Autumn weekend meet at Onich

Blairgowrie and District Hillwalking Club’s autumn weekend was based at Onich near Fort William. The highlight of the weekend was a day on Carn Mor Dearg (1223m) as club members joined Jinty Smart to celebrate her completing all her “Munros”. It takes commitment and planning to climb all 282 Munros, and Jinty chose a wonderful day for her last one.

Starting at Torlundy, where parking was a challenge as the Ring of Steall Skyrace was taking place that attracted hundreds of visitors. We avoided the runners and climbed steadily gaining spectacular views of Ben Nevis, the West Highlands, and the Small Isles before reaching the summit where Jinty touched the final cairn by walking through a guard of honour of members’ walking poles.

Carn Mor Dearg is a mighty hill and there were many tired legs on the outward journey, but we pulled together to help everyone reach the bottom safely and just had enough time for a quick wash and brush up before we met up at Roam West, Inchree, for a celebratory meal. A magic day and congratulations Jinty.Some members extended their stay and enjoyed shorter walks to Glen Nevis and the Steall bridge; from the Kings House in Glen Coe to Kinlochleven; taking the Corran Ferry across Loch Linnhe; and around Onich and Inchree.