Present: In the Snowgoose bunkhouse, Corpach: Claire (organiser), Alan, Belinda, Will, Keyna, Maggie, Catherine, Trudi, Paula, Annie, Marion, Mark, Simon P, Simon H
In alternative accommodation in Corpach: Joanne, Steve, Dave H, Nicola and Nicola’s 2 friends.
We travelled to Scotland by Plane, Train & Automobile – the motorists arriving first in the early evening, then Simon H by door to door train travel (surely the greenest), then between midnight and 3am the fly/drivers – all very excited by the latest snowfall and excellent forecast for tomorrow.
There was hard decision making over breakfast on Friday – the skies were clear and blue, and the snow beckoning, so how best to use a perfect Scottish day? Nine set off for Ben Nevis at 1344m (Claire, Alan, Keyna, Simon H, Annie, Simon P, Maggie, Trudi and Catherine), whilst the rest opted for Aonach Mor, where Mark, Marion and Steve had a fantastic day’s skiing (half price by putting on some silly hair/head gear) and the rest headed for the summit (1221m). Whichever option was chosen, the views were fantastic in the near perfect conditions. Crampons were required to summit Ben Nevis (a first for many), but the most unusual sight was of two guys carrying a full size wooden crucifix to the summit – very slowly! Their aim was to do Scafell Pike on Saturday and Snowdon on Sunday. The day finished with Marion cooking a superb meal of Scottish salmon, with plenty of wine to wash it down with.
On Saturday there was low cloud cover, so two carloads (Steve, Joanne, Mark, Marion, Trudi, Catherine, Belinda and Will) set off to explore Skye, taking the ferry from Mallaig, travelling to the far north of the island, then returning via the bridge and Glen Shiel. Annie went by train to explore the beaches of Morar, whilst the rest headed off for Glen Roy. A beautiful and unspoilt glen, we walked as far as the White Falls, visited the lonely but 5* bothy, and marvelled at the geological feature known as the parallel roads. Maggie was particularly interested in the recently deceased deer we saw – although it looked quite young, she concluded it must have died of old age! Another great meal this evening, organised by Keyna and cooked by Catherine, Marion and Maggie: various curry dishes prepared for all 20 of us, and a very enjoyable social evening was had by all.
Sunday was another day of blue skies and hard decision making. Marion and Mark chose to summit Ben Nevis. Steve and Joanne did a walk at Glenfinnan, then walked on the beaches at Morar. Claire, Alan, Simon, Keyna, Paula, and Simon did 2 munros from Glen Nevis – Stob Ban (999m) and Mullach nan Coirean (939m) in brilliant winter conditions and with amazing views across to Ben Nevis and beyond. The rest headed to Kinlochleven for a lower level walk led by Dave. All was going well until the route took them across a fast flowing river by a waterfall. Dave positioned himself on a rock in the middle to help everyone across, but alas Catherine slipped and ended up in the river. Will then courageously jumped over to help Dave haul Catherine in, but he too slipped and ended up in the river! Dave eventually managed to help both get out of the river! Luckily it wasn’t too cold or too far back to the cars. Later that evening some went to a recommended fish restaurant in Fort William, others got takeaway haggis, and the rest finished the leftover curry.
Monday was a typical Scottish day – heavy rain and cloud! Most headed homeward after breakfast, but Claire, Alan, Paula, Maggie and Simon P ventured out to Arisaig and Morar where it stopped raining and were able to get a walk (and picnic) on the beach in, and visit Glenfinnan, before using the Corran ferry to commence the return journey.
And so, for two years running we have had a brilliant Easter trip to Scotland – with superb Scottish weather, a great crowd, and really good accommodation.
Claire White
