Rum Bunkhouse, Rum - 13th / 15th September 

The September meet of the Kyle Mountain Club saw eight members plus Barney head for the Isle of Rum.

Friday morning, we all met at Mallaig harbour around 11.30 for ferry leaving 12.30 and had a choice either to take a small Staffa tours boat or a small Calmac ferry and only Ian boarded the Staffa boat for a much rougher, although quicker, crossing due to very windy conditions.

After a short 15 minute walk to the well appointed bunkhouse we unloaded bags, food and drink and made up our bedding in the two dormitories. Meal at night was Jan’s Chicken and Pasta dish followed by Moira’s Plum Crumble and custard provided by Bob.  Only one casualty after the journey as Barney was sick after drinking too much water, surely a KMC first.

Saturday morning was wet and windy therefore Bob, Ian, Frank and John decided to walk to Guirdil bothy only to be stopped 1k short as burn impassable due to flooding at crossing point.

Len, Jan, Moira, Jackie and a recovered Barney went to the viewpoint, tearoom and a tour of Kinloch Castle although it is now in a sorry condition. Evening meal was John’s Sweet Chilli with Basmati rice followed by Len and June’s Rhubarb Crumble and custard.

Sunday morning was a vast improvement, dry and sunny weather. Bob, Len, Ian and Barney set off for the Rum Cuillin with Bob ascending Hallivel and Askival before returning via the Dibidal path (admitted to getting slightly lost). Len, Ian and Barney climbed Barkeval and Trallival using outward Coire Dubh path back to the bunkhouse. John and Frank ventured on another bothy walk this time to Dibidal and once again were thwarted by a raging burn too dangerous to jump just 1/2k short of bothy.

Jan, Moira and Jackie enjoyed a walk to Kilmory village and visited the beach before returing via the tearoom. Last meal provide by Jackie and Ian was Cassoulet followed by Frank’s Apple Pie with cream or remaining custard.

Monday morning meant packing up after breakfast and transferring our bags to the pier before Calmac ferry at 15.10 arriving 17.40 at Mallaig.

Jan, Moira and Jackie visited newly built forestry commission houses with Len, Frank and John walking for lunch at the otter hide with Ian and Barney staying at the pier.

All three nights were spent in the bunkhouse and after mealtimes all were completed with the usual good humoured chats and a drink or two and also entertainment from two fiddlers who were members of another group staying at the bunkhouse.

Many thanks to all for another excellent weekend.

The Smiddy, Dundonnell - 16th / 18th August 

August saw the club head to Dundonnell and base ourselves at The Smiddy.

To say it was a wet weekend is a bit of an understatement, but at least all the rain made for some spectacular waterfalls. 

On Saturday Jackie, John & Frank did a ‘low’ level walk out towards the bothy at Shenavall while Ian headed out to the Corbett Creag Rainich, returning via a visit to Lochavroan bothy and a walk out along the loch shore. 

Saturday night we dined at the local hotel. 

On Sunday Frank & John headed back down the road, Jackie had a local walk which somehow involved coffee and cake at the Dundonnell hotel and Ian trudged up onto Sàil Mhòr. 

Milehouse Cottage BBQ  Meet, 19-20 July:- 

A total of 13 KMC members and friends met for the BBQ at the LSCC Hut, Milehouse Cottage, near Kincraig.

The following walks were completed:-

Saturday
Sgór Gaoith – Angela, Scott, John & Frank

Càrn an Fhreiceadain – Wendy & Ian

Carn Sgùlain & Meall á Bhothain – Allan

Loch Insh Nature Reserve & Frank Bruce Sculpture Trail – Jan, Moira, Jackie & Len

Sunday
The Sow of Atholl – Wendy, Jackie & Ian

The weather held fine for the Saturday evening and so we were able to both cook & dine outside, a thank you to Allan for the firepit & wood which kept us toasty and for collecting up and bringing down the road the missed kit that was left behind (especially John’s whisky).

The accommodation at Milehouse was to its usual high standard and thanks to Maurice & Maggie and Allan for using their respective camper vans and ‘easing the squeeze’ in the bunkroom.

Camping Meet, Lochranza Campsite, Arran 21st / 23nd June

Arriving earlier ferry Friday Len climbed Mullach Brae another of his wee hills

Saturday Allan and Margaret walked part of the Coastal Path at Lochranza

John, Len and Frank on Saturday from campsite walked up Gleann Eagan Biorack to Loch na Davie then onto Creag Daughter path leading too Caisteal Abhail and back down the path to North Glen Sannox Bridge, then getting the bus back to the campsite.

Saturday night we all had a good meal at the Lochranza hotel and later went to Allan and Margaret’s van for drinks

On the Sunday Len set off for the Holy Isle.

John & Jean continued onto a wee camping trip on the mainland

Margaret and Allan had a nice wee walk round the shore line

Thanking Allan for his hospitality on Saturday night.

Good weather a great weekend and great company.

Len was the only one to rough it!

Day walks - May

Members have had a couple of walks in May.

John and Frank walked from Tyndrum to Victoria Bridge via Glen Kinglas.

Allan, Tom and Ian walked from Balquhidder to Beinn Stacath and Creag Mhor.

 Beinn Stacath and Creag Mhor

Looking towards the Killin hills

Muir Cottage, Inverey, Meet, 17-19 May: 

Eight members of the Kyle Mountain Club visited Muir Cottage at Inverey for a three night visit. This excellent cottage is the club hut of the Cairngorm Club.

Our evening meal on the Friday was joined by a lady from Liverpool who was taking part in the TGO Challenge – a coast to coast walk.

Following a beautiful day on the drive up, unfortunately Saturday dawned cold with heavy drizzle. At 11am the temperature was 8 deg C!  Previous trips to Braemar have always been blessed with great weather.

On Saturday only Ian ventured to the hills; he ascended the Corbett Sgor Mor (813m).  Apparently he had a day with minimal views.  

John, Frank and Stuart did a walk up Glen Ey.

Moira, Jan, Colin and Chris became tourists and visited Braemar Castle which proved to be most interesting. 

Braemar was full of heavily laden and damp hikers taking part in the TGO Challenge. 

Sunday morning dawned slightly more promising than Saturday but still damp. 

Stuart and Chris headed for the hills; namely Carn Liath (818m).  Thoughts of proceeding further were thwarted by the cloud level descending. 

John and Frank walked up Glen Dee towards White Bridge.

Moira and Jan did a low level walk and Ian decided to abandon his planned hill. 

Colin headed for home.

As on Friday and Saturday a very pleasant communal meal was enjoyed by all present. The cottage has an excellent stove with an ample supply of firewood which made for a very comfortable place to pass the evening. One aspect of the cottage was that on all three evenings we could watch a parade of red deer passing by. Also red squirrels were often seen in the grounds.

The weather on Monday morning having not improved much we all decided to head for home.

Despite the poor weather the weekend was enjoyed by everyone and we all agreed that a return visit to this cottage is a must.

Wild Camping trip, 3rd/4th May; Shiel Hill, Galloway Forrest.

Joe and I decided to celebrate the start of May by having a wee camping trip into the hills of the Galloway forrest.

Our destination: Sheil hill on the left, the Merrick in the background

 We decided to re-visit the scene of one of our earlier camps, Shiel Hill.

 The weather started ok but.......

......... later on turned rather wintery.