Jacobites Mountaineering Club: September Newsletter #2

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Editor: Colm Fitzgerald

Annual Dinner

The mountaineering social event of the year with enough social cache that makes Royal Ascot look like a drunken hen night tottering down The Grassmarket will take place this coming Saturday. The Club's annual dinner will be held on Saturday the 3rd of October at the Inchree Centre, beyond Onich north of Glencoe almost opposite the Corran Ferry (http://www.inchreecentre.co.uk/index.htm). Tickets cost 30 pounds each and are on sale from the Social Secretaries Lindsay and John who will be at The Cumberland on Thursday (social@jacobitesmc.co.uk). The event starts with drinks at 6:30pm for a 7:30 start of the main event. There will be a ceilí afterwards. There is no dress code; if you wish to wear that sharp designer suit, kilt or that eyebrow raising risque black number that Liz Hurley herself would think twice about getting into then this is your opportunity. If you want to come along in regular apparel than you are more than welcome.

The centre has accommodation on site. All their private rooms (twins and triples) are now fully booked. The centre still has plenty of bed spaces available in the 3 group bedrooms.Contact details for the centre are 01855 821287 and stay@inchreecentre.co.uk. Please mention that you are part of the Jacobites.

There are some Bed and Breakfasts nearby as well:

Keil View (50 metre walk from our Four Seasons Pub & Restaurant.) Tel: 01855 821077
Glen Devin Guest House (75 metre walk from Four Seasons) Tel: 01855 821330
Forester's Bungalow (150 metre walk from Four Seasons) Tel: 01855 821287
Corran Bunkhouse (300 metre walk from Four Seasons.) Tel:01855 821000
Lochview Guest House (300 metre walk from Four Seasons) Tel: 01855 821086

Blackrock Cottage, Glencoe, October 16-18th

The next meet will be held at what is probably the most photographed hut in Scotland namely Blackrock Cottage in Glencoe. You may find yourself on the next Colin Prior calender. The hut is located here and is only a couple of hours from Edinburgh (provided you can get the turbocharger spinning at maximum output after Lix Toll on the A82/85 and caravans have the good manners to absent themselves from the route on Friday evening). It has all the necessary amenities for a civilised weekend in the mountains: electicity, cooking facilities, utensils, microwave, toilet and even such luxury as individual beds with mattresses and pillows; sleeping bags are required. It costs a recession-proof six pounds per person per night.

With a whole SMC guidebook dedicated to Glencoe and its surrounding area, climbers have a huge choice to pick from. Buachaille Etive Mor offers many routes of all grades. Slab climbing aficionados can head to Etive Slabs. Munro baggers have about twenty mountains to select from. There is plenty of good quality scrambling in Glencoe as well.

Tiso Discount Night

Tiso are holding their winter discount nights on Tuesday 27th October and Tuesday 3rd November at their Rose Street branch (6:30pm to 8:30). This could be the first time in economic history that a national economy works its way out of recession spearheaded by mountaineering gear spending. There is 20% off mountaineering gear specifically helmets, ropes, axes, hardware and harnesses. Clothing, rucsacs, sleeping bags, boots and shoes will be reduced by 15% while GPS systems, maps and books attract a reduction of 10%. There is no eligibility criterion so friends, family and colleagues are welcome.

Although they do not themselves draw attention to it, it is possible to go into Tiso during the weeks preceding the discount nights and set aside a basket of the items you wish to purchase. This is especially useful if you want to try footwear on as it does get quite crowded on these nights. Climbing hardware tends to be snapped up quite quickly. On the evening, stroll in past the ruck that would make the Munster front row blanche in fear and pick up your items at the customer service desk.

Glen Feshie Bridge

For any one planning a walk up Glen Feshie the Carnachuain bridge was swept away earlier in September. This may have a bearing on your plans. The Pony Bridge is now the last crossing in upper Glen Feshie and the Estate has put signs indicating this on the approach route. It is hoped to be repaired by next summer.

If you have anything of a mountaineering nature you wish to have distributed to members please forward it to the Editorial Desk (newsletter@jacobitesmc.co.uk) and it will be considered for publication.