New Year is always a very well attended meet, and over three days 30 club/family members made an appearance. Some stayed for all 3 nights where others managed a fleeting hello on Hogmanay. The club’s youngest member (Edward – 3months) attended his third meet. Surely a record?!
Mary was the only member dedicated enough to get out on Monday and headed for Meall a’Buachaille after a weekend of hillwalking with friends, Hogmanay was a beautiful day with much more going on. There were groups hillwalking on Bynack Mor, Meall a’Buachaille, and the Corbetts close to the Lecht.
Others went for a bike ride with the more daring getting a good session in at High Burnside Trails. It was suggested a new feature for the website “Colin’s calamities”… Some people had brought climbing gear but the recent melt made that no more than wishful thinking. We were clearly spoiled by the terrific winter conditions at Milehouse last month!
The evening was spent playing games, making music (4 fiddles, 4 guitars and a mandolin) before the bells were brought in with a bang from Adam’s confetti gun.
For the second year running, club members have raised money for charity by taking part in the annual Loonie Dook at Loch Insh. Fewer people braved the icy water this year than last but a few members even managed a proper swim. Special shout to Lorna who loved it so much she went back in for seconds! Next Hogmanay is at the Alex McIntyre Hut – perhaps the Loonie Dook will become a tradition and continue in Loch Linnhe?
Most spent the afternoon on a lowland walk around Loch an Eilein – although Heather M ran around it a couple of times first, before a meal at Loch Insh. Mary managed another Corbett (Geal Charn).
Happy New Year and see you all at the next meet – Braedownie 23-25 of January!