Orion M.C.

So it was that last night Gordy, Andy, Adam, Jasna (friend of Silke's) and myself set off to James of The Glen bothy in Glen Duror to say a big cheerio to Adam before his move to NZ.

After a dry walk in (contrary to the wet forecast) we arrived at the bothy...my first time there in about 15 years.

Bothy is in good nick and now has a new and excellent stove.

We had a fun night until 3.30am. Jasna brought a pumpkin with her...it is afterall Halloween



Adam was looking a little shifty for some reason



Next morning we rose at 7.30am (only 4hrs sleep) in an attempt to avoid the worst of the forecasted weather in the afternoon.
It was still dry before we left the bothy and remained so for the walk out.



We drove down to Loch Creran where we set off up Beinn Sgulaird. It was still dry when we set off but heavy skies made rain look immenent.

Heading towards darkenining skies...



Waterproofs go on. Loch Creran in the background.



Unfortunately on getting to just short of half way up the hill the forecasted gales made themselves present and the going became very tough.
It became obvious that getting to the top would be quite a challenge, especially when we had so much higher to go and that the wind could only
increase as we got higher. The rain then came on and we all crumbled in the face of the weather and fled the hill as fast as we could.

It was however a grand wee trip and good to see Adam off with some typical Scottish weather after his last 6weeks which he has spent travelling across N.Africa

Shame to see you go Adam. I'm sure that we all wish you the best in NZ.

And to prove that you can get cracking weather on Beinn Sgulaird, here are a couple of scanned pics taken on an ascent of the hill about 7 years ago with Graeme Cornwallis.

Looking over Loch Creran towards Mull



View east, over Beinn Trilleachan, to the Etive hills, including Ben Starav.

Some more old pics taken on Beinn Sgulaird. The first one is looking north and taken on the same winter day as the shots above.



Julia on a summers day looking down over Loch Creran to Mull.



Julia at the summit cairn.

Aye, all the best Adam. Remember to rent a flat/house with a big floor. We are sure to stop by on our Orion World tour

Cheers for those photos Scott. Will definitely have to do Beinn Sgulaird the next nice day we are out....

Here are some of Jasna's photos. Adam rememeber to print off the first one for your new Kiwi friends - will teach them about your feminine side....

Gordy, no wonder the expression on your face above...you look like you've just offloaded a rucksack through your bottom

Ah twas a brilliant night. And a fitting return and goodbye to/from scotland in all ways. Things i missed in the middle east: pork and rain. Urges thoroughly satisfied on the weekend: pork - world's worst sausages at tyndrum weirdo roadside cafe, rain - man it hit like a hammer in the face.

Thanks for a great night and day everyone, and thanks so much for all the fun i had on day trips and mountain hut weekends!

I shall remember orion mc and everyone in it forever, made my time in Scotland brilliant! Please come visit NZ soon!

Hey Doc, ya gonna buy me a ticket