Moray Mountaineering Club Newsletter November 2012 http://moraymc.wordpress.com

The MMC Club Journals: Numbers 1 - 3 (1935, 1936 and 1950)

In an effort to preserve original Moray Mountaineering Club Journals, and also to make a copy of journals available for members and non-members to read, I have digitised copies into PDF format.

A copy of the 1935 Club Journal can now be downloaded by clicking on the following link: Download 1935 Journal.

A copy of the 1936 Club Journal can now be downloaded by clicking on the following link: Download 1936 Journal.

A copy of the 1950 Club Journal can now be downloaded by clicking on the following link: Download 1950 Journal.

Please note that these journals are over 70 pages long (files are >8Mb each), so it may take a minute or two to download each of them.

Thanks to Heavy Whalley for providing a loan of these journals.

Andy Lawson

2013 Club Calendars now on sale

2013 Club calendars are now available, at the bargain price of only £6, from the following Committee members: Dan Moysey, Illona Morrice, Imke Henderson, Dave Whitelock, Jake Lee and Jenny Smith. All photos in the calendar have been taken by Club members.

Special thanks to Glen Moray Distillery who have kindly sponsored the calendar again.

Missing Photograph Album

The Club has a number of albums of old photographs. Unfortunately one is currently missing. It was last seen at the 80th Anniversary dinner at the Mansion House Hotel. Would the person who borrowed it please return it to Daniel Moysey (or any other member of the committee).

Forthcoming Meets:

Weekend Meet November 2012:

Date: 3rd/4th November 2012 Venue: Inchnadamph Lodge

Location: Inchnadamph Lodge is located in the heart of – a spectacular parish of , lochs & beaches. The hamlet of Inchnadamph is just 25 miles North of the fishing village of , 12 miles East of and at the head of .

Facilities: The Lodge is well equipped and offers a great range of facilities. The kitchen was refurbished in 2008 with new stainless steel work benches and sinks, new cookers and larger fridges. The dining room has seating for up to 45 guests and new armchairs in the comfy lounge. There are two iMacs with full broadband internet access in the lounge. The drying room is very efficient – so you can start the day dry! A laundry room is also available. Over in the annex (150yds from the Lodge) there is a TV/games room – with a flat screen TV (freesat), pool table and tea/coffee facilities.

Cost: £18.50 pppn (Hostel bunk space)

Nearby Hills: , , , Glas Bheinn, , Cul Mor, Cul Beag, , Beinn an Eoin, Sgurr an Fhidhlier, Breabag, , Assynt, , Meall Horn, , … Lots of great sea-cliff climbing nearby too at Reiff.

Please contact Jake Lee to book a place on this meet. Bus Meet November 2012: Laggan

Sunday 18th November 2012 O.S.Map(s): 34, 41, 42 Bus Stop: Laggan Dam Est. time of arrival: 9.45am Time of departure: 17.00pm Leave Elgin: 7.00am

The bus will park at the Laggan Dam for the day but can go on to Fersit, if required, in order to access the circuit of Stob Coire Sgriodain and .

To the north of the dam lies Beinn Teallach and Beinn a’ Chaorainn. Getting off the bus at Aberarder for is always a popular choice on this meet, it can be climbed via the path going up to the “window” or as part of a high-level walk over Carn Liath and Stob Poite Coire Ardair.

From Luiblea there are a group of three , Creag Pitridh, Gael Charn and Beinn a’ Chlachair. For a shorter day consider doing the two fine hills, Binnein Shuas and Binnein Shios, which also lie to the south between and Loch ‘n Hearba.

Contact Dave Whitelock by email to book a place on the bus.

December 2012 Weekend Meet: Ling Hut,

Date: 8th/9th December 2012 Venue: Ling Hut, Torridon

Location: The hut is situated on the south side of Glen Torridon at NG958562. (See map)

Facilities: Ling is a traditional house, with no upstairs living space. It has just been re-furbished. There is accommodation for 12 persons (Four places reserved for SMC members). Cooking, lighting and heating are by propane gas. Don’t forget your sleeping bag!

