Raeburn Hut, Dalwhinnie: 17^th– 18^thFebruary 2017

The Raeburn Hut is one of the Scottish Mountaineering Club huts.

6 members attended the meet. As it was a rather wet weekend, the group decided to walk up to the highest point of the Corrieyairack Pass. Having made the top of the zig zags, two members decided to carry on to the summit of a rather wet and windy Corrieyairack Hill. (Formerly a Corbett, but now demoted in favour of its neighbour.) 

Upon return to the hut, a communal meal was enjoyed by all and the drying room proved to be efficient at its purpose. 

Thanks to Len for organising.

Burns Supper, Ochills MC Hut,Crianlarich: 27^th– 28^thJanuary 2017

11 members and two members’ sons attended the Burns Supper.

Despite poorish weather three ascended Ben More whilst others walked a section of the West Highland Way.

An informal Burns Supper was held, also attended by three Polish mountaineers staying in the hut. (They were in Scotland for a weekend visit and managed two days on the hill!).

Everyone enjoyed the meal which as usual was concluded by a communal reading of Tam a Shanter, including our new Polish friends.

Thanks to Jackie and Ian for organising the weekend.

Christmas Bothy Trip, Polmood Bothy, Tweedsmuir: 3rd December 2016

Five members enjoyed a very sociable evening at Polmood bothy.

Thanks to Joe for organizing and providing transport.

Shalloch on Minnoch - KMC midweek mountaineers 

A wee day out for the midweek mountaineers section of the Kyle Mountain Club.
With some snow on the hills we headed o the Galloways and walked up Shalloch on Minnoch. 

Kyle Mountain Club Annual Dinner Meet 2016

The KMC held its annual dinner meet in Pitlochry.

On the Friday evening Jackie Magill organised an evening to the Festival theatre where members enjoyed a production of Para Handy, here talented actors and actresses showed off their musical and thespian talents, amusing us with a series of short sketches and songs based around the prop in the shape of the “Vital Spark”

During daylight hours with good weather, different members undertook a variety of walks, some venturing up Schiehallion with its improved path and snowy summit, while others went to Beinn Vrackie and a variety of lower level walks.

In the evening a bus took the group to the Pitlochry Golf club where the caterers provided an excellent meal. 

The highlight of the evening was the awarding of the Quaich to Frank Jones for his services to the club and the passing round of the Quaich from which to toast him.

On the Sunday a walk was organised to the Hermitage at Dunkeld . A good choice as the trees looked splendid in their autumn colours.

Len's Last Corbett: 2nd Nov 2016

With the company of some friends I climbed the Corbett Ben Vrackie at Pitlochry in good weather today.

That completes the list of all the 222 Corbetts. Many thanks to all that have helped or accompanied me on my quest. 

Having completed my hillwalking, I had to find something to do with my boots!

Len Foreman

Coppermines Valley, Coniston, LakeDistrict: 21st - 23rd October

The weekend saw 14 members of the Kyle Mountain Club heading to the Lake District. 

 Our base was the Barrow Mountaineering Club Cottage in the Coppermines Valley, Coniston. Our comfortable accommodation had been the former mine manager’s house with what had been the stables now the kitchen.

The area had been extensively mined for copper, possibly back to Roman times, but most extensively in the mid nineteenth century.

Both on Saturday and Sunday we were blessed with glorious weather. On Saturday the majority of the group did a circuit of the Coniston Fells including the Old Man of Coniston, Swirl How and Wetherlam – quite a big day. The extensive remains of the old workings, some reaching up to 700m height, did not detract from the walk and made us appreciate what a difficult and dangerous life the miners must have had. We had great views of most of the major Lakeland Peaks and could see as far south as Morecambe Bay. Cameras were much in use.

Saturday evening was spent at the cottage when a splendid communal meal was enjoyed by all.

Sunday was spent by visiting the likes of Ambleside and Keswick and also admiring the wonderful autumn colours of the surrounding area.