Eight Miles High Low Down
The Meet Report
Kirkton of Foss, 23rd – 24th November 2012

Attending
John Kirkham
Martin Dand
John Meechan
Andre Hawryliw
Irene Morris
David Morris
Jake Brewster
Drew Jackson
Jimmy Taylor
Davie Paterson
John Blackwood
Jim Wylie

Guests and Apologies
Steve Gilfeather called off (again) at the last minute to child mind for a sick wife.
Guests were Drew’s friend “Big” John and his friend Murray. The house is actually
owned by Big John’s in-laws, so technically the club were his guests, but either way
nobody was going to argue (or misbehave) as he is the only person that can make
the club’s own big(ish) Drew look relatively small (hence the sobriquet!).

Base Camp Notes
Base was a beautiful, large, comfortable, warm and well appointed country house
near Bridge of Tummel. With three toilets Jim was spoilt for choice, and the other
occupants were saved from bad odours
and his boots clanking about in the wee
small hours. Meanwhile three showers
meant that Andre thought he was in an
OCD heaven. With no television and late
nights spent around an open fire on
Friday and Saturday, as somebody
pointed out, it is amazing what people
can find to talk about (especially with
Martin Dand around). Of course alcohol
contributed a very significant degree of
eclecticism in the general banter. For
example one of the topics of
conversation was Irene’s real given first
name, which turned out to be Isobel (nee
Graham). Irene is actually her second
name, which she prefers. Another topic
(initiated by Isobel) was Jake’s hair
colour. As the attached photograph
shows, he was anxious to prove that he
has ginger nuts. The weekend was also
memorable in that Jimmy Taylor found
the hearing aid he lost here last year! He
now has two, one for each ear.

Base Camp Note Two
Check your boots! Leaving early for the Ben (see below), before John Kirkham was
even awake, John Meechan managed to set off with Kirkham’s base camp shoes.
Now Kirkham takes a Size 8 and Meechan a Size 10 (no organ/shoe size
comparisons please!). This forced Kirkham to use walking boots to drive his BMW
because he claimed he could not get the necessary control in oversize footwear
(more sexual analogies?). The really surprising thing was at the end of the day when
Meechan walked in oblivious to the fact that the shoes he was wearing were two
sizes too small. This must be a result of regularly wearing overly tight rock boots!

Weather Notes
Saturday was a brief spell of dry weather sandwiched between two periods of heavy
rain which caused severe flooding over much of the rest of the country. Expeditions
were therefore limited to that one day, and although dry, the weather was not as
good as had been forecast. Low cloud and poor visibility with only a few breaks were
the order of the day, the higher hills themselves being covered in soft deep snow to
make the going difficult in places. Loch Ericht is down there somewhere, honest!
However on the lesser hills the snow was not as deep (nor cloud so thick)!
This might explain the continued presence of the highland midge. Andre returned
from the hill looking like he had been to the dentist after something had bitten him on
the lip near a snow covered summit. Be warned!

Hill Notes – Saturday
John Meechan, Drew, Big John and Murray ascended the big one, Ben Nevis,
by the Ledge Route, which was a serious undertaking in the wet and snowy
conditions. Normally a scramble, roping up was prudent as a slip was all too easy.
They returned via the tourist route, cutting across by the lochan to their start. The
long drive from Foss demonstrated a considerable degree of dedication, never mind
the climb itself.
Jim Wylie and John Blackwood met up with Brian Penman, Rhona Fraser and
Robin Howie to climb Beinn Udlamain and Sgairneach Mhor in tough soft snow
conditions. Four people with 19 complete Munro Rounds between them!
Andre climbed the Corbett Stob an Aonaich More after cycling in from Loch
Rannoch. He was going to do Beinn Mholach, but turned back due to hard going in
soft snow on very rough heather and short time. The expected views of Loch Ericht
were disappointing (previous page) due to low cloud.
Irene and David climbed Beinn a Chuallaich from the B847. The photos above
were taken on this hill which seemed to avoid much of the cloud.
Davie and Martin climbed Ben Vrackie above Pitlochry (or the “mighty” Ben
Vrackie as they preferred to call it to counter adverse comments from others).
Jake and John Kirkham climbed Blath Bhalg, south of the A924 from
Pitlochry. Apparently the name means “Womb of Bloom”, possibly explaining the
many old derelict habitations on the moor to the north of this hill, which was
otherwise uninteresting despite great vistas all around (photo on previous page).
Jimmy had a ramble around Pitlochry and the Tummel river system, being
hazardously picked up from (or almost literally off) the A9 by Jake and John Kirkham
at the end, from whence they drove back to Glenrothes (in oversize boots).