Cost: £9 pppn

Nearby Hills: (Munros) , , , Beinn Liath Mhor, , Maol Chean Dearg and . (Corbetts) Sgurr Dubh, Sgorr nan Lochan Uaine, , , Meall a’Ghuibhais and Ruadh Stac Beag. (Grahams) Beinn na h- Eaglaise, An Ruadh-mheallan, Beinn a’Chearcaill. (Sub2000ft Marilyns) Seana Mheallan, Bidein Clann Raonaild.

Please contact Jake Lee to book a place on this meet.

Christmas Bus Meet December 2012: Fannichs

Sunday 16th December 2012 O.S.Map(s): 19, 20 Bus Stop: Loch a’Bhraoin (NH162760) Est. time of arrival: 9.15am Time of departure: 3.30pm Leave Elgin: 7.00am

The Fannichs lie between Loch Fannich and the A835 Garve to Ullapool road. With nine Munros in the area, A’Chailleach and Sgurr Breac to name a couple, and the Corbetts Beinn a’Chaisteal, Beinn Laith Mhor a’Ghiubhais Li, Beinn Enaiglair and Creag Rainich there is plenty to explore.

The bus will be parked at Loch a’ Bhraoin for the day and drops can be made along the way as usual.

Just remember shorter daylight hours and that the bus will be leaving sharp at 3.30pm to head for the Christmas Meal at the Priory Hotel, Beauly.

<<<<< Christmas Meal Menu

Cost of Bus Meet: £12 Cost of Christmas Meal: £21 (inc one drink and tip)

Total Cost of Meet and Meal: £33

Contact David Whitelock by email to book a place on the bus and for the meal. New Year Meet: Outdoor Centre, Morvich

Kintail Outdoor Centre

Date: Monday 31st December 2012 to Thursday 3rd January 2013 (3 Nights) Venue: Kintail Outdoor Centre

Location: Kintail Outdoor Centre is situated on the banks of the River Croe between the Fives Sisters Ridge and Ben Attow. (Grid ref: NG967211)

Facilities: Kintail Outdoor Centre offers excellent bunkhouse accommodation. The centre comprises of two wings both sleeping ten people. Facilities include a fully equipped kitchen, common room/dining room, drying room and laundry facilities.

Cost: £50 per person for three nights

Places available: 15 (can be extended to 20, for sole-use, if bookings are received quickly)

Nearby Hills: (Munros) , A’Ghlas-bheinn, Sgurr nan Ceathramhnan, Sgurr Fhuaran, Sgurr na Carnach, Sgurr na Ciste Duibhe, , Sgurr na Sgine, etc. (Corbetts) Sgurr an Airgid, Sgurr Gaorsaic, Sgurr Mhic Bharraich, Sgurr a’Bhac Chaolais (Grahams) Carnan Cruithneachd, Carn na Breabaig.

The New Year Meet: A superb social get together with the odd bit of walking thrown in. Good food, party games and a ‘few’ wee drinkies to celebrate in the New Year and beyond … One not to be missed!

Please contact Jake Lee to book a place on this meet.

New Year celebration 2012

Meet Reports:

October 2012 Bus Meet Report: Loch Quoich

Thirty-four members and guests boarded the bus en-route to Loch Quoich.

First off the bus was Jim who set off from Poulary to ascend Sgurr Choinnich. Owing to some route-finding issues through the forestry, resulting in several delays, Jim opted to only proceed as far as the summit of Glas Bheinn (556m) in order to ensure he was not late back for the bus. On returning to the bus, Jim was keen to know if Glas Bheinn is a classified hill. Having looked it up, I can confirm it is a HuMP.

View from summit of Glas Bheinn (Photo by Jim Bryce)

Next off the bus were Ray, Elliot, Rob and Sandy who set off from circa 1km before Kingie to undertake an East to West traverse of and , walking back to the bus at the Glen Quoich bridge.

The third drop-off was at the Loch Quoich dam. Derrick, John and Brent set out from the dam to ascend the remote Corbett Sgurr an Fhuarain. Also dropped-off at the dam were Don, Tom, David, Bob and Sheena who undertook an ascent of .

