After overcoming the challenging A9, our Friday night contingent assembled at Mill Cottage in Feshiebridge to join John, who had been up earlier in the week, taking full advantage of the excellent weather. It was an evening of catching up, sharing stories, and planning for the day ahead, and some trying to remember what they’d ordered for dinner.
Saturday morning started cloudy, but everyone could sense that the heat would break through and produce some fantastic conditions, high and low, so pieces were packed, boots laced, and tyres checked for the day ahead.
Joady, Terry, Alex, Lucas, Cat and Claire all headed towards the Cairngorm mountains.
Cat and Claire took off for a photo shoot at Loch Avon, Jura guiding the way. Joady and Terry summited Beinn Mheadian, stopping in at the Shelter Stone and soaking in the views of Loch Avon on the way. Alex and Lucas tackled as much of Fiacaill Ridge as they dared before wandering over to summit Cairngorm, where an energetic Maggie and Original Colin met them.
Colin and Maggie managed a fast-paced 28km run around Ben Macdui and Cairngorm, also bumping into Joady and Terry at the Shelter Stone.
Rosie, Heather and Dyna-Mo embarked on an exhilarating bike ride, pedalling through breathtaking scenery on their way to Newtonmore, throwing in a loop to Aviemore for good measure. By the time they circled back to Feshiebridge, they had triumphantly conquered 50km.
Colin M. also hopped on his bike, his camera charged and ready to capture the day.
Ken, Mary, Fiona, and Calum enjoyed the top of Sgor Gaoith, looking down to spectacular views of Loch Einich under deep blue skies.
Vicky and Matt topped A’ Chailleach and Carn Sgulain, two of the four Monadh Liath Munros, pleased to be gifted a bog free hike!
John topped the club’s activity board this week, starting on Wednesday with Maell a’ Bhuachaille, going up Fiacaill Ridge and over to Ben Macdui on Thursday, taking a light stroll over Sgorr Gaoith, Sgoran Dubh Mor and Mullach Clach a’ Blair on Friday, Bynack More on Saturday before finishing up on Geal Carn Mor on Sunday. A modest 100km on foot. Legend!
Returning from a full day of adventures, some slightly later than anticipated…, everyone arrived at the Loch Insh Outdoor Centre in time for a delicious meal of curries and tasty desserts. There wasn’t a poppadom left in sight!
We were delighted to be joined by Morag Skelton for our dinner, who afterwards regaled us with her story, sharing her passion for the outdoors and her mountaineering journey as a deaf person.
Waking on Sunday, there was a continuing buzz of activity.
Vicky headed away for a two-day expedition to Braeriach, treated to incredible setting suns, rising moons, and temperature inversions.
Mary, Cat, Rosie, Mo, Matt, and Joady took the club’s adventures one step further, enjoying a steamy sauna on the shore of Loch Insh with the odd bit of dooking and Heather joining for a wild swim.
Afterwards, Joady hopped on his bike for a 70km spin down to Dalwhinnie and back.
It’s been a fantastic weekend and another dinner meet written to the pages of the Braes o’ Fife!
Attendance: Dave, Calum, Fiona, Colin, Heather, David, Jude, Colin M., Rosie, Joady, John, Ken, Mary, Alex, Lucas, Robert, Catherine, Cat, Clair, Vicky, Matt, Terry, Morag
Hills and Walks: Maell a’ Bhuachaille, Ben Macdui, Sgorr Gaoith, Sgoran Dubh Mor, Mullach Clach a’ Blair, Bynack More, Gael-Carn Mor (John); Cairngorm (Alex & Lucas); Ben Macdui and Cairngorm (Colin and Maggie); Beinn Mheadian (Terry and Joady); Loch Avon (Cat and Claire)
Bikes: Feshiebridge Tour 50km (Heather, Rosie and Morag); Feshiebridge to Dalwhinnie Tour 70km (Joady)
Written by Alex Mitchell