Eight Miles High Low Down
The Meet Report
Invercroft, Achnasheen 20th – 21st October

Attending
John Kirkham Graham Wylie
John Meechan Lindsay Wylie
Irene Morris David Morris
Jake Brewster Drew Jackson
Jimmy Taylor

Apologies
John Blackwood, Jim and Alan Wylie all ducked out due to a last minute social
(football?) engagement, leaving nine members attending.

Base Camp Note One
It is some time since the club has been at Invercroft. The last time mice ate all the
soap and the hut was full of foaming (but nice smelling!) mouse poo. On another
occasion the club was marooned when heavy rain flooded the surrounding ground,
entailing a long walk out around to the South-West along the railway line. Since then
the hut has been extensively remodelled with the kitchen renewed and relocated into
one of the other ground floor rooms by shifting some of the internal walls. Running
water remained a problem with the collection pipe higher up the burn away from the
cattle blocking, as it always used to in the past. As a result the waterless flush toilet
was an issue (perhaps just as well that Jimmy Wylie wasn’t there!), and there are still
no showers (although Andre claimed that this was not the reason for his absence!).

Base Camp Note Two
The nearest (and only) hostelry in the area is the Ledgowan Hotel, otherwise known
as “Uncle Festers” due to the appearance of a previous owner. Uncle Fester is long
gone, but the up-market hotel remains unchanged and includes a convenient
bunkhouse more appropriate to members of the club. The only other hotel in
Achnasheen burnt down in mysterious circumstances many years ago.

Weather Notes
The weather was surprisingly good as the photographs show, with wall to wall
sunshine and outstanding visibility.

Special Note
Jimmy Taylor’s manual dexterity escaped him on Saturday night when he dropped
his “wee dram” into the crisp bowel. Not one for small measures, there was an
incendiary incident when Irene tipped the soggy contents onto the fire to avoid the
traumatic sight of an old man’s tongue advancing towards her. Since then she has
had to use extra mascara on her eyebrows and concoct a suitable explanation for
her workmates.

Hill Notes – Friday
No hills, not even any en route to Invercroft, presumably due to the long journey from
Fife. The priority was to get ensconced in the bothy, which ‘The Cleek’ did in record
time, leathering a bottle of Bells and a couple of Asda’s finest reds in the process.

Hill Notes – Saturday
 Drew and Lindsay drove to Incheril in the campervan, from where Drew
climbed Slioch in excellent conditions, whilst Lindsay ticked Beinn a'Mhuinidh
(allegedly a Graham) and traversed its long ridge back to the van.
 Jake and John Kirkham climbed the Graham, Sgurr a Gharaidh (which means
Rocky Peak of the Dyke) from Loch Loin on the Lochcarron to Sheildaig road. They
are now claiming that Grahams are harder than Corbetts (which of course everyone
knows, are harder than Munros)! “Great views, strange rock formations, with no
pedestrian motorways and no paths, not even at the summit”. You can just imagine
the patter/bullshit!!
Jimmy Taylor walked some 15 miles back from Loch Loin towards Invercroft
just to get away from this Kirkham/Brewster bullshit! However it did give him a nice
long excursion across part of the Applecross/Balmacara area until they caught up
with him again.
David and Irene had arranged to meet friends at Craig to cycle in to Glen Uig
and climb Maoile Lunndaidh. They also visited the Glen Uig hut which now has
heating and lights with bunks beds and mattresses. But for the absence of showers
this would make first class accommodation. In October 2003 Messrs Hawryliw,
Jackson and Wylie (Senior) stopped at the then decaying building where they met a
lady of advancing years who was visiting this place for the first time in some fifty
years where she had been born and brought up.
John M and Graham climbed the Cioch nose on Sgurr a'Chaorachain.

