Weekend meet to Blackrock Cottage, Glencoe, 16-18 October 2026

The club was blessed with a good forecast for the autumnal meet at Blackrock Cottage, Glencoe. Greg and Stela were able to travel down early, climbing Buachaille Etive Mor and Ben Lawers respectively as warm-ups for the weekend’s activities. Most people arrived later on Friday, with a convivial atmosphere in the wood-lined lounge of the Ladies Scottish Climbing Club hut. Discussions for Saturday circled around a Black Mount traverse, Aonach Eagach, and Bidean nam Bian, with the former and latter settled upon.

Graham, Stela and Agnes set off for Bidean nam Bian. The group admired the clear skies, the waterfalls and the amazing opportunity to be there, stopping frequently to take pictures and videos. On reaching the ridge onto Stop Coire nan Lochan they soon realised that the frost touched the mountain and the shady parts of the ridge needed care. Meeting groups of people and dogs on the hill meant they stopped to chat numerous times, making friends with both dogs and owners. They had almost reached the first Munro when they noticed a boy setting up for a paragliding experience. A bit of educational time on it made us admire the lad’s courage as he launched himself down a very steep slope. After reaching the second Munro they quickly descended through a steep scree path down to the Hidden valley. The history of what happened there gave them the shivers. After a long day they made it back to the hut happy, and in one piece!

Mel and Marion walked part of the West Highland Way south from Blackrock to take in the views across Rannoch Moor and of the Black Mount. They then looked out for the late arriving Steve, Ewen and Michael from the Glencoe ski centre café during the afternoon.

Robin identified a single hill in the area he hadn’t climbed and set off for the steep-sided Beinn Mhic Chasgaig above Glen Etive. Duly summitted Robin will have to start repeating hills next time he’s in the area.

Greg, Emma and Martin, drove down to Victoria Bridge for a traverse of the Black Mount. Having entered low cloud near Bridge of Orchy they were confident of climbing up through it, and duly did shortly after the miniscule ‘sleeps 6-12’ Clashgour hut. Stob a’ Coire Odhair provided great views over Rannoch Moor to Schiehallion and beyond. Greg was a bit stiff from his exertions on Friday and did some summit-stretching yoga to our amusement. The ascent to Stob Ghabhar took us across a verglass-covered boulderfield and up onto a lesser knotched ridge of Aonach Eagach. With cloud filling a corrie on one side, the ridge was very atmospheric.

Leaving the summit northwards, Creag Leathad, a former Munro, dominated the views towards Glen Etive. Rougher undulating ground was interrupted by a beautiful still lochan where photos and reflections could be taken. The climb from the bealach to Creag Leathad was unrelentingly steep and the ability to top up water was welcomed. After refuelling on Creag Leathad Greg bounded off, driven by his cola, followed more steadily by Martin and Emma. Creise, Martin’s 100th Munro was reached after 8 hours, and Meall a’ Bhuridh thankfully after just over 9h. The final trudge down to Glencoe was livened by a stag resting close to a mountain-bike track and a pink glow over Rannoch Moor. Quite an outing.

Steve, Ewen and Michael visited for an after-dinner beverage beside the fire, while several early nights were had. Everyone else got to appreciate the large number of stars that were visible from the doorway of the hut.