GLASGOW GLENMORE CLUB NEWSLETTER FEBRUARY 2003

 

Editorial

Curtilage:I am sure I have discussed it without knowing that there was a specific word for it. This term, introduced in February’s edition of The Scottish Mountaineer (vis-à-vis the forthcoming Scottish Outdoor Access Code), is defined in my Chambers dictionary as "a court or area of land attached to and including a dwelling house".

May the new season’s programme lure you on many good walks and may you have many robust debates on curtilage along the way!

 

 

GGC Anniversary Book

"……first to arrive was sausage bag"……………"dawn reveille on the pipes"……

Who went off without his boots on more than one occasion?………..Who has the worst handwriting in the logbook?……………Which hostel played Beethoven's Fifth non stop all weekend?……….Who was found sleeping in the sun behind a rock?

Answers and explanations to these and many more will be found in the forthcoming anniversary book. First drafts of articles are beginning to emerge from what appears to be an impossibly large pile of documents.

As well as text we hope to include a number of photographs and we have a number of gaps to fill, so we would ask EVERYONE to look out their best half dozen pictures of members, or places. Scottish scenery is not required, but photos from any of the overseas trips welcome. Slides or prints accepted, and no excuse if some of your prints have faded or are damaged: the negatives will give a better image.

NOTE ACTION ALL.

Watch this space for further news.

Anniversary Book Committee (Colin, Harrold, John, Caroline, Connie) (no significance in the order, just the way they fell out of my head!).

Colin Farrow

 

 

SPRING PROGRAMME

March Co-ordinator - Gordon Dykes 0141- 959 2217

Thursday 6th March - Badminton - Scotstoun Leisure Centre

We have booked three courts and assorted equipment at Scotstoun leisure centre for this extravaganza. The venue has yet to be confirmed as the council have yet to accept their new Badminton Academy. The courts are booked from 7.30 – 9.30pm. If there is any change I will post it on the message board.

It seems inappropriate to have a meal beforehand but there is a bar on the site, or Isobel lives over the road for a party.

Sunday 16th March - Killin - OS 51 GR 575 333

The first decision is to go via Loch Lomond side or Callander. Then, do you need the public convenience? Then, which hill to climb? The choice is vast. Prime winter conditions are possible but then again so is rain and wind.

Thursday 20th March - Garrey & Rosemary- Light Weight over the Pyrenees – Wellington Church Hall, 7.30pm for 8pm

The meal will be at the Ashoka Ashton Lane at 6pm.

Our very own light weight pair (not Garrey’s intellect) will educate us on the best kit to take on a 70 day traverse of a major mountain range. Gasp in awe of his Go-lite sack. Be amazed by the tent, laugh at the jokes.

Fri 28th – Sun 30th March - The Laird’s Bunkhouse, Kingussie (on the main road, behind "The Tipsy Laird"!)

HARROLD: You are beaten. It is useless to resist. Don't let yourself be destroyed as Obi-McDaid did.

Malcolm answers by rolling sideways and thrusting his sword at Harrold so viciously that he nicks Harrold on the shoulder. The black armour sparks and smokes and Harrold seems to be hurt, but immediately recovers. Malcolm backs off along the narrow end of the gantry as Harrold comes at him, slashing at the young Jedi with his sword. Malcolm makes a quick move around the instrument complex attached to the end of the gantry. Harrold’s sword comes slashing down, cutting the complex loose; it begins to fall, then is caught by the rising wind and blown upward. Malcolm glances at the instrument complex floating away. At that instant, Harrold's sword comes down across Malcolm's right forearm, cutting off his hand and sending his sword flying. In great pain, Malcolm squeezes his forearm under his left armpit and moves back along the gantry to its extreme end. Harrold follows. The wind subsides. Malcolm holds on. There is nowhere else to go.

HARROLD: There is no escape. Don't make me destroy you. You do not yet realise your importance. You have only begun to discover you power. Join me and I will complete your training. With our combined strength, we can end this destructive conflict and bring order to the Glenmore.

MALCOLM: I'll never join you!

HARROLD: If you only knew the power of the dark side. Obi-McDaid never told you what happened to your father.