Hill Notes – Sunday
Their supplies of alcohol depleted, and after tidying up the hut, the majority of
members set off for the long drive home to Fife.
 Lindsay and Drew relocated to the Shenavall bothy via the Achneigie track,
Lindsay to finally get up Beinn Dearg Mhor, and Drew to tackle some of the now
reduced Fisherfield Group.
Meanwhile John Meechan and Graham Wyllie, sickened by all this talk of
Grahams, stopped off at Fuar Tholl which they ascended via an interesting route.
The pictures show both the steepness of the ground and the excellent weather,
although they did return via the tourist path.
Hill Notes – Monday
After a night at Sheneval, Drew set off at 07.25 Monday and in an expedition
of just under 10 hours climbed Stob Ban, Mullach Coire Mhic Fhearchair and Beinn
Tarsuinn. Brilliant sunny October skies were cooled by an easterly breeze to
produce amazing visibility. Coming off the Tarsuinn ridge and walking back to
Sheneval, Drew found it had been invaded by three Germans who were doing the
Poolewe-Kinlochewe traverse via a number of bothies.
Lindsay, as usual rising somewhat later, decided to try a scrambly ridge
towards the summit of Beinn Dearg Mhor, having gained more height then he
originally intended. However this proved slightly too technical for Gus, dogs being
devoid of thumbs, and the pair had to retreat to an alternative route with a significant
loss of height. Nonetheless they did eventually summit.
A contented evening followed at Sheneval, studying the flames of the coal fire
they had carried in (none of the methylated spirits and cooking oil pyrotechnics with
which the club had nearly burnt this bothy down on a previous occasion). They all
walked out Tuesday in yet more wall to wall sunshine after a brilliant weekend.

Eight Miles High Low Down 

The Meet Report 

Inverardran Cottage, Crianlarich 

3rd – 5th August  

Attending 

Jake Brewster

John Kirkham 

Andre Hawryliw

John Meechan 

Mike Paterson

Davie Paterson 

Martin Dand

Jimmy Taylor 

Graham Wyllie 

Apologies 

None: all who said they were going went, including Martin on a special permit from senior management. Quite a good attendance given the holiday period. 

Base Camp Notes 

Inverardran Cottage is an old favourite of the club, given its easy access from Fife and good location for the hills. After a major refurbishment some years ago, it is again undergoing a major upgrade with a big new kitchen extension being added out to the back (see photographs). This includes an access ramp presumably for wheelchairs (Disabled Ramblers please note), confirmed by a large “wet room” shower which was still under construction in the body of the cottage (Andre please note). It is assumed that the Ochills Club (who own the cottage) are experts in funding sources and have used this facility to contribute to their extension. All the appliances in this new kitchen are brand new, and whilst it lacks “comfy” chairs, the design around a large communal table makes it the social centre of the extended cottage (much as the previous kitchen, but much bigger and better).Two clubs could comfortably use the excellent facilities (the other basing themselves around the lounge) if they wanted to be anti-social. As it was, only the Eight Miles High members were there, and we based ourselves in the new kitchen extension, although sleeping was distributed around the whole cottage to avoid snorers and those with prostate issues in the night. 

Base Camp Notes 

A number of members were accused of talking in their sleep, suspicion falling on two individuals, one being profane and the other being incoherent (no prizes for guessing which was who).  There were also issues with an unidentified “Phantom Clanger” crashing about in the middle of the night, walking into (and falling over) things, as well as knocking them over. An older Whylie apparition or wraith was suspected, but discounted when the noise stopped as the morning approached (when the Whylie phenomenon usually starts).  

Weather Notes 

The weather was excellent on the Friday and Saturday with intermittent sunny intervals despite fairly extensive cloud cover, which built up later in the day.  Heavy showers also moved in later on Saturday (especially to the South over Cruach Ardrain) after a bright start. These showers disappeared again by Sunday morning, that day again being bright and hazy despite the threat of rain. It was probably a bit too warm and humid for any strenuous exertion on most days. 

