Log 14 june 2009

KNOYDART WEEKEND 12-14 JUNE 2009

This was the author's first attempt at organising a Club weekend and very interesting it proved to be!
Our party of six left Milngavie at 05:45 am - Iain Wilson, Sue and Noelle went in one car and Shaun, Allan and Fraser travelled in the other car.
We were also due to rendezvouz with Koon and Dave K on Saturday night at Inverie for dinner at the Old Forge Pub.
Dave and Koon were backpacking into Sourlies Bothy from the Strathan side of Loch Arkaig.   
We arrived at Mallaig Harbour in glorious weather at about 09:30 am where we were met by Ewen Nicolson, the skipper of the "Grimsay Isle", the nautical arm of our Knoydart expedition.   
Ewen describes himself as a "Hebridean Skipper" and swears blind that he hasn't touched a drop for 7 years since he fell into Mallaig Harbour at the New Year!!!   
Ewen is one of life's characters and his boat reflects this.
He has a pet seagull (Samantha) that joins him outside the harbour and perches on the mast for most of the journey. 
He also has befriended an otter (seen the pictures) and allegedly has a tame seal which comes to the boat when he hears the engine.
Tea and biscuits were served by the skipper who was in turn beguiled by Noelle`s Irish charm. He is probably the nearest thing to a living "Para Handy".
 
Anyone who has sailed into Inverie knows just how beautiful the approach is.  We passed Rum, Eigg and Skye on our way in to Inverie and were given a full panorama of all the weekend`s intended hills.
On arrival at Inverie we checked into the (much improved) bunkhouse - no more problems with electricity shutting off at 23:00hrs - and immediately set off on to our targets for the day.
Shaun and Iain decided to go for LADHAR BHEINN. A long walk up Gleann Meadail eventually took us onto the south west ridge of Ladhar Bheinn and we progressed round in a slow but steady fashion and reached the summit at around 7:45 pm.  Magnificent views abounded.
There then followed a long walk back via the Old Forge to the bunkhouse and an evening meal at about 10:00pm - a long day indeed. Noelle, Fraser and Sue opted for the Corbett BEINN BHUIDHE on the Friday, sharing the same approach route as Shaun and Iain for some of the way.
Allan who had had a busy weekend in Torridon the previous week opted to go for a coastal walk before inspecting the delights of the Old Forge Inn!
 
Saturday dawned a little overcast and a return to Glen Meadail for Shaun, Fraser and Iain saw the ascent of LUINNE BHEINN from the Mam Barrisdail.
Weather was somewhat of a contrast to the previous day with sunshine and showers.
Fraser opted to return from Luinne Beinn while Iain and Shaun pressed on for MEALL BUIDHE. The traverse between takes fully 2 hours and is reckoned to be amongst the roughest in the country. We can vouch for that. Lots of little scrambly bits and undulations.
We also had the pleasure of meeting Koon on the ridge, making her way round from Meall Bhuide . Koon told us that Dave K. had opted to return to Strathan after encountering some muscle issues on the way in.
Noelle and Sue had an equally long day on BEINN NA CAILLICH, NW of Ladhar Beinn.

Every dog has its day and Iain is pleased to report that he completed his 200th Munro on Meall Buide!! Thanks are due to Shaun for his support and encouragement. The bottle remained unopened however as it was raining and cold on the summit and was instead enjoyed at the end of the evening in the hostel.
A seemingly interminable trudge out across bogs and fields of Glen Meadail saw us back and in time for a memorable dinner at The Old Forge and a display of Irish dancing from one of our group, who was awarded a bottle of Cava for her efforts!

Sunday was a rest day for most of the party, Sue and Noelle excepted.  These intrepid ladies conquered SGURR A CHOIRE CHOINICHEAN which rises directly behind the village of Inverie.
 
The redoubtable Ewen met us with his boat at 3pm and we were soon heading back towards civilisation. Fraser was even permitted to steer the "Grimsay Isle" towards Mallaig for a while.
Our weather on the 90 minute crossing was a repeat of Friday and we were treated to the kind of views that only the West Coast of Scotland can produce on a fine day.
 
As co-ordinator of this weekend, I would like to thank everyone involved for making it a truly memorable and above all happy weekend.
I would also like to thank Derek Hall for all his support and advice without which the weekend would not have happened.
 
Here's to the next one!!

Report by Iain Wilson