GLASGOW GLENMORE CLUB NEWSLETTER SPRING 2006

A very happy, if belated, New Year to all Glenmorons - may all your plans for 2006 go well and please be careful, wherever you venture. The hazards on some of our closest and best-loved hills were sadly brought home with the news - via an e-mail circulated to members by David Harrison - of the tragic death in January of a hill walker near Succoth, who fell down a 10m deep rock fissure. We have a day meet in the Arrochar area on 12^th February, so ‘gang warily.’

On a more cheerful note, January’s meets got the year off to a memorable start - a superb NY meet at Inchnadamph, an impromptu organised members slide evening when we were inadvertently locked out of the church hall ( apologies to all concerned), a great day on the Pentland Hills followed by generous hospitality from Roger and Ann Dean at their home, the whisky evening with 6 malts for everyone (! ) and finally another marvellous Burns Supper weekend … unfortunately not everyone who wanted to attend could do so and for next year we are booked into a venue which can take over 50, so hopefully there will be no waiting list. However, with so much enthusiasm for weekend meets, and to try and be as fair as possible with bookings, new booking arrangements are described overleaf, to apply in the first instance only to meets detailed in this newsletter.

Henry

Well here we are in 2006 with the last phase of the season under way. I hope you find the programme appealing and enjoy the meets you attend.

At the last committee meeting several members of the committee intimated their intention to stand down for a variety of reasons. This means we will be looking for four or five people to come on at this year’s AGM. If you are interested please speak to a member of the committee or even a previous member to find out more about what is involved.

Ordinary committee members are expected to organise the indoor and outdoor meets for a specific month. However, experienced members will always be happy to give you a hand and to offer advice if you feel you need it. So please give it consideration.

Gordon

In view of the high demand for places on some weekend meets, and in order to allocate these fairly in response to enquiries, the following arrangements will be introduced for the weekend meets in this newsletter:

The cooperation of members with these arrangements will be appreciated. The AGM in May will give the opportunity for feedback and guidance to the new committee for the 2006-2007 season. And, as with recent newsletters, hard copies will be posted out in advance of electronic issue so that all members receive theirs at about the same time (sorry, the editor cannot guarantee even the post or the reliability of IT ! )

Members will recall that in the last newsletter Gordon said that new procedures of the use of Club equipment would be trialled before this year’s AGM. For the outdoor meets in this newsletter, a form will be completed at outdoor meets for the issue and return of equipment so that we have a record of its use and, importantly, to record any damage that items may have suffered or to note any problems encountered. This is intended to reassure members using Club equipment that is being properly cared for and also that the Club is adopting an appropriate duty of care in making the equipment available for members.

In order to help the coordinator for the month, members who anticipate the need to use Club equipment are asked to intimate this in advance, and the outdoor meet ‘booking sheet’ will in future include a column for this purpose. Those members not using the sheet should inform the coordinator of their request to use Club equipment when making their booking for a weekend, or advise the coordinator before a day meet.

Feedback on the effectiveness of the new arrangements will be provided at the AGM in May with the opportunity for discussion and providing guidance to the new committee on how to carry this matter forward.

( Note : all indoor meets start at 7.30 pm in Wellington Church Hall, Southpark Avenue)

Brian will be taking us to Greenland and telling us about his adventures by kayak, climbing and ski-ing, so if you have any unanswered questions about the world’s biggest island, then this is the meet for you!

Pre-meeting meal at the Shish Mahal restaurant, Park Road, at 6.00pm - please let Kate know if you are planning to join the party there.

Meet at 0930 in the small car park at above GR. From the Kingshouse Hotel drive along Loch Voil side for approx 11km, the car park is on the left. A good variety of hills in this area, both Munros and Corbetts. Afterwards for the thirsty, meet in the Monachyle Mhor hotel (halfway up the glen, above the road) for drinks or pub meal.

Please note this is not the main March weekend but the second of this season’s small meets, on trial as an alternative to the day meet. The above sleeping car is part of the heritage rolling stock collection, at Glenfinnan Station Museum. It has been converted into unique and comfortable, self catering accommodation, sleeping a total of ten. The Club has booked the ten places at a cost of £11 pp per night. Bring your own sleeping bag and towels. If you wish to go to this special area, you are advised to move fast. Meals are also available in an adjacent restaurant car and provided all ten wish to eat there it can be booked for dinner on the Saturday night. To reserve a place, contact Kate Stewart, by email or telephone, immediately followed by cheque made out to Glasgow Glenmore Club.

This evening you are invited to explore Glasgow the lazy way. Have a seat in comfort and let a well known architect take you on a tour of many of Glasgow’s special buildings. If you have often wondered which architect designed your favourite building or which one to blame for some monstrosity why not come along and find out.