Special Note One 

Jimmy Taylor practiced for his imminent 90th Birthday by going for a “short stroll” between the Victoria Bridge and Tyndrum. He also successfully completed “The Ultimate Challenge” across Scotland earlier this year, being (it is believed) the oldest entrant, never mind finisher. Everyone in the club aspires to be like Jimmy at his age, especially getting there in the first place. He is a walking testament to the outdoor life and the recuperative properties of Whyte and Mackay!  

Special Note Two 

A new local hydroelectric scheme has been installed in Glen Coralan above the Bridge of Orchy, presumably for the use of the Auch Estate. The Alt Corolan has been dammed higher up by a waterfall, and a two-foot pipe buried under the access track to take the water over a mile down to the Alt Kinglass where a small new generating station has been built.  

Hill Notes – Friday 

Andre Hawryliw 

The five Corbetts north of Tyndrum (Beinn Odhar, Beinn Chaorach, am Chreag, Beinn nam Fuaran and Beinn a Chaisteil). Claimed to be the most Corbetts that a person can do in a day, it is not an easy undertaking with a lot of steep ascents, descents and re-ascents totalling 16½ miles and 6,365 feet of ascent (measured by GPS). The western descent of Beinn nam Fuaran is particularly steep, whilst the drops between Odhar / Chaorach and Chreag / Fuaran are very deep and arduous. 

Mike Paterson 

The Arrochar Munro Ben Vorlich from Glen Sloy. Readers are reminded that the approach from Loch Lomond over the Small Hills can be treacherous in winter snow due to the presence of a lot of deep pits in the rock (where Jimmy Taylor once rescued a starving ewe which had obviously been trapped there for some time).    

Hill Notes – Saturday 

Messrs Brewster & Kirkham 

The Graham Beinn Suidhe from Victoria Bridge. Described as a steep-nosed ridge at its north eastern end, above the Loch Tulla to Glen Kinglass path. Victoria Bridge was also the starting point for Jimmy Taylor’s walk back to the Green Wellie Shop in Tyndrum. 

Andre Hawryliw 

The two Corbetts Beinn Udlaidh and Beinn Bhreac-liath from Glen Orchy. Initially very steep from the end of the Easan Dubha track by a new deer fence, then up along a line of marble outcrops to complete a straight forward circuit with good views. 

Messrs Meechan & Wyllie 

The rockclimb “Crowberry Ridge Direct” on the Buachaille Etive Mor. The day was nice, quiet and dry, but once again they made things more interesting for themselves by drifting off the recommended route. 

Mike Paterson 

The two Munros Cruach Ardrain and Beinn Tulaichean from Glen Falloch. These hills seemed to stop most of the rain, so Mike got quite wet and had to make use of the drying facilities back at Inverardran Cottage. 

Messrs Dand & Paterson (D)  

Eventually decided to also do the two Corbetts Beinn Udlaidh and Beinn Bhreac-liath from Glen Orchy. Some two hours behind, they saw Andre on Bhreac-liath when they were just coming on to Udlaidh, so they tried to phone him (but Andre’s phone was in the car!). Being that bit later they also got caught in the rain showers that came on later in the day, and also needed the drying facilities. 

Hill Notes – Sunday 

Messrs Meechan & Wyllie 

After abandoning the idea of January Jigsaw yet again due to imperfect conditions chose to go down to do Graham's second last Munro during the ascent of which he managed to lose his car keys and had to meet his brother in perth with a spare set before heading back again to Crianlarich to pick up his car

Andre Hawryliw 

The Corbett Bhein Mhic-Mhonaidh from Eas Urchaidh in Glen Orchy. The long walk in through the forestry is a delight on a nice day, especially the trees in the Caledonian Forrest Reserve at the Alt Broighleachan. 

Concluding Note 

Graham Wyllie will be celebrating his last Munro (Bla Bhein on Skye) at the next club meet which is on 14th and 15th September, based at Willie Nicholson’s Hut at Camas Lunie in Kintail. The intent is to climb Bla Bhein on the Saturday, after meeting up on the Friday evening, with Sunday for those that need to get home.