Reflections (Photo by John Henderson)

A few kilometres further along the road, eleven members disembarked at the start of the excellent stalker’s path to Gleouraich. The majority in this group undertook a West to East traverse of Gleouraich and Spidean Mialach descending to the road 1km beyond Kingie. As this group were effectively doing the same route as Ray, Elliot, Rob and Sandy in reverse, I suspect that the two groups met at some point on the ridge.

And finally, the bus arrived at the bridge at Glen Quoich and then continued circa 1.5km beyond to get turned before returning back to park-up for the day at the bridge. At the bus turning-point the remaining members set off with three objectives in mind.

Ray, Natacha, Fiona and Alan set off walking several kilometres further along the tarmac road to ascend Sgurr an Eugallt, a Corbett above Kinlochhourn.

Ladhar Bheinn (Photo by Heavy Whalley)

Stephen set off on his own to undertake a low- level walk up Glen Quoich.

Andy, Graeme, Donnie, Gregor and Ken all set off up Sgurr a’Mhaoraich passing a number of stags standing at the roadside near the start of the walk. This group were treated to not only great views but also several Brocken Spectre and a sighting.

View from summit of Sgurr a'Mhaoraich (Photo by Andy Lawson) Roadside Stag (Photo by Andy Lawson)

The weather was excellent throughout the day with good views and pleasant walking had by all.

It was touch and go whether or not there would be sufficient time to squeeze-in a pub stop at Fort Augustus. We felt that a quick pint was better than no pint at all, so twenty minutes were spent downing refreshments in the Bothy Bar and Poachers Bar before returning to the bus for the final stretch home.

Andy Lawson

October 2012 Weekend Meet Report: Lochinver

Despite Jake being thousands of miles away defending his Albanian Ferret Pickling title his ruthless organisation shone through and The Lochinver Mission turned out to be more than just a bus shelter on the A9. Once upon a time “lights on” was the traditional early morning call to action stations (ignored at your peril). However, over the years standards have slipped and so a new weapon was required to overcome morning lassitude. The Lochinver Mission has it…fried breakfast all part of the service.

With full bellies, members set off in all directions. Simon Jacyna went up Canisp. Jim Bryce went up Ben Stack. Ray Harron, Jenny Graham, Katie Griffiths and Sheena Forsyth went up the fine Quinag and had great views, including a Golden Eagle. Graeme Morrison, Shona Morrison and Penny TWD had a pleasant walk from Achnahaird Bay to Altandhu and back via Meall an Fheadain.

Looking across Loch Stack to Ben Stack (Photo by Jim Bryce)

Fiona Cunninghame, Fiona Duncan and Alan Duncan went to the Pie Shop…the end! …Well not quite; there is documentary evidence that they made it to the summit of Suilven. Anyone wishing to check should locate the Dartford Dangerous Sports Club’s log book in its secret location under a rock near the summit. Slightly less believable was their claim that they were back before dark.

Imke Henderson, Graeme Henderson, Bob MacDonald, Joe Glennie and Daniel Moysey set off with ambitious plans to kayak round the Stoer Peninsula…but then Graeme saw the waves and said “%$^&; that I’m going to the pub”, so we said “okay we’ll paddle round some wee islands like wimps”. Then we started paddling out and Graeme said “%$^&; this I’m going to the pub”, so we decided to go somewhere a wee bitty sheltered. Then we landed and had a wee wander over westwards and Graeme said “%$^&; that I’m no going there”, so we paddled back a bit and landed at a lovely beach, but, alas, there were no bikini-clad beauties or cocktails bars. Then we headed out across the bay into an enjoyable Atlantic swell and Graeme said “$%^&; this, I’m going to the pub”. So we headed back and walked to the Point of Stoer. Graeme never got to the pub.

Last, but by no means least, Corinne Ferguson went to work...its a hard life but someone's got to do it.

The adventures on Sunday are a little less well documented, but at least one group ascended Quinag and another went up via some caves.

Photos by Dan Moysey

The never fail to disappoint. Even better when enjoyed from the luxury of the Lochinver Mission.

Photos by Joe Glennie

Dan Moysey