Highways Dec Meet Peebles

(13.12.2015) Dun Rig, 21km, 6hrs 38mins

Highways December meet. Started the walk at Orchard Mains South of Innerleithen. Headed NW over settlements skirting the side of Orchard Rig then the climb to Birks Hill 624m & Birkscairn Hill 661m. From here we followed the fence line SW to Stake Law 681m & then onto Dun Rig 744m. The snow was ankle deep at times but descending Dun Rig the snow was even deeper. It was hard going with deep snow & heather. Made our way SE over Whiteknowe Head 511m then a sort descent before a little climb to Deuchar Law 543m. Decended NE onto the Southern Upland Way then the B709 to Traquair. The weather was very cold with frost and deep snow but dry with clag over the summit of Dun Rig.

Ptarmigan Dec Meet (Fintry)

(6.12.2015) The Campsie Fells, 13km, 5hrs

Dropped off the bus at Glengoyne Distillery & headed E up to Dungoyne summit 427m. After the summit we headed NE over Garloch Hill 543m then Earl’s Seat 578m. Descended NE to 478m, Little Corrie & followed the ridge line around to Barniemore, Corrie of Balglass, Dunmore Fort/Turf Hill 343m & down into Fintry for a couple of pints & some live music in the Fintry Inn.  The weather was cold but dry with an occasional  snow shower.

Ptarmigan Nov Meet (Tyndrum)

(1.11.2015) Ben Challum & Beinn Chaorach,  20km, 6hrs 33min.

Ben Challum. Ptarmigan meet. Got off at the A82 & headed NE up bay Kirkton Farm & followed the fence line up to the south top.  Me & Graham pushed on to keep up with the speed demon Dave. After the summit the 3 of us descended down the steep & rocky NW ridge to the Bealach Ghlas-Leathaid 575m & followed the fence line around & up to the 638m col. From here it was a short bimble West then South up to the Corbett Beinn Chaorach then a descent down  to Auchtertyre along the WHW to Tyndrum. On the bus I jokingly said to Graham as I always do that it could be Brocken Spectre weather. I’ve never seen one. Dave piped up that he had seen a double one before & I joked that we might get a triple one. Sure enough on the summit of Ben Challum it was Brocken Spectres galore. A memorable day.& sunny and clear with passing clag on Ben Challum.

Blair Atholl Weekend

(16.10.15) Blair Atholl – Allt Scheicheachan Bothy, 9.5km.2hrs,55min

(17.10.15) Bothy – Beinn Dearg – Blair Atholl 21km, 5hrs,31min.

 Headed up on the Friday evening with Tam. After buying booze in Pitlochry, suited and booted we were off up the landrover track North of Blair climbing out of Ben Banvie. Overtook by a couple o guys on bikes. Followed the track as it winds above the eastern side of the Allt an t-Seaphail, over a low bealach at 514 metres. Got into the bothy to find it warm. A guy from manc and his Chilean girlfriend. The 2 lads from Fife and another guy from Cumbernauld. A good night was had in the bothy with beer, wine, whiskey, music and banter.

The next day Tam wasn’t up for an ascent of Beinn Dearg. After a frosty morning I headed up myself up the old stalkers path NE to the summit of Binn Dearg. Had lunch and admired the views before returning the same way to the bothy. Packed up my stuff & we headed S back to Blair Atholl. Dry and sunny day. Clouded over later

Highways October Meet (Butterbridge, Arrochar Alps)

(11.10.2015) 10km, 5hrs,42mins   Binnein an Fhidhleir (Stob Coire Creagach)

Headed North from Butterbridge up the steep slopes through the grassy gully between the crags. Further up we zig zagged around more crags before hitting the summit of Stob Coire Creagach 817m. After processcco and whiskey for Henry’s final Corbett we headed W along the ridge to the top Binnein an Fhidhleir 811m. After the top we descended W the SW down the ridge by An t- Sron. Followed  the minor road to the Cairndow Hotel for a pint. A wee bit windy and a light shower.