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September Weekend | Old Stuff | Social Evenings | Past Outings Archive | Home
October Day Trip to Crianlarich
The Mountain Weather Information Service had predicted a lovely day with light wind, precipitation unlikely, summits widely free of cloud and superb visibility. It was indeed a lovely, but chilly morning as Bob, Ally and I met up at Inverlair Avenue. We drove to Tarbet to meet up with Jean and Steven for coffee at the Bonnie and Ben Café in Tarbet, near the pier. The coffee was good, but I had not factored in several busloads of tourists qeueing for coffee to take on their rather early Loch Lomond cruise!
As we drove by, we noticed that the big layby about 2km south of Crianlarich, now the usual starting point for Cruach Ardrain, was almost completely full. Lots of walkers were out to make the most of the good weather. We drove on to the small forestry car park across the road from the Ben More Lodge Hotel, which was completely empty.
We set off around 10:15 and an excellent forestry road zig-zagged us gently to around 400m where it ended at a quarry. A short walk through a forestry clearing took us to a stile, where our route joined the path from Glen Falloch. We continued climbing along the fence for a while and then turned towards the Grey Height and on to Meall Dhamh where we stopped for lunch. The breeze was chilly, but we had found a nice sheltered spot in the sunshine.
From our lunch spot, we had to drop down a bit (it looked a lot, but was only 30m or so) and then the path took us along the southern slopes of Cruach Ardrain to the Beinn Tulaichean T-junction. We turned left an on to the summit of Cruach Ardrain for a well-earned rest. Visibility was excellent and we had great views all around.
After some discussion and looking at return options, we decided to drop down the very steep north-eastern face of the hill. Half-way down the descent was made a bit more difficult by debris from a land-slide. The group were keen to show off their skills! Jean won the star walker of the day award for her well-executed use of the Connell bum-slide.
From the col it was an easy climb up to the summit of Stob Garbh (a Munro top). From here, the walking along the ridge over Stob Coire Bhuidhe was fairly easy and gradually took us down to a deer fence around the 700m contour. After climbing over the very awkward stile we turned west along the fence and descended to the edge of a forestry plantation. We were aiming for a cleared patch of forestry that we had identified as a possible return route on our way up. After crossing a short stretch of felled forestry without much difficulty, a clearing took us down to a track at about NN394237. From here, it was a nice, gentle downhill walk all the way back to the cars.
Throughout the day we saw a few rain showers in the distance and at one point were subjected to a few seconds of tiny hail-stones. On the last km back to the car, the road ahead was framed by a lovely rainbow to end an excellent, but hard day in the hills. We headed across the road to Ben More Lodge for a drink. The kitchen was opened early so that Steven could get some soup! Great service, décor could do with a refresh.
Cornel Brozio
An old friend of ours, and of the Club .. Barbara Douglas .. was clearing out her loft and came across a number of SSEB "Kelvin" magazines from the 50's and 60's.
Barbara's father, Bob Douglas, was in Education and Training in those days .. the Kelvin magazine became "SSEB News" in later years ....
Please click on the pic above to read an interesting article from the Jan-Mar issue of 1968 ......
12 members travelled north for the September Weekend and stayed at the very comfortable Harbour House in Ullapool. All travelled up on Friday, arriving during the afternoon and evening. Bob had planned a walk but was thwarted by roadworks at his starting point and instead he walked up to the viewpoint above Ullapool and continued to Meall Mor. Mark and Miriam climbed the Graham, Carn nan Tri-tighearnan, just south of Inverness. Having started late, they were among the later arrivals at Ullapool.
The weather was taking on a decidedly autumnal feel with frequent squally showers, so Hilary and Susan decided to make a day trip to Stornoway and visit Lews Castle. Justin and James travelled round past Braemore Junction and walked down the shore of Loch a’Bhraoin before ascending the Corbett Creag Rainich. In between showers, there were great views of the Fannich and Fisherfield Hills
Meanwhile Mark, Steven, Heidi and Bob headed northwards for the Graham Beinn an Eoin. Gordon and Andrew sought out the delights of Ullapool and its surrounding area. Heidi’s husband Alex headed out for a cycle ride but had a fall. Fortunately some nearby charity triathlon organisers were able to patch him up and help him back to the hotel.
Everyone met up for dinner at the Ceilidh Place on Saturday night. Both Alex and Justin had to travel home during the Sunday.
Sunday’s weather forecast was slightly better so Hilary, Steven, Heidi and Susan made the low level walk along the shore of Little Loch Broom from Badralloch to the village of Scoraig and enjoyed the hospitality of the local tea room before retracing their steps.
Mark and Miriam had a long day bagging Miriam’s outstanding Munro Top on An Teallach, Sgurr Creag an Eich, which involved climbing both the An Teallach Munros on the way. Descending late in the day to Dundonnell, they decided to eat at the local hotel.
Gordon and Andrew made a short day trip to Stornoway but the sea was considerably rougher than the day before and the timetable meant they had only a short time to explore the town.
Meanwhile Bob made a circuit of Stac Pollaidh with a trip to its col but without a summit visit on the slippery rock.
James cycled along the good track down Strath Vaich and climbed the Corbett Beinn a’Chaisteil where there were views south to Ben Wyvis and north over the Beinn Dearg and Seana Bhraigh groups.
8 members ate at the busy Seaforth Hotel on Sunday night before all made their way south on Monday. There was definitely a feel of the changing of the seasons during the weekend but based in a comfortable hotel, everyone was able to get out and make the most of the weekend.
James Anderson
Join us at
the Counting House, 2 St Vincent Place, from 7pm on Tuesday 6 November
where we'll be talking (amongst other things!) about past and proposed
outings over a small libation or two.
The social evening dates are noted in our Outings Programme, and a reminder will be sent by e-mail about a week beforehand.
