For more information about the trip and to check availability, please contact goepfertkarenATyahooDOTcom.
Monday, 19 May 2025
Scotland 2025: Onich (near Glen Coe)!!!
We are pleased to announce that plans for the annual SWC Scottish trip are afoot for the week of 19 May 2025 to 26 May 2025 (Monday to Monday)! We have secured a collection of small chalets in Onich with views of Loch Linnhe. This location is roughly midway between Fort William and Glen Coe so has access to a wide range of hill walks. For more information on walks in the area, see Glencoe and Kinlochleven walks (Walkhighlands) and Fort William and Glen Nevis walks (Walkhighlands).
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Greetings from Scotland! Apologies for the delay in posting any reports -- but our usual first rate correspondence is not with us this year and I am a rubbish correspondent. I will do my best to recap our activities over the past few very busy days.
Monday -- n=33 of our 34 participants arrived under w=sunny-clear-Scottish-skies and settled into our cosey chalets in Inchree near Onich with fabulous views over Loch Linnhe. There was a bit of drama with some food orders from Morrisons being cancelled -- but fortunately -- the Morrisons in Fort William was only a short drive away and the crises were adequately addressed and no one went hungry. After dinner, the group managed to squeeze into one chalet for some welcome drinks and discussion of walks for Tuesday......
Tuesday -- Two routes were on offer for day 1. A 21 strong team set off for Bidean nam Bian -- a majestic and complex mountain -- the highest in Glen Coe with two Munros at 1150m and 1072m respectively. The group performed beautifully -- forming three subgroups who stuck together. Ultimately the 2 faster groups merged on the first summit and continued together. 12 summitted both Munros while 9 opted to skip the out and back to the second -- the group generally merged for the long descent back to the car park through the Lost Valley where the MacDondalds hid rustled cattle..... We encountered lots of rocky boulder fields and a precipitous scree shoot which the group bravely navigated.....
A second 10 member team opted for a walk of 2 lairigs -- a route that circumnavigates Buchaille Etive Beag.
2 others on the injury list did some sightseeing and enjoyed the area.
Wednesday -- Another big day for a 5 strong team who headed to Glen Nevis for the Ring of Steall, a classic circuit of 4 Munros, a top that has been relegated and two arretes (one rocky and narrow and the other grassy and airy). The group stuck together and had a welcome foot soak in the stream at the end with one plunging to the neck.
A group of 8 -- walked up to the North Face of Ben Nevis. This route explores the dramatic steep north face of Ben Nevis and involves about 600m of elevation.
A group of 20 took a ferry from Oban to Kerrera and did a 7 mile walk that included some wild swimming, tea at a castle and a honesty bar ice cream stop.
Thursday -- A group of 17 (some looking for a rest day) tackled the Buachaille Etive Beag -- the little shepherd or boy depending on Irish or Scottish translation. This walk provides real bang for the buck with 2 Munros and only 900m of ascent. It offered a nice ridge and fine views. All but 5 did both Munros.
A group of 3 hardy souls opted for another classic -- Ben Nevis via the CMD arrete, a 2 Munro route linked by a narrow rocky ridge then a long slog up the steep flank of Ben Nevis.
A group of about 8 went to explore the Dun Deardail Hill Fort near Ben Nevis and then drove on to Roybridge to look at the parallel roads caused by the different levels of glaciation.
Friday -- Another big day for 3 who tackled the infamous Aonach Eagach -- a set of very narrow rocky pinnacles, book marked by 2 Munros -- fabulous stuff!
A group of 6 tacked the Ballachulish Horseshoe -- a route that covers the 2 Munros of Beinn a Bheithir. 2 completed both tops and 4 opted to skip the out and back to the second -- the route had fabulous views of sea and mountains.
A group of about 8 went up Ben Nevis on the Mountain Path to have the unusual experience of a clear top with no snow....
A group of 13 went to the island of Lismore and went on a 9.7 mile walk and saw castle Coeffin and a Broch with a cake and tea stop. No swimming and no ice cream....
All of this under mostly w=clear-and-sunny-skies. Some clouds moved in late this afternoon.......
More to be reported....
So, taking up from where Stargazer left off, I will try and summarise the remainder of the week.
Saturday, was a cloudy day with showers on and off throughout the day. 14 of us walked to the Steall Falls. The walk was through a wood on a narrowish rocky path, and into the valley where we saw the great falls. A tremendous sight. Many of us used the wire bridge suspended over the river which was too deep to wade through. This was nerve racking to say the least, but no-one fell into the river. Most returned using the bridge; some found wading places in the fast flowing river.
11 people used the nearby Corran Ferry to get across to Corran for a walk in the area.
Sunday was a day of sunshine and showers. 14 of us did the Two Lairigs. The river could not be crossed as in full spate so we remained on the right side for the duration of the walk, jumping across many burns, which became quite difficult in places. Views down the valley were magnificent.
13 walked the Neptune Staircase. 5 of this group then availed themselves of the swimming pool, spa and tea room of the nearby Isles of Glencoe Hotel! I understand that from this group 10 visited the Geologic Musuem, and about 12 visited the Ballachulish Slate Quary and Harbour.
One injured walker drove to Perth to witness the traditional sporting events.
Quite a few of us visited the Roam West pub on the site of the Chalets, either for evening drinks or meals throughout the week. It was a good place to meet up, only disadvantage being their strict closing hours (shortly after 10pm). But the food was good, and it was a spacious and comfortable pub.
Only remains to re-iterate our thanks to Stargazer and John L for their superlative organisation of this trip. Thank you to the car drivers for getting us to and from the walks (and Morrisons). There was great camaraderie and enjoyment of this magnificent part of Scotland.
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