If you have never visited or walked in the lovely Lake District, out of season, with room to roam now is your chance. The club has booked 28 places in Borrowdale Youth Hostel in two and four bedded rooms, much easier to avoid the snorers. Borrowdale enjoys a reputation as the most beautiful valley in the Lake District but there’s only one way to find out. There’s plenty of scope for both high and low level walking. The great fells such as Dale Head, Great Gable and Scafell Pike are readily accessible. Also Castle Crag and Kings How, if you prefer the lower fells.

The hostel provides meals, if required, or you may self cater. I will book a communal meal for the Saturday night for those who wish, please indicate when you send your cheque if you wish to join in the group meal also if you require vegetarian or any other special diet.

The cost is £34 pp for the two nights, please send cheques to Kate Stewart and as always made out to the Glasgow Glenmore Club.

Peter is the RSPB's Conservation Officer for Lothian and Borders. He will be telling us about the birds likely to be seen on Scottish hills above about 450-600m and where and when they may be found, along with tips on identification and current issues related to mountain birdlife. His talk will thus be a great opportunity to improve your knowledge of mountain birds and so make your days on the hill that bit more rewarding!  Peter is a hill-walker who then got into birds, so speaks from first-hand knowledge, gained by peching up hills on a regular basis.

Pre-meeting meal, 6 pm at Di Maggios, Gibson Street. Please let Henry know if you want to come.

For Easter we are heading to the heart of the Cairngorms and Royal Deeside. It’s a great location for the hills and there may even be a decent covering of snow on the high tops to add some spice to the longer days of spring. We have reserved 30 beds, so don’t delay in making your booking – cost is £42 and cheques please to Henry and made out to Glasgow Glenmore Club.

Thursday 20^th April Colin and Monica Farrow: Cycling the Rhine – from Sea to Source.

Take one river (long), three Farrows, six wheels, eight tyres, two tents, minimal lightweight clothing. Heat gently 20 -25C before increasing to +30C. Chill less than 5C and remove from source. Allow to mature whilst collecting over £1100 sponsorship. Serve with suitable relish to unsuspecting Glenmorons.

Hors-d'oeuvre at Di Maggios, Ruthven Lane at 6pm.

Following last year’s successful meet here, we are back again with exclusive use of this bunkhouse (which can be viewed on the website below). Situated on the shores of Loch Harport, the accommodation comprises 24 places, two rooms of six, three rooms with four bunks and a fully equipped kitchen. Cost for the three nights is £30 - same as last year!Travel across the toll-free Skye Bridge and take the A850 to Sligachan then take the A863 and six miles further on Carbost is signposted on the B8009. Cheques please to Henry, made out to Glasgow Glenmore Club.

The Old Inn is a matter of yards away and can provide breakfasts if booked. We may want to arrange an evening meal - served in the hotel, cost around £12/£15 for 2/3 courses respectively - numbers need confirming 2 weeks beforehand when menu will be available.

The Old Inn will also do bed and breakfast at £30 pppn and if you wish to take this route it would probably be best to contact them directly. (Tel: 1478 640 205 or visit at www.carbost.f9.co.uk )

Camping is available at Glen Brittle and is marked on the OS map.

Most of you will have come to Carbost to visit the Talisker Distillery but for those who wish to go on the hill access to the Cuillin Ridge can be made from Glen Brittle.

The AGM is the annual business meeting of the Club: an occasion to look back on the last year and forward to the next – when members can contribute views, make suggestions and generally play their part in taking the Club forward. Please do make the effort to come along – we usually have an excellent attendance, and this year it’s especially important because in electing the committee for the 2006-2007 session, 5 of the present 9 committee members are likely not to stand in the election – Kate Stewart, Hugh Bourhill, Liz Maitland, Arthur Whittaker and Bill McIntyre. So, as Gordon says in the opening part of this newsletter, please think about standing in the election and having the opportunity to play your part in the running of the Club.

Papers for the AGM will be sent out in early April, along with the Membership Renewal form for completion by members, to be sent to the membership secretary along with their cheque, membership card and sae.

Meet at 0930 in the Kingshouse car park. How long is it since you did Curved Ridge or the Aonach Eagach?

http://www.barisdale.com/

10 places have been booked. A ferry has also been booked leaving Kinlochourn (GR 750250) at 7pm on the Friday and returning at 10am on Monday from Barisdale (£15 per person each way if we fill the boat). Please send me a cheque for £70 (payable to Glasgow Glenmore Club) per person for the whole package. People opting out of the ferry will make it more expensive for those who wish to use it, so I will not take bookings for anything less than the full package. However, if you give me advanced notice that you do not wish to use the ferry (please specify which direction(s)), I will endeavour to seek a reduction and give refunds.

