To paraphrase Julius Caesar, this meet could be briefly described in Latin as Venimus,
pluviit, discessimus (we came, it rained we went). But that would not tell the whole story.
Despite the trials and tribulations of possibly the least encouraging weather ever on a SWM
and the absence of a barrel of beer (don’t blame the meet leader!) 16 intrepid souls
maintained the honour of CMC by venturing into the wilds of the Torridonian Highlands.
Rich Fahy, Andy Lafferty and Malcolm Barr kicked things off a day early with a round over
Fuar Tholl discovering an absence of the white stuff virtually everywhere. People got going
on the Sunday with 2 parties of 4 getting a round in over Beinn Alligein and its Horns. Party 1
(Martin Astley, Malcolm, James McDowell and Jon Clarke) led the way with James keen to
try out his new drone. At a quiet spot on the ridge James launched the same only for a
sudden gust to take it to new stratospheric highs and lost to humanity. Having sent back a
picture of the passing Space Station the drone duly resettled to earth downed – no doubt –
by a responsive Eurofighter from RAF Kinloss having been deemed suspiciously intrusive in
the current world turmoil. Subsequent attempts (by Mark Whelan) to retrieve it from its last
recorded location proved futile.
Party 2 (John Buckle, Richard Barker, Lee Cresswell and Nev Croston) also completed the
round getting some decent views in from the summit after the classic scramble over the
Horns in dry conditions. Meanwhile Phil Moore and Martin Clayton completed the Northern
Pinnacles on Liathach –albeit not in real winter conditions still a tough classic scramble with
some thoughtful moments by all accounts.
Sunday marked the end of any settled weather spell and we were subjected to 4 days of
stormy weather with high winds discouraging any high level activity. Some attempts were
made though. Phil and Martin went looking for Beinn Dearg in the mist but couldn’t find a
satisfactory route given the conditions. Similarly John, Richard B, Lee and Nev had to
abandon an attempt on a couple of Corbetts on the south side of the glen. Nobby attempted
the Munro Maol Chean-dearg only to find his way blocked by streams in spate too risky to
cross. Alternative excursions were made by parties along the coast towards Red Point and
Craig bothy; or around the local headlands – by foot or bike; to Coire Mhic Fhearchair
(Scotland’s most scenic?); around the back of Liathach; and – one of the best short walks in
the Highlands for scenery – around Lochs Coulin and Claire.
An excellent communal meal (venison stew) was prepared for Tuesday evening by our in
house chefs Martin Astley and Paul Watson with Paul’s market garden produce naturally
featuring. As usual there was a high culinary standard being set with Richard Barkers’
Lemon Meringue pie and Bakewell Tart worthy of note and attracting the attention of the
hostel warden Sarah so ensuring a hospitable relationship with our hosts, despite earlier
differences over the potential presence of beer barrels (we’d been permitted one on our
previous visit). As it was, this time round there was actually youth in the Youth Hostel so no
beer on tap was a sensible result.
Thursday was declared an official ‘Festering Day’ with a mass outing to the Inn at
Applecross for a meal. This involved a round trip around the coast and over the Bealach na
Ba (not quite Britain’s highest at 626m (2054ft) with opportunities for wildlife spotting which
included seals, cormorants and Instagrammers partaking of the new lochside sauna. A

bonus was the self service – community run – petrol pump which had fuel at pre-Iranian
crisis levels – useful for the long drive home unless you were an unperturbed Richard Barker
with his new EV.
By Friday the sustained inclement weather meant some were heading off early. Those who
remained were rewarded with great views in the occasional breaks that occurred in the
repeated short storms that kept coming in. In return they came back ravaged and sand
blasted by the hail but buoyed by the feeling of a ‘tour de force’ that only winter day can give.
Attendees: Rich Fahy, Mark Whelan, Malcolm Barr, Andy Lafferty, Martin Astley, James
MacDowell, Paul Watson, John Buckle, Nev Croston, Phil Moore, Martin Clayton, Jon
Clarke, Martin Bell, Nobby Wright, Lee Cresswell, and Richard Barker (still in Darlington with
Laura in the queue for the EV charger at the last count…)