The annual visit North of the Border was, I think very successful, apart from one incident of which more later. The weather, which always has some input into the trip could be called a bit variable at the start of the week, with lots of rain showers. This did have at least one plus point as it create the most spectacular waterfall, at Chia Aig, one of the side glens into our valley.
For the Munro baggers, a number of ascents were made, including Stob Coire Sgriodain( 960m), and Chno Dearg (1047m), both from a start at Fersit, On another day Beinn Bhan, a steep Corbett (796m) was summited, (twice in a week by one of the party).
Although the snow line remained quite high this year, this was surpassed on several days, but I do not think crampons were needed on any hill.
A number of low level walks were also enjoyed, which included visiting Invermallie Bothy, and on another day, a visit to one of the locks, and also one of the Lochs, on the Caledonian Canal.
For railway enthusiasts, a somewhat limited trope within the Club, a train ride from Spean Bridge to Crianlarich, passing over the wilderness of Rannoch Moor held its own appeal. There was even time for a coffee in the hotel before the return journey.
It must also be mentioned that one intrepid group bivouacked in the Bothy referred to earlier and apparently enjoyed it, apart from the noise and lights of forestry work going on for a large part of the
night.
One event, which occurred on several evenings, was the arrival on the lawn area outside our windows of
several stags who stared in at us, as we looked out at them.
On our last evening a group meal in the Spean Bridge Station building, now a restaurant rounded of the week. I don’t recall any one complaining about the size of the portions, apart from one, who reported
next morning that he had found found the Steak pie quite filling.
The week was rounded off by some, by partaking in the Pitlochry Park Run on Saturday morning, which
took place in a very picturesque woodland setting.
The one downside, as hinted at earlier, was the unprovoked attack on one of our member’s vehicles by a
large rock, which leapt out in front of it, but this is now being resolved.
I should, perhaps, not mention the disappearing bridge, so I won’t.
This only leaves the deep philosophical question: Where do we want to go next year? Any suggestions please.
Dick