Accommodation is arranged on two floors and comprises: Ground Floor; Hall, Bathroom, Kitchen/Diner, Sitting Room. First Floor; 3 bedrooms - sleeping is on 12** bunks with mattresses. The kitchen is equipped with a gas oven. Eating and cooking utensils are provided, lighting is by candle if the diesel generator is not working. There is one coal burning stove in the kitchen which heats the hot water supply and an open fire in the sitting room. Coal, fire lighters and candles can be purchased from the estate.

** I am assured that 12 is very crowded. Hence the booking for 10,

http://www.nts.org.uk/web/site/home/holidays/accommodation/basecamp/Kintail_Outdoor_Centre.asp?NavPage=271&NavId=2166

20 places have been booked at £12 pppn. Please send me a cheque for £36 (payable to Glasgow Glenmore Club) per person for the 3 nights.

Facilities include a fully equipped kitchen, lounge with wood-burning stove, dining room, drying room and laundry.   Washer/drier, facilities for outdoor drying, colour TV, VCR, radio, payphone, microwave, freezer, dogs not allowed, no smoking.

http://www.mech.gla.ac.uk/~donald/JMCS/Coruisk.html#location

9 places have been booked. I am also trying to book a ferry leaving Elgol at 8pm on the Friday and returning at 10am on Monday from Coruisk (£14 per person each way if we fill the boat). Please send me a cheque for £56 (payable to Glasgow Glenmore Club) per person for the whole package. People opting out of the ferry will make it more expensive for those who wish to use it, so I will not take bookings for anything less than the full package. However, if you give me advanced notice that you do not wish to use the ferry (please specify which direction(s)), I will endeavour to seek a reduction and give refunds.

Coruisk Memorial Hut is situated on the Island of Skye at the head of Loch Scavaig, close to where the River Scavaig flows the few hundred metres from Loch Coruisk to the Sea. It is about 100m from a new landing stage in Loch na Cuilce (off Loch Scavaig). The building is self contained and sleeps 9 persons in bunks within the main room. Sleeping bags are required although there are a number of blankets. Power is supplied by bottled gas that serves the cookers, lights and new stove. Both the flush toilet and the kitchen sink are served by a water pipe running from a nearby burn. All pots, pans, crockery, cutlery, etc. are also provided. (Only sleeping bags, clothing and food are required.)

These are on the 1^st and 3^rd Thursday evenings and to allow for some overlap with the summer newsletter, here are the dates for June and July:

The Bon Accord is on North Street, close by the Mitchell Library. It provides a good opportunity to keep in touch with other members and plan a few extra outings, so why not turn up from 9 pm onwards.

Winter Newsletter

The issue of the MBA Newsletter commemorates 40 years of the MBA, which began in 1965 with the renovation of Tunskeen bothy in the Borders.

This special issue includes, as well as the usual news of bothy conditions and renovations in all areas, much of historical interest over the last 40 years, including:

As usual, this MBA newsletter is highly recommended reading and is available on loan from the Club Librarian, Connie Thomson.

This has been decided as Cortina in the Eastern Dolomites.

On a recommendation of Roger Dean we have decided to base ourselves at the "Camping Dolomiti" Campsite. Check this link to the website for details and prices - http://www.campeggiodolomiti.it.

Once we have an idea of numbers likely to go we will make contact to try and arrange a Club area on the site - with that in mind could I ask everyone intending to go to let me know as soon as possible.

In the meantime the most important thing if you are intending going by air is to get your cheap flights as soon as possible - like now!

My investigations so far:

The best place to fly to would appear to be Venice although you may have to make your first and/or last night in Venice. Thereafter there is very good transport by Rail/bus to Cortina.

After an intensive search of the web for flights I have concluded that possibilities are endless for cheap flights - if you are prepared to really look around and be very flexible with dates then you squeeze it down quite low.

I summarise below a feel for my investigations assuming a leave on Friday 30^th June and return on Monday 17^th July.

From http://www.lastminute.com - £202 from Glasgow to Venice with one stop.

From http://www.expedia.co.uk - £218 from Glasgow to Venice with one stop.

From http://www.onlinetravel.com - £202.60 From Glasgow to Venice with 1 stop.

From expedia Glasgow to Gatwick shuttle £82 - and http://www.easyjet.com - £80-130 depending on date and time combinations chosen Gatwick to Venice.

Seems to be some choices here - a couple of examples:

http://www.ostellionline.org/ostello.php?idostello=236 - €19.50 B&B/P/N – this is the large HI hostel located near the center.

http://www.hostels.com/en/it.ve.html - from €22 hostel (camping village €13.50)

Rail and Bus transport

Buses are very good locally.

From Venice to Cortina travel by bus or by a combination of rail and bus - both with a frequent service. Check link http://www.dolomiti.org/dengl/Cortina/cinfo/info07.html 

e.g. Rail Venezia S.Lucia - Calalzo di Cadore then by bus to Cortina - through journey takes 3½ hrs

by Bus - through Journey takes 3¼ hrs.