Scottish Week, May 2015


John did us proud once again by finding such an excellent house to stay in!  Biallid House is just a 10 minute walk from the centre of Newtonmore village (and in particular from The Glen Hotel, which served good food and real ale), and only a few minutes walk from beautiful waterfalls on the River Calder. There was plenty of space, comfortable rooms and even a dining table which could accommodate all 12 of us in comfort. Kate once again provided excellent breakfast each morning.
The weather ranged from the sublime (sunshine) to the ridiculous (torrential rain) and there was still a lot of snow on the high tops. Various people did different things each day, and six of the group completed a phenomenal round including Ben Alder (topped and tailed by a 12 mile cycle along the track in and out) on the Wednesday.

Rather than describe each day and walk separately, the following list gives a good summary of the various summits reached throughout the week (grouped together where they were completed together):

Cairn-gorm (1244m), Bynack More (1090m).

Beinn Derg (1008m)

Geal-charn (917m)

Beinn Bheoil (1019m), Ben Alder (1148m), Beinn Eibhinn (1102m), Aonach Beag (1116m), Geal-charn (1132m), Carn Dearg (1034m).

 Meall nan Sleac (800m), Mullach Clach a Bhlair (1019m),  Sgor Gaoith (1118m).

Geal-charn Mor (824m)

Meall na Ceárdaich (525m), Carn na Ceárdaich (571m).

Creagan Gorm (732m),  Meall á Bhuachaille (810m).

Stob Coire Sgriodain (979m)

Creag Dubh (756m) (the ridge right behind Biallid House which also gives its name to the war cry of the Macpherson Clan)

Creag na h-lolare (815m), Geal Charn (889m), A'Chailleach (930m)

Carn na Cloiche (662m), Carn Tuairneir (693m), Creagan a' Chaise (722m).

In addition, some of the group cycled to Aviemore, walked the Wildcat Trail and visited the Highland Folk Museum.  A wonderful week!