Loch Ossian Youth Hostel has been a firm favourite over the years for Club weekends, and this time we were hoping for classic winter conditions in this lovely remote part of the Central Highlands. And it wasn’t just the hills that proved an attraction – it was also the Club’s first meet there since the hostel was totally refurbished in 2003 to provide ‘…arguably the most eco-friendly accommodation in the UK.. .’ according to SYHA’s website. So we were intrigued to learn more at first hand and Nick, the warden, sorry, manager, was most helpful in explaining the intricacies of the composting dry toilets, how the wind turbine and stove provided all the lighting and hot water …but he didn’t mention the protected bat colony in the roof which features on SYHA’s website. We neither heard nor saw any and that’s probably because they were happily hibernating in the roof space.

Our party numbered 16, a bit less than the 20 the hostel can accommodate. An advance party comprising John McPartlin, David Foster and Henry Perfect arrived by the mid-afternoon train from Bridge of Orchy ….useful to check out the toilets in daylight because the lighting was only just about sufficient to show whether it was on or off. Its eco-credentials required we take home all our non-compostible rubbish and that included tea bags. David thought it a good idea to dry out his to avoid having a messy rubbish bag but this wasn’t allowed, so he looked in vain for a ringer to render handle- able all used tea bags. At about 10pm the others arrived and the usual plotting of the next day’s routes began, though tempered by the almost complete absence of snow on the hills.

Saturday morning was grey and damp – first away was David Foster to Beinn na Cloiche, a pretty remote Graham between Loch Treig and Blackwater Reservoir, returning via Leum Uilleim – he summited that some time after a party comprising Tim Mason, Chris Everett, and John and Henry. Meanwhile, far to the east of the hostel, Colin and David Farrow had headed off early in the morning to take in Mullach Coire nan Nead, Beinn Eibhinn, Aonach Beag and Geal Charn. A little closer to the hostel, but still a pretty long day, Monica Farrow, Janet Gaywood, Chris Huxham, Dave Crowther and Elisabeth and John Culshaw visited Carn Dearg, Sgor Gaibhre and as a ‘wee extra’ its outlier top Meall a Bhealaich. The blend of outings for the day was completed by Roger and Ann Dean, who along with Phyllis Smith walked to Loch Treig and back, stopping at the tearoom at Corrour Station – this was an essential task in order to check out the possibility of having a meal there before getting the train back on Sunday evening. Alas, they were beaten to the tea and scones by the Leum Uilleim party, but only just.

With cloud limiting views of much note on Saturday there were hopes that Sunday would be better, and it was but not dramatically so. However, parties were away without too much delay in order to be back in good time for a meal at the station – the most important party being the Farrows who delivered the food order en route to Leum Uilleim. Surprise surprise (!) Beinn na Lap was the day’s most popular destination – John, David, Janet, Henry and Chris took in the whole ridge to return along the River Ossian and back along the Loch: the other party on the hill comprised Chris and Dave, Elisabeth and John.

Roger and Ann, and Phyllis walked round Loch Ossian paying particular attention to the recently re-built lodge by the ‘Tetrapak dynesty’ whose appearance didn’t impress anyone. Their route was a popular run for hostellers, and Nick produced the log book for John of runners from the 70’s to 90’s – your name went in if you could beat 60 minutes, and Garry Whyte made it by just a few seconds in the early 90’s when John also did several sub-hour times. And lastly, Tim followed in Roger, Ann and Phyllis’s footsteps of the previous day, to Loch Treig and back. Overall, the day gave better views than Saturday – and at least it only rained intermittently.

The weekend was nicely rounded off by a meal at 5pm at the station teahouse(daytime) and restaurant (after 7pm) and then at 6.20 pm out into the misty darkness, huddling in the tiny shelter on the platform whilst the rain swept along the platform … then a cry of relief as lights emerged from the gloom and we climbed aboard the 6.28 train. Memo – only one door to enter/exit train at Corrour – and 40 minutes later we de-trained at Bridge of Orchy, Colin and three helpers rapidly getting the sacks onto the platform whilst the rest of us scampered down the carriage to collect our belongings …. An excellent weekend!

Henry Perfect

Back to Logbook Contents Page