MALCOLM: He told me enough! He told me you killed him.

HARROLD: No. I am your father.

Shocked, Malcolm looks at Harrold in utter disbelief.

MALCOLM: No. No. That's not true! That's impossible!

HARROLD: Search your feelings. You know it to be true.

MALCOLM: No! No! No!

HARROLD: Malcolm. You can destroy the Emperor. He has foreseen this. It is your destiny. Join me, and we can rule the Glenmore as father and son. Come with me. It's the only way.

Harrold puts away his sword and holds his hand out to Malcolm. A calm comes over Malcolm, and he makes a decision. In the next instant he steps off the gantry platform into space. The Dark Lord looks over the platform and sees Malcolm falling far below. The wind begins to blow at Harrold's cape and the torrent finally forces him back, away from the edge. The wind soon fades and the wounded Jedi begins to drop fast, unable to grab onto anything to break his fall.

Well we can’t promise the same level of excitement as this excerpt from the forthcoming Munro Wars part 3:- A new top. However it’s the winter, we have the bunkhouse in Kingussie so let’s go to work.

Queue the credits etc…

£10.00 per person per night. All money is to be paid in advance.

 

April Co-ordinator John MacLean 0141 – 423 8776

Sunday 6th April - Crieff OS 52 GR 866223

Meet at entrance gate to Crieff Hydro @ 09h30. Adventures include Corbetts like Auchnafree Hill ( with a possible diversion to view the Falls of Turret ), or Creag Uchdag from Glen Lednock. For the bold there are the hideous steeps and vasty deeps of the Pinnacle Ridge of Ben Chonzie thrusting its rocky fangs to the firmament --- or not, as the case may be; mustn’t oversell…..

Thurs April 10 – Mountain Bothies Association – 7.30 for 8pm, Wellington Church Hall

Admit it – for every bothy evolving its own unique lifeforms you have personal favourites - is it Camasunary? Sourlies? Shenavall? - I know a wee beaut on Mull and, no, I’m saying nothing – find yer ain. Come and hear the latest, and how our ex (Gorton ) is getting on.

Fri 18th – Mon 21st April - Lairg : Dunroamin Caravan Park OS16 GR 586063

Sharing caravans with TV, fridge, utensils, duvets, & general bedding ( whoopee – that sort of weekend !! ) , but bring own sheets, pillow cases & towels. Comfy! Possible Munros include Ben Wyvis & the Far North. Lots of Corbetts – Carn Chuinneag, the Ben Griams, Ben Hee perhaps - use your imagination, you’re Glenmorons – read a map !

 

May Co-ordinator - Sue Johnston 0141 959 2217 s_johnston_uk@yahoo.com

Due to logistical problems we are unable to arrange Knoydart for the first long May weekend as originally advertised in the draft programme. We will try and re-arrange this for next year. Instead we are planning a long weekend in Poolewe – see below

Fri 2nd – Mon 5th May - Poolewe OS 19 GR 862811

Come and explore the beautiful and remote Corbetts and Munros in this area. It is possible to walk from the campsite to the north side of Loch Maree and Beinn Airigh Charr and Beinn Lair (Corbetts). Alternatively Fisherfield and An Teallach aren’t too far away.

We are staying at the Inverewe Gardens campsite, Poolewe. This is a Camping and Caravan Club site, the entrance is off the main coast road (A832).

Please book with the campsite direct 01445 781249 (no calls after 8 pm)

Thursday 8th May - AGM - 7.30 for 8pm, Wellington Church Hall

The usual format – with reports on the past year from the Chairman, Treasurer and Membership Secretary. Dave Watson and Sue Johnston will both be standing down from the committee this year. Dave Webster is willing to stand again, but has completed his 3 years, as treasurer so can not stand for this post again. Brian McDaid; Caroline Thompson; Gordon Dykes; Alice Mitchell; John MacLean and Mary Cunningham are all willing to stand again.

Fri 23rd – Mon 26th May - Portnalong, Skye OS 32 350350 (approx)

This comfortable bunkhouse sleeps 36; we have booked 26 beds. Bedding etc provided. The address is The Old School House, Fiscavaig Road, Portnalong IV47 8SL. Cost £25 for the 3 nights. Please make your payment to Sue by the 10 May. Cheques made out to Glasgow Glenmore Club.

