Fort Augustus : 10-12th September

This meeting was initially planned for the weekend of 5-7 September and based at Ratagan Youth Hostel on Glen Shiel.  However, private dorms were fully booked for that weekend and the next, and in mid-week. It was a similar scenario at the nearby Torridon YH and the Kinlochewe Bunkhouse. To secure a private dorm in that area in high season would appear to need a booking about 6-7 months in advance!  However, we did get a booking at Morag’s Lodge Hostel in Fort Augustus for the nights of 10 and 11 September and four DHC members made it - Sandy, Stuart, Bob and Graham. 

Poor weather dominated the trip, and all got soaked and wind-blasted at least once. With the gale force winds at times, few photos were taken. But we all managed some walks, with a total of four Corbetts and two Grahams climbed, and a Great Glen Way cycle from Sandy.  Apart from hills, walks, wildlife and occasional culture bits, DHC meetings are also renowned for being social occasions. We socialised as usual in the evenings, but this trip is probably unique for DHC in that all walked or cycled solo each day!   

DHC have stayed at Morag’s before, and it is still an adequate hostel requiring no deposit with payment on arrival - an advantage if numbers change nearer the time.  They provide bar suppers, breakfasts and packed lunches.  I can endorse the venison burger and packed lunch, and the continental breakfasts were adequate. Because they provide meals, the kitchen is not really suitable for self-catering, and they advise that groups cannot do this. They also have a reasonably stocked bar, and as such, do not allow guests to drink their own alcohol – it would also be difficult to ‘sneak-a-drink' because they do not provide glasses, bottle opener or corkscrew (I tried!). The barmaid explained that their license did not permit guest alcohol consumption (seems reasonable?).   

Wed 10^th  Stuart climbed the Corbett Beinn Loinne, and Sandy the Graham Carn Gorm from Craskie in Glen Cannich, with the latter being quite rough walking (not unusual for a remote Graham). Graham was planning a Graham in Glen Roy, but the road was closed due to bridge repairs ---> on to plan ‘B’. A quick look at the book and Graham was soon at the graveyard car park for the Graham Creag Dhubh in Glen Spean and saw a red squirrel there. This was a straightforward hill but, as is typical for Graham’s, no path.  The last 300m was challenging in the gale, but the views were great. Only birds of note were two snipe.  Bob travelled over a bit later and did not have time for a walk.  

Thurs 11^th  Graham was planning a Graham in Glen Affric, but the weather was bad and a short ‘wet-and-windy' birdwatch walk was done instead, with crossbills the only species of note. Graham then had to head home early because of a family issue, where ironically, the weather was very good in Aberdeenshire. Stuart climbed the Corbett Ben Tee and got a good soaking, as did Bob when he climbed the Corbett Meall Dubh via a convenient windfarm track from Glen Moriston.  Sandy decided that his hip would not cope with a second hill day and cycled a section of the Great Glen Way instead; from Fort Augustus to Laggan – apparently an easy section (but not in the wind and rain!). He had a rough return and welcomed a hot cup of tea back at Morag’s. Bob, Stuart and Sandy enjoyed a good meal and a beer in one of the local pubs. 

Meall Dubh Summit

Fri 12^th  Sandy and Stuart had enough of the poor weather and opted for an early drive back to ‘sunny Deeside’!  Bob also went east looking for better weather and climbed the Corbett Carn an Fhreiceadain near Kingussie in reasonable weather – a gravel track to the summit was also helpful. 

Fhreiceadain

Morag’s Lodge was clean and tidy and had a library, with the bar and catering convenient.  Our room was adequate if not large and had a decent en-suite shower room. There is a drying room (or cupboard) that was surprisingly efficient. 

Graham Rebecca