Newsletter –9thJanuary2018 /
What’s Been Happening
Sat. 23/12/17 – Ben Ledi
Five members climbed Ben Ledi on a lovely day, accompanied by Bracken and Baillie the dogs (Below).
Sunday 07/01/18 – An Caisteal and Beinn a’ Chroin
We had 14 members on this walk. Deidre, Rebecca and Annie arrived early and managed both munros. Well done to them. The snow was deep in places and icy. Waiting to hear how the scramble up Beinn a’ Chroin went. The rest of the group (above) climbed An Caisteal. Blue sky and sunshine, so excellent views.
Future Walks
Sunday 28/01/18 – A’Bhuidheanach and Carn na Caim (Drumochter)
This is a high level walk with two munros in the Drumochter Pass. Walk Highlands lists a distance of 12 miles and approximately 5-6 hours. Snow should be expected which will lengthen the walking time. There is the option to do either munro then return. These hills require good navigation skills as the area between the munros has limited features and snow underfoot will cover any munro path. Winter walking equipment should be considered. Meet at 0645hrs at the Greenpark Centre car park.
Sunday 04/02/18 – Balloch to Helensburgh (Three Lochs Way)
This low level walk is approximately 8.5 miles and starts at Balloch Train station at the side of the River Leven. It skirts round the bottom of Loch Lomond before climbing onto the hillside above Balloch up to Gouk Hill, with great views across Loch Lomond. The route then heads west down the other side towards Helensburgh and views across the Clyde to Gourock and Dunoon. The finish point is at Helensburgh Central Station for the return train to Balloch (Trains every 30mins with a change required at Dalreoch).Meet at 0845hrs at the Greenpark Centre car park.
Sunday 11/02/18 – Mount Keen
This high level walk has one munro accessed from Glen Esk near Edzell. Walk Highlands lists the walk as 11 miles and approximately 5-7 hours. There is a very good track virtually all the way to the summit. There is a chance the hill could still have snow. Meet at the Greenpark Centre car park at 0645hrs.
Other Items
Christmas Club Night – Wed. 20th December
We had a very good Christmas meeting which was well attended. A big thank you to everyone who came along, particularly those who brought food. The earlier start of 6.30pm was worthwhile. Thank you to Norman for another excellent music quiz on his guitar. The raffle prizes were also great. We hope everyone enjoyed themselves, including a few who continued the evening in the Black Bull.
New Year Walk – Sunday 14th January 2018
The club has booked The Bridge Inn, Linlithgow Bridge for 1.30pm.A group intend meeting at the Greenpark Centre and walking along the canal (Contact Liz/Anne for start time). Unknown if they intend walking back? Hopefully there will be non-walkers who can give the walkers a lift back to Polmont. If you prefer to just meet for lunch we will be pleased to see you. Attending -
Janet & Eddie; Les; Amanda; David & Louise; Linda; Liz; Anne; Wendy; Norman; Sam & Gordon R; Alexander; Dave West; Andy Anne.If you’re not on the list contact Janet asap.
Spare Crampons/Ice Axes
The club has two spare ice axes and a set of crampons. If any member would like use this equipment please let us know in advance, particularly the crampons which will need to be adjusted in advance to fit the boots.
Alternative Club Activities for 2018
Over the last couple of years the club has done a few alternative events. This is a good time to have a think about something different we can do over the next few months. If you have any ideas let us know.
For discussion:
Escape Rooms re-visit.
Murder Mystery night.
Go-Ape re-visit.
Race Night.
Karting.
White Water Rafting.
Via Feratta re-visit.
Munro Top Sunset/Sunrise
Club Weekends
TORRIDON 11thto 14th May 2018 – Organiser Liz Morrison
SYHA hostel booked for 16. The cost is £24 per night (£72 each). A 20% deposit is required. Could members please pay £24 to Gordon Ferrier (Treasurer).
Attending - Alexander, Norman, Jim, Eddie, Gordon R, Liz, Carol, Betty, Linda, Amanda, Irene, Sam, Janet, Wendy,Rebecca.
*** One space has become available for this weekend. Please contact Liz Morrison if interested ***
DUNDONNELL 15thto 18th June 2018 – Organiser Linda Mackintosh
Sailmhor Hostel been fully booked by the club for this weekend.Costs for 3 nights is £39.16 each, with a deposit of £13 required. Could members please pay £13 to Gordon Ferrier (Treasurer).There are 16 of us going, but there are additional sleeping options on air beds (which we’ll need to bring) andpermission has been given to tents in the grounds. Motorhomes are also being considered.
Attending -
Gordon Ferrier, Norman Easton,Gordon Russell,Andy Govan,Jim Beveridge
Linda Mackintosh, Betty Hendry, Liz Morrison, Deirdre Evans, Carol Faulds, Irene Leckie, Rebeccca McCuaig, Sam McVickers, Mary McFarlane, Annie McDermott, Elsa Yates.
BRAEMAR 7thto 10th Sept 2018 – Organiser Gordon Ferrier
*** One space has become available for a female on this weekend. Please contact Gordon Ferrier if interested ***
19 members are going to Braemar SYHA hostel. Costs are £22 per night (£66 each). A deposit of £22 for the first nightis required. Please pay Gordon Ferrier (Treasurer).
Attending -
Elsa Yates, Amanda Campbell, Sam McVickers, Gordon Russell, Jim Beveridge, Janet Kelly,Eddie,
Norman Easton, Carol Faulds, Irene Leckie, Gordon Ferrier, Rebecca McCuaig, Linda Mackintosh, Les Mackie, Elizabeth Hendry, Andy Govan, Deirdre Evans, Gordon Walker, Brian Dempsey.
Knoydart 10th to 13th May 2019
The bunkhouse at Knoydart has been booked for 10th to 13th May 2019. We have booked 2 rooms (10 bed and 8 bed). The cost is £18 per night (£54 each). Attending -
Liz, Anne, Betty, Linda, Carol, Sam, Elsa, Deidre, Rebecca, Mary, Janet, Alexander, Gordon F, Gordon W,
Gordon R, Norman, Andy, Eddie.Deposit to be confirmed.
Winter Weather Information
Mountaineering Scotland offers a ‘one stop shop’ for information. If you go to their website at under Safety & Skills Section, there is a Weather and Avalanche page. You can easily access the MWIS (Mountain Weather Information Service), Met Office mountain weather forecasts and the Avalanche Information Service.
Club nights
The next club meetings are 17th January and 21st February 2018at the Greenpark Centre, Polmont at 19:30hrs.
Andy Govan
Club Secretary
9th January 2018