A special welcome to the 50^th anniversary year of the G.G.C! In case it has escaped your notice, Glenmorons are marking this with:

The Club started in 1954 with young people who had been on activity holidays and courses at Glenmore Lodge. Significantly, six of our current members have just returned from courses at the Lodge…………….the tradition of mountain skills training continues (even if the age of participants has doubled!)

Caroline

Sunshine, vino tinto and tagines. Photos and semi-amusing anecdotes of our recent trips to the High Atlas and the Spanish Sierra Nevada. Relive our memories of souks, wide boys, Hamish Brown and Hells Angels. Recent club activities thrown in for good measure.

Sun March 14^th – 9.30am Inverlochlarig OS 57 GR 445 185

A day meet in the heart of the Southern Highlands. Plenty to do – the Glen Falloch Munros from the South-east, perhaps or the 2^nd and 3^rd-highest tops in the area, namely Ben More and Stobinian. Let’s hope for good winter conditions. Corbetts and lesser hills abound if the weather misbehaves or for those who wish a shorter day.

Thurs March 18^th – Chris Huxham & Team – Bear Poo and Mozzie Nets ... and other Kamchatkan images, Wellington Church Hall 7.30pm for 8pm

This is the story of how 6 Glenmorons and some other chaps waved goodbye to a helicopter in the deepest Russian wilderness and lived to tell the tale.  If you want to hear about Arthur's 10 best walks in Kamchatka, Ingrid's liberating moments, how Tim turned into a pumpkin or techniques for squatting in bear and mozzie infested zones this is the talk for you.   There will of course also be some stunning volcano photos and the ship's naturalist, Malcolm, will give us the low down on things floral, faunal and geological.   (Dave Crowther, Chris Huxham, Malcolm Kennedy, Tim Mason, Ingrid Parker, Arthur Whittaker)

"He who has time must be told that all the beauty of Glenco will not be found from the road side"

Dr J. McCulloch 1824

Two super huts in the Coe in March. One could argue that this is the finest place in Scotland for winter hillwalking and climbing. And where better to be based than either of these two shrines to Scottish Mountaineering! It’s your choice:one is no better than the other – both steeped in Scottish mountain history.

Total places – 29 (Black Rock 10, Lagangarbh 19). Please send cheques with booking. Cost £12.00 for two nights.

Ray is one of Sustrans’ volunteer rangers and he’ll be talking to us a little bit about Sustrans before telling us about his birdspotting by bike. So, in the words of Bill Oddie, if you want to know ‘what’s about’ then come along on the 1^st!

All available places have now been taken at the Lodge but there is a Plan B and Plan C for those members still wanting to join the meet. There are two youth hostels in the area – Cairngorm Lodge is only 10 minutes walk away ( tel. 0871 330 8538) and 15 minutes drive away is the Aviemore hostel. Glenmore Lodge can provide meals for those staying elsewhere, including for the second option which is to camp within its grounds. There is a £3 charge per night for camping - for use of toilets and showers. Can members intending to take meals at the Lodge please tell Henry Perfect before 29^th March ( 0141 931 5962).

Here’s the opportunity to get limbered-up for the Club meet to Skye at the end of May. Meet at the Climbing Centre, 534B Paisley Road West, at 7.30 pm. Club members of the Climbing Centre will sign in non-members who can hire kit including harness/rock boots for around £10. Note :can members of the Centre please contact Henry beforehand to check on attendance in order to sign in non-members – each member can sign in two non-members, so it’s important to know who’s going beforehand . The club has around 10 members which should be enough to cover those non-members wanting to climb.

Spring should be in the air when it’s time to take a trip doon the watter. Take the bus to Sannox and meander back to Brodick over the high tops – but remember the last boat back to Ardrossan is 19.20. We plan to take the 9.45 sailing from Ardrossan, arriving Brodick at 10.40. For those who are exceptionally keen, the first boat of the day from the mainland departs at 7 am. – please tell the co-ordinator if you are taking this early-bird option. Please note – all these ferry times are based on the 2003 timetable : the summer 2004 timetable won’t be issued until later next month and if there are any changes then they will be posted on the Club’s website and announced at indoor meets.

 Fri 30^th April – Mon 3^rd May – Glen Brittle Camp Site OS 32 GR 412 206

This is an idyllic place to camp with views of the Cuillins and out to sea.

By opting for the early May weekend, we hope to avoid the midges (but will we avoid the snow?). How many people will manage the "Inn Pin" this time?

Make your own booking with the campsite (01478 640404), but please tell them that you are with the Glenmore Club.

Thurs 6^th May – A.G.M. Wellington Church Hall, 7.30pm prompt

The Club’s annual business meeting, reports from office bearers, election of next year’s committee and your chance to air your views and to make suggestions for next year’s programme.

The following committee members will not be standing for re-election:

All 25 places have been booked in the Knoydart Foundation Bunkhouse which is in the Home Farm complex, about half a mile East of Inverie.

The bunkhouse is simple, accommodation being provided in 4 bedrooms. There is only a small kitchen (1 cooker, 2 microwaves, fridge/freezer and all normal cooking utensils) and an adjoining small dining room (not room for all 25 to eat together). There are toilets and showers, but no separate male and female facilities. There is a laundry room with a washer and dryer. Please bring own sleeping bags and towels.

Given the limited facilities, please do not bring anything too ambitious to cook. Evening meals are available at the Pier House (01687 462347) and the Old Forge (01687 462267). The Pier House also does breakfasts. I will arrange to book for a group meal at the Pier House for Saturday and/or Sunday evening if you let me know your requirements when you send your cheque.

A special ferry has been booked to leave Mallaig at 8pm on Friday 28 May. 25 places have been booked on the normal ferry leaving Inverie at 11am on Monday 31 May.

To secure a place, please send Arthur a cheque for £32.00 (payable to "Glasgow Glenmore Club") to cover three nights accommodation and both ferries

June Co-ordinator Gordon Dykes 0141 – 959 2217

We have booked this superbly situated hut at the height of those long summer days. The possibilities are vast, long days are possible and probably necessary to fully experience this location.

There has been a toilet installed since the club last visited, supposedly for a visit by Prince Charles. So we can benefit from the improved facilities. The number of places in the hut is limited so early booking is advised. However, there is plenty of camping available round the hut if it is oversubscribed.

Contact Gordon Dykes to book your place. E-mail gordondykes@speed-mail.co.uk

Harris Meet, September 24^th - 27^th 2004

We have now firmed up our booking at the Scaladale Centre, Ardvourlie. We have booked 14 out of the total 28 places available which will cover all those who have expressed interest in the meet and have the option to take all the other places – in other words, we have an exclusive booking. The Centre is well equipped – visit its website at www.scaladale.co.uk for more details – roll up, folks, and let’s have a full booking !! Cost is £12 per person per night, plus £3 for bedding if you don’t take a sleeping bag. Details to follow later about the interesting logistics of getting there, so watch this space!

Henry Perfect

Weekend 29^th-30^th October.

This will be the centrepiece of the 50^th anniversary celebrations. We have booked the whole hostel for the Saturday night in order to hold a grand dinner dance. The catering will be done for us and you will need your glad rags and of course hill kit.

This will be a normal weekend meet, in that it will start on the Friday evening, but since the hostel is open as normal please make your own booking for this night, although I doubt it will be necessary at this time of year.

The Reel Thing have been booked to lead the dancing afterwards and it is intended to reach as many former members as possible in order to make this a celebration to remember.

Book your place now with Gordon Dykes. Email – gordondykes@speed-mail.co.uk