Assynt Memorial meet - 26 Sept 2026
The IMC has lost some long-standing members recently, who between them made a huge contribution to the club; Peter M, Arthur and Jim T. We decided to celebrate their lives by arranging a weekend away at the Elphin caving club hut in Assynt, a favourite part of the Highlands for all three.
Early birds Cerian and Michael hit Ben Stack on Friday, with Fay and Dave electing to do a circuit behind the hut taking in Cnoc Breac (280m).
Several parties went out on Saturday in the locality; On the Saturday morning Cerian, Alan, Marion, Sarah and Gina walked up to the bone caves at Inchnadamph, stopping along the way to wonder at the astonishing sight of springs welling up out from the limestone bedrock. They watched ravens tumbling in the thermals and seeing off a golden eagle while enjoying lunch in Badger cave, and also got a good sighting of a group of hinds and a stag on the opposite hillside. After lunch the party returned to the car park while Cerian and Gina climbed up to the summit of Beinn an Fhuarain enjoying great views across the Assynt hills.
Richard, Michael, Robin, Steve and Ewen checked out the trails into the badlands north of Little Assynt, Fay and Dave ascended Cnoc an Droighinn (477m) behind Inchnadamph, and Hugh bagged the remote Meall an Fhuarain (578m) west of Loch Craggie.
The weather on Sunday can best be described as "mixed" but despite that Fay and Dave went up Cul Mor, 849m - thus winning the prize for effort over the weekend. There were 16 folk at the hut; adding on the 19 who came out for the day on Saturday, a total of 35 raised a glass in tribute to our late friends.
Words: Ewen and Gina; Photos: Alan, Martyn and Ewen.
IMC day walks all focused on Assynt this weekend – to Cul Mor, Canisp and the Munros of Conival and Ben More Assynt.
Cul Mor
The team met in a windy layby on the A835 ready to tackle Cul Mor and adjacent tops.
Martin, Stela, Jan, Hazel, Graham and Skye, John, Sharan, Agnes, Emma, Margaret and Martyn set off on the well-made path. The wind was certainly up, and the clouds just skimming the tops. However, it was dry. As the team reached Meallan Diamhain excellent views of Suilven, the coast and the lochans which cover the ground between the Inselbergs.
The climb to the summit took the team through a steep boulder field and on to the top. Some minor scrambling was undertaken. The group descended to a bealach on the way to Bod a’Mhadail and had lunch. A wee dram was offered in memory of members which we lost this year.
Martyn’s right boot decided that it had had enough, and the sole made a bid for freedom. Zip ties remedied the issue, though new boots are now on the agenda.
After the Bod the team made their way to the summit of Creag nan Calman. The views over Assynt were stellar. Stac Pollaidh, Loch Sionascaig and many other tops and lochs filled the vista along with the coast.
The return journey included a spot of bouldering on an erratic. However, the wind was very gusty and nearly blew members off the top, overturning a few rucksacks.
A fitting memorial climb in part of the Highlands which was showing its best.
Words: Martyn
Ben More Assynt
"Wendell, Susan, Mairi, May and Greg met at the Ichnadamph car park, feeling positive given the better than expected weather. The sheltered weather continued up Gleann Dubh where cloud topped Conival came into view. Still hopeful for a cloud free summit, they climbed up the Allt a'Choinne'Mhill where the views of Assynt opened up with great visibility as far south as the Fisherfields. Here the forecast caught up with them with high wind speeds as they entered the clag. The storm shelter at the summit was a welcomed site, however offered little protection. After a bite to eat, the group split with Wendell, Susan, Mairi and May returning whilst Greg continued along the ridge to Ben More Assynt. The gusts across the ridge were worse than on Conival but luckily the snaking path gave places of respite from the wind. The clag then lifted before reaching the summit of Ben More Assynt. Here Greg bumped into three members of another club who were up in Assynt on their own weekend meet. The clear visibility continued for the remainder of the day until returning back to the cars. A great day out in great company."
Words and Photos: Greg.
Suilven
Some ex IMC members climbed Suilven. Ben More Assynt had originally been proposed. However, I had mentioned the planned walks so Suilven was chosen as the others had not been up and gave me the chance to do the full traverse.
Words: Stuart
Canisp
Three of us met up at the layby just north of Loch Awe for the accent of Canisp: Diana, Nicola, and me, plus Pippa the collie. The summit and upper part of the hill was shrouded in cloud as we set off, and appeared a considerable distance off. We found the path down to the footbridge over the River Lonan and headed westwards over wet ground towards the flat area north of Loch na Gruagaich. From route descriptions we knew this was going to be boggy, but this area was exceptional! Several hundred metres of tufts, tussocks and floating vegetation, with calf deep areas of water in between - not easy ground. Eventually we crossed the inflow to the loch and reached the other side, with some very wet feet. The going then improved a little over short heather, grass and peat. Somehow we missed the path parallel and close to our route which subsequently seemed obvious on the way down. With the easier going some stories of those the IMC have lost this year were recounted.
One of my first ever winter climbs was with Peter at some point in the 90’s, a grade IIish gully on the north side of Liathath. (A couple of weeks ago I had been along the path there and was trying - inconclusively - to figure out which one.) Near the top of the gully I was digging my bucket seat and arranging an axe belay when Peter arrived. Clearly I was taking far too long, snow conditions were good, it was relatively easy-angled, and the more pressing issue was the failing daylight. Diana recounted how Arthur had been very welcoming and helpful on her first few walks with the club. I also remember good chats and stories from Jim back in the days of regular Thursday pub meet ups, most recently in the Phoenix. I’m sure many in the club will have plenty of good stories and memories.
On reaching a rounded top at 307m we found a bit of decent path at last. This path led to an exposure of water-worn slabs which made pleasant walking for a while. Above the slabs we headed straight up towards the southeast shoulder of the hill. The route became increasingly stoney and rough going as we moved from pipe rock bedrock onto quartzite and gained height. The forecast had been for fairly high winds and it also became increasingly blustery.
At around 750m the view suddenly opened up revealing a steep drop down to the trench of Loch na Gainimh with its sandy beach and the spectacular ridge of Suilven beyond.
We battled the wind up the final section, steep in places, to reach the small, grassy summit plateau. Crossing this we reached the top with its large fully enclosed wind break shelter. Strangely though, despite being almost blown off our feet just a short way lower down, there was almost no wind at the summit. The cloud was coming and going, and drifting across the moorland below but we could just make out the coast and the sea to the northwest.
After refuelling with lunch we retraced our steps, the descent route being very similar to the ascent. It was cold back in the wind and many layers were on. The stoney ground was possibly more awkward in descent than ascent and it was difficult to pick the easiest line.
Further down the sun came out, layers could be removed, and we had a mindful moment resting and listening to the water running over the slabs we had followed on the way up. The lower path seemed much easier to find and follow in descent. Reaching the flat area at the base of the hill we found a slightly better route than the way up, but still very wet and involving splashing through what was essentially a fairly substantial stream at one point. The parking spot was reached, and the relief of a change into dry footwear. Looking back, the top was clear. Canisp proved to be a more challenging hill than I had expected, very wet and stoney in places, but well worth it for the adventure, company and views.
Words and Photos: David
