"Do you fancy a weekend break, doll?" he murmured in my ear. "Good food, drink, fresh air…"

Stopping just to throw a few things in a bag - strappy, crampon-heeled shoes, beanie with peek-a-boo midgie-proof veiling, sheer 500 denier stockings, flask of citronella scent , lacy Goretex lingerie- and some things for myself as well- we were off to the Ratagan Country House Hotel.

Our room was large, and amusingly furnished with ten distressed bunk beds. We did laugh at the noise the door-closer made throughout the night as everyone tiptoed out to pay a visit! The en-suite was a little detached, being along a corridor, down the stairs, through the reception, through the lounge area and along another corridor, but it did have a shower! I remember a previous visit before such modernization was in place. We were being cossetted!

A fine day on the Saturday, and the house party dispersed on various outings. Chris Everett, Ania, Phyllis, Fred, John McP and Bill did the Forcan Ridge, followed by the Saddle and Sgurr na Sgine, although there is some dispute as to some members of the party actually ticking off the adjoining Corbett too; Sue and Gordon were also up there bagging tops as well; the Thomsons with Ingrid, Elspeth and Elizabeth Culshaw went up Ben nan Caorach; Monica, Chris Huxham, Irene and Allison climbed this and also Beinn na h-Eaglaise; Liz Maitland, Mary Cox, Ruth and Brian did the same hills from Arnisdale; Colin and David Farrow, Victoria Culshaw, and Mary and Alan Cunningham were the heroes of the day accomplishing the whole South Clunie Ridge. Kate and Alan led Roger and Ann up Ben Sgritheall by a small path on the west side, unfortunately missing out all the highlights I had been told to look out for - scree, heartbreaking slog, etc, but we managed to enjoy the day and the views all the same.

Some of us had dinner over the road in a conservatory at the back, and found the food good, if a little pretentious and pricey!

Next day heavy showers and low clouds put some people off going high, but Roger was not daunted. He did Beinn Fhada via Sgurr a Choire Ghairbh and bored everyone with tall tales of clear ridges and Brocken Spectres afterwards. Monica, Irene, Allison, Elizabeth and Chris Huxham did Sgurr Gaorsaic; Kate and Alan climbed Beinn na-h-Eaglaise and Beinn nan Caorach; Elspeth and Connie went from Morvich towards Falls of Glomach; Liz Maitland, Mary Cox, John McP, Ania and Phyllis did Sgurr Mhic Bharraich; Harrold avoided the stalkers’ bullets to sneak up Beinn a Chuirn; Colin, David, and Victoria climbed Sgurr Gaorsaic; Gordon did Sgurr an Airgid, as well as letting Sue, Chris and John accompany him on Sguman Coinntich; while Brian led Ann, Ruth, Mary and Alan on a magnificent tour over Bealach na Sroine to the foot of the Glomach Falls, then up the gorge to the tourist path home.

Next day was wet, and the house party quickly dispersed homeward. There’s nothing like a luxurious weekend of pampering and cosseting to set you up for the week ahead!

Ann Dean

Addendum

Some people were walking on the Friday - Chris E, Phyllis and John McP had travelled up on Thursday night and were joined by Allison who had come down on the bus from the Uig ferry. They climbed Sgurr an Airgid in very mixed conditions to meet on their descent Liz Maitland and Mary C on their way up after driving up from Glasgow.

On Saturday JMcP split from the group at the summit of the Saddle to complete all the tops of the Saddle and finish by walking back to the hostel.