This was the first meet of the 2003-04 season and the weather was not as good as last years opener, in Glencoe, when blue skies and a stunning inversion layer were the order of the day.

There were about a dozen souls including two new members Kate McKean and Stephen Owen, Brian dropped Ruth off in the car park before returning to Glasgow with his niggling sore back. Ruth had set her sights on Glas Tulaichean and Carn an Righ and set about whipping up some support.

Dave Foster, Tim Mason, Kate McKean and Stephen Owen left the car park to do Ben Gulabin and then set off to the Cairnwell and further points before returning to the hotel for hot toddies and muffins.

Sue, Elizabeth Maitland, Allison McLaren, Billy (a prospective member) and myself drove round on to the A93 to do the fast ascent of Ben Gulabin. We missed the other party and this is no surprise given the poor visibility and the incessant rain. We descended by the same route and then drove round to Glen Isla to scale Monamenach. This outrageous Corbett bagging can only do irreparable harm to the clubs reputation as a centre of excellence. I have to confess to some gratitude for the fine paths that take you to the saddles on both hills. The day would have been much wetter underfoot but for them. The views will remain a mystery to me until my second round of Corbetts. Billy was fine company and joined in the chat with the group. Allison McLaren explained all about her plans to move to Stornoway and teach Gaelic to the locals. I wish her well in this and in whatever the future holds for her.

We descended and drove back to Glasgow after the customary tea in the car park.

As for the other parties, due to a lack of route cards and this being written up four months later I can only apologise if you have been omitted or misrepresented.

Gordon Dykes