legal to do so.

Len Foreman

Chairman

 Inverardran Cottage, Crianlarich - 14^th / 15^th February

Nine people attended the meeting in the Ochils’ Mountaineering Club Cottage, Crianlarich.

 

On Friday evening we enjoyed a meal in the Ben More Hotel next door where we were well looked after.

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On the Saturday rain and strong winds prevented high level walks. A plan was hatched to walk the old railway track from Lochearnhead to Killin using two cars one left in Killin. Upon reaching the car park in Killin the plan was changed to ascend the path at the Birks of Aberfeldy.

Following a coffee in the Aberfeldy Mill the walk started up past the boards and statues celebrating the poem written by Robert Burns. The Burn was in full spate making a spectacular and noisy walk from the centre of town to the top of the upper falls, ice in places making things treacherous underfoot.

When attempting the return journey in the car we were informed that the road to Kenmore was flooded requiring a detour through the exiting village of Dull.

7 people completed the Birks walk while two others made their way to Tyndrum.

In the evening the group shared a meal of aperitifs with nibbles, Pates with oatcakes, beef stroganoff with rice, Dunfillan Pudding with custard, followed by cheese port and chocolates by the fire in the sitting room.

In the morning Jan treated the group to a breakfast of rolls filled with square sausage.

Although the weekend was not good for walking a convivial time was had by all.

Blackrock Cottage, Glencoe: 17th - 19th Jan.

This year we had a informal Burns Supper at our January meet.

Christmas bothy trip – Polmood, 7th/8th Dec. 

Polmood is one of the Borders Bothies, a lovely wee place.

This year we made it a full weekend with 6 members going down for 2 nights and another 2 joining for just the Saturday night. Elspeth & Allan W also joined us for our walk on the Saturday which went from the Megget Stone over Cairn Law, Broad Law, Cramalt Craig, Dun Law and Fifescar Knowe to Dollar Law. From there we headed down to the road at the Megget Reservoir to pick up a car left earlier. 

Jackie & Chris (& Barney) headed back to Polmood from Broad Law while Len, John, Elspeth, Allan W and Ian decided that they were not yet wet enough and so continued on to make sure we were well drookit. 

Stuart completed a shorter walk starting at the bothy while Joe & Colin came down on Sat afternoon. 

On both Friday & Saturday nights and Sunday breakfast we enjoyed group catering – thanks to all who contributed.

Organised by Joe

Dinner Meet, Callandar Bunkhouse: 15th - 16th Nov.

We had a great turn out for the annual dinner in Callander. 

Most of the group gathered in Greg’s Bistro for tea on Friday night before scattering to our respective hostelries around the town.

Callander Bunkhouse hosted the dinner again. An excellent meal and great chat lead to a successful evening. After Len welcomed everyone, Colin started the proceedings with grace. At the end of the meal Stuart proposed the toast to Absent Friends and Elspeth to the KMC. Jan passed on the quaich to Colin for his contribution to the club.

Unusually for us, the weather on Saturday was dry, bright and cold. Eight members conquered Benvane while smaller groups walked the Strathyre circuit, Kingshouse to Callandar and a solo cycle to Aberfoyle and back.

Raeburn Hut, Laggan - 18th / 20th October 

A select band of John, Frank, Jackie and Barney headed to Raeburn Hut with dismal hopes on the weather report.  

Despite rain during the first night, Saturday dried up to a fresh sunny day. Frank stayed indoors to nurse a heavy cold while the others had a brisk walk from Dalwhinnie to Ben Alder Lodge and back along the shore of Loch Ericht. We shared the hut with a family from England who having walked on Friday, spent most of Saturday listening to the rugby! 

Another sociable weekend.