It is possible that a few people will be able to camp behind the hostel. If you camp, you can use the toilets in the hostel, but not the kitchen. Please let Sue know if you intend to camp.

 

June Co-ordinator Dave Webster 0141 956-1882 or 07831 747250

Sunday 8th June 2003 – Glen Creran - OS 50 GR 035489

Meet in the Car Park at Elleric at the end of the tarred road up Glen Creran at the usual 9.30am time. Ben Sgulaird (or possibly a connoisseur’s western approach to Ben Fhionnlaidh) beckons for Munro baggers. Corbetters have the delights of Creach Bheinn to look forward to.

Friday 20th June – Sunday 22st June 2003 – Muir of Inverey OS43 GR 076 896

Once again we’ve booked the Cairngorm Club Hut at Inverey. Cost £13 for the two nights. There are only 18 places. I’d appreciate your money ASAP. Cheques to me will book your bed.

 

Club Website www.glasgowglenmore.org.uk

The website continues to develop. The Stop Press is being removed and an edited version of the Newsletter will be placed in the public area. The Logbook will continue to be password protected.

We are receiving regular enquiries about membership from this source, although few new members so far. It offers an excellent shop window for potential members to find out more about us.

John McPartlin is keen to receive more photographs from members to post on the website. These help to give prospective members an insight into the club activities and members a chance to enjoy the exploits of others. If your medium is slides, Garrey is willing to scan these for us.

 

 

 Scottish Wild Land Group

Scotland’s Wild Land – What Future?

This is the name of a 36 page publication produced by the Scottish Wild Land Group. In it, ten leading writers (Martin F. Price, Nigel Hawkins, Dave Hewitt et al ) offer a range of perspectives on the relevance of wild land and our relationship to it, and their views on how we should secure its future. Fiona Anderson has donated a copy of this to our club library. Contact Gill Cook if you wish to see/borrow it.

Alternatively you may purchase your own copy from John Digney, Creagmhor Lodge, Lochard Rd, Aberfoyle, Stirling, FK8 3TD. Price £5.00 (including p&p).

www.swlg.org.uk

 

 

Mountain Bothies Association - December 2002 Newsletter.

After some problems, M.B.A. now have all senior officers in place, with John Arnott now replacing Colin Scales as Chairman. As well as the usual updating about conditions of bothies and maintenance of them, there were a number of amusing articles about personal visits to various bothies.

Other items of interest were:

Lyme disease, spread by ticks, can be dangerous [sometimes fatal]. If you develop flu-like symptoms after being attacked by ticks, check with your GP. Some tips are given both for avoiding tick-bites and for action if bitten.

MBA would be grateful for donations of slides or drawings for Christmas cards or 2004 calendars.

GGC members who know Glenpean bothy [west of Loch Arkaig] will be pleased to know that its future as an open bothy is secure, thanks to the generous donation of the small parcel of land on which it stands to the newly-formed Glenpean Bothy Trust.

Scottish Rights of Way and Access Society (Scotways) - Annual Report for year ending 30 June 2002

Annual reports by various officers included Scotways’ substantial input to the Land Reform Act, progress with signposting, funding received, future policy and a full list of present corporate members. Scotways walks programme, Feb - Sept 2003, is given (usually organised with bus, allowing people to do ‘through’ routes). Book reviews included a new book published by Lonely Planet, ‘Walking in Scotland’, which is recommended for its excellent, geographical coverage, although there are minor criticisms. Included with the report is a large, comprehensive list of maps (OS and Harvey’s), guides and publications, which are available from Scotways bookshop – a number with large price reductions (order form included). A selection of Scotways leisurewear is also available on order.

The above publications are, as usual, available from the Club librarian, Gill Cook.

Harrold Thomson

 

Membership News

· John & Enid McPartlin have moved back to their permanent address.

· Good wishes to Ken Wotherspoon who had a double by-pass operation in December. Ken is making a steady recovery.

· Congratulations to Dave Harrison on compleating his Munros on Schiehallion in January 2003

 

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