Yes folks, it’s that time again, Scotch and Wry, Jackie Bird, Still Game, Jonathan Watson, Review of the Year, Johnny Beattie, Rev IM Jolly, cancelled street parties though no matter how bad the weather the annual end of year bash is always a great way of seeing out the old and bringing in the new. This time around 47 Glenmorons descended upon Morag’s Lodge in Fort Augustus for the big celebrations.

As well as all the usual stuff like actually going out and tramping up hills, there was a variety of in-house entertainment to keep us busy at night including the traditional country dancing, John D's disco and for the very first time...a karaoke session, I kid you not.

Most people arrived early evening on the Saturday allowing ample time to explore downtown Fort Augustus, which for most of us meant partaking of the odd refreshment or two in establishments like The Bothy, a superb bar/diner with an excellent restaurant, great food at modest prices and very friendly bar staff hey, they even sold Beer as well.

As ever new year with the Glenmore Club wouldn't be the same without the Ceilidh. However, you know something's afoot when Harrold is touting for 'SEVEN more couples please’. Due to limited space the dance floor did become quite crowded at times which made for a very entertaining Dashing White Sergeant though everybody had a great time, especially those guests of Club members who were experiencing their first ever new year with us. Even I, managed Strip the Willow without cocking it up so I guess this jigging malarkey is growing on me. Thanks as ever to H for his organisation and never ending enthusiasm.

Now I know you've all heard of high performance gear but it really is quite amazing the standard of outdoor garments ( or boots ) currently on sale at your local Tiso retailer. On new years day my meandering Mantas decided to take a hike all by themselves before mysteriously re-appearing back in the drying room after a good days sojourn on the mountain. The smart word on the streets is that they may have made it all the way to the Cluanie Inn and back, so yes, folks, it really is quite remarkable the progress they've made with all this hi-tech stuff.

Even more bizarre was the club's first venture into the world of sing-a-long.....in other words Karaoke.

This took place on the last night of our stay and proved a surprise hit after John D and myself managed to rig up the sound system after much footering about. In no time at all the bar lounge began to fill up and let me tell you there are quite a few budding Mariah Carey's out there and that was just the blokes. Seriously though everybody had a great time and we all crooned away into the wee small hours so I reckon we may not have seen or heard the last of this. Of course I'd like to take the opportunity to say that I do have some video footage of the proceedings and if certain people should care to contact me (for a fee of course) I shall make every endeavour to destroy all incriminating evidence.

And what's all this got to do with the hills I hear you ask......ah, I knew there was something I forgot to mention. Sifting thought the (mostly) illegible route cards (didn't realize there were so many doctors in the Club) a great variety of walks were undertaken in the damp conditions varying from low level forest trails to Grahams, Corbett and even the odd Munro. Some of the hills summited or attempted include Carn Ghlusaid ,Am Chuilinn, Meall An Carsaid, Am Bathach, Sron a Choire Ghairbh, Cairn Vingie,Toll Creagach, Tom a Choinnich and of course for the less energetic (or hungover) the Great Glen Way. Our party drove the miles over to Cluanie to tackle Beinn Loinne, and despite the incessant downpour braved the appalling conditions to eventually reach the snowline where the flakes cascaded down all around us producing about 3 inches of the white stuff in little over an hour. The following day we tramped up Corrieairack pass (in my trainers) to Blackburn Bothy which afforded great views over to distant Corrieairack Hill ,seemingly miles and miles away but which was in fact summited by the Deans family that very day.

As for the weather it was generally wet with rain down in the village and snow on high ground though let's hope the warm wet wild windy woeful winter conditions thus far give way to more settled conditions and some decent snowfall.

The Hostel itself was very relaxed with spacious communal areas and en suite rooms and in general a very pleasant venue. If you've never experienced a Glenmore new year then why not come along next time, you never know, you might like it.

Happy New Year folks

Dave B