ATMC - An Teallach Mountaineering Club

MUIR COTTAGE, BRAEMAR 17-19 JANUARY 1992

FRIDAY Always a pleasure to return to Muir Cottage. In no time at all there was a grand heat from the stove to welcome club members "frae the airts" including the Keiller family from Stockport - a great effort with a wee baby and a mountain of haggis in the middle of winter.

We had a pleasant evening just blethering while partaking of the odd beer and a dram or two or planning the activities for the next day both on and off the hill. And still they kept coming. Could we really sleep and sit down at tables thirty-something people for the Bums' Supper on the Saturday evening. Trust Joe to solve the problem - folding tables and chairs. No not to sleep on but that would probably have been as comfortable as the floor which a few had to resort to. Who said another six from the Cairngorm club. You would think they owned the place.

SATURDAY The day dawned dry which is more than I can say for the way it ended. Overcast with cloud - (lower) level at about 3000 feet. Very little snow for the time of year. A number of parties headed for the hills near and far. The farthest, by Patsy and Rod, Majorie and Jim to Cam a' Mhaim via Derry Lodge on two bicycles would you believe and also Beinn Mheadhoin.
Jenny, Joan, Derek and lain went to Creag an Lochain and Cam Creagach via Glen Ey. Tom and Tony also went via Glen Ey to Cam Bhac and Cam an Righ Alan, Young Neil, Dave and Neil went to An Socach and Cam Bhac.
Joe, Frank, Alan and Willie went to Cam Bhac with a look at the Colonel's Bed on the way.
There was snow beds on the high ground every now and again disappearing in the mist and cloud requiring compass courses; but more interestingly was the amount of wildlife seen on the hill. Deer were seen very low down near the roadside but also well above 2000 feet so there must still have been plenty feeding for them. White mountain hares, ptarmigan, grouse and blackcock all were seen.
Down below, Louise and Mike, Mary and Sandy arrived to lend weight to Fionna, Doug, Pat and Carol who spent much of the day preparing a magnificent Burns' Supper - cock-a-leekie soup, haggis, peeps and taffies, all washed down with Atholl Brose. Alan bearing did a splendid address to the haggis and Frank surpassed himself on his toast to the Lasses. He probably wishes he could remember it himself but I can assure him he enjoyed it every bit as much as we did. Patsy and Mary's combined reply was inspired; at times attacking but humorously done. All was well controlled by our own El Presidente. After clearing the decks and dishes we still had energy enough for dancing - Strip the Willow being the most popular but there was also some good individual acts: Neil with his drum solo, Joan and Jenny on flutes and a couple of grass-skirted dancing girls prepared to give their 'all' - dancewise that is. But before long they lost their lemons and with them their sex appeal and och it was only Joe and Frank!
An individual song or two and more country dancing till late exhausted all except those who were able to stand and they surrounded Alan and his guitar taking an hour or two to get through our repertoire - what happened to "A you're Adorable" - and the drink till about two in the morning.
Who was the wee man who came in off the hill and was fed and watered and whiskied? A memorable night! As far as I can remember! SUNDAY Well what can I, say? There wasn't much movement for early starts. Did anyone get onto the hill? I think the highest point reached was probably by Frank (how does he do it) and Alan walking up Glen Quoich a few miles.
Most of us managed a low level walk in pleasant company, scenery and conditions before quietly striking our tents or was it caravanettes and heading for home.
A great weekend with many to thank the few for giving their time and effort to make it such a success
Rod Brodie