Toast to The Lassies

Burns Night 

Comrie 2015

Glenbuckie House in Comrie 

'The Toast to The Lassies' from Andy

Ben Chonzie

A 'proper' winter hillwalk

Beinn a' Chòinnich (mossy mountain)

24th January

Oh boy, was it windy!

Julie, Deirdre, Roni

Bill, Andy & David

Speyside Way

Ramble on.....

15th February

We took time out to capture an unusual group photo.

From the balcony on the first floor looking down to the entrance hallway.
 Dropping things below not permitted!

With the plateau still out of bounds due to closed roads and incredibly deep snow, we took another easy option.

 Yes, it was to be a low level walk again.

This was frustrating!

We explored part of the Speyside Way and it reads like a gantry in a bar!
Tormore, Craggenmore, Knockando and Cardhu all within minutes of today's stroll.

Our start point was Craggenmore and we followed the old railway line to Blacksboat.

 Our route today was shorter than the walk to Ryvoan.

It didn't seem so as we ploutered along

Many trees had suffered under the weight of snow.

Despite walking through deep snow we set a stiff pace.

Stopping for a photograph meant you had to run to catch up!

We turned back at Blacksboat and took to the minor road as it was easier underfoot.

The old railway bridge over the Spey was decidedly slippy!

Not often we are beaten from the tops by too much snow.

A classic weekend all the same. 

Click here to return to the Moray Club home page

Coylum Lodge - Tam o' Shanter

14th February

"Weel done, Cutty-sark!"

And in an instant all was dark:

......well almost.....

It's a shame the sound quality is poor!

click to return to Moray Club home page

Coylum Lodge Supper

14th February

Dinner is Served!

It was a cozy seating arrangement.

Bruce, complete with his tartan travel rug (!) said grace.

Andy attacked the steaming, freshly shot Haggis
and spilled its entrails with style.

His address caused a lot of laughs...

Eric was on good form, relating tales of times past when he was a young tiger.....

and was very complimentary to the lassies in his speech.

Dierdre being gullible believed him...

.......but we think he over-egged it.....

Wanda made a surprise appearance with another new addition to the club.

Wonder who the father was  -  this time?

Was it Jim ??**##??

After dinner - Elizabeth toasted her hurdies.

Following a solo dancing display, courtesy of Deirdre,

we wound up the evening with a quiet drink and good conversation.

Another successful Burns Supper,

thanks to Jim for Tam O'Shanter.

click to return to Moray Club home page

Ryvoan Ramblers

or there & back again

Saturday 14th February

We look forward to snow covered hills in winter, but this was a bit much.

Here we were in the heart of a fantastic area, staying in the height of luxury, unable to travel more than a few miles due to the sheer volume of snowfall.

Roni didn't want to move from the comfort of her bed.

Helen shouted encouragement/threats to raise the troops.

It was obvious that a wander on the Cairngorm plateau was out of the question as the access road was closed. Question was, what to do?

We wanted excercise and decided that the easy walk to Ryvoan was feasible.

Parking was a problem with cars everywhere, all those poor skiiers unable to reach the slopes.

It's a pleasant, albeit not very challenging ramble.

8 kms out & back, about a 2.5 hour 'hill day'!

On reflection it was challenging, as the deep snow was really deep.

Ryvoan bothy is always a magnet for tramps & vagrants and it was busy.

It's clean enough despite its heavy use, but we much prefered Coylum Lodge.

Bruce had aspirations for tackling Meall a Bhuachaille; but it was 2.30pm on a February afternoon.
We could see several parties on its slopes struggling with the depth of snow.

We retraced our steps back to Loch Morlich.

As always there is time for a bit of fun, this time hide & seek!

Back in 'oor wee hoose' we gathered in the sauna.

Yes a sauna - this caused a huge laugh when Andy & Elizabeth arrived.

Andy couldn't belive his eyes when he met Roni in the hall in her swimsuit!

He was so eager to try the sauna he caused a bigger laugh joining us still wearing his outdoor gear.

Silly boy!

He soon overheated and had to change into more appropriate wear.

and so to our supper.

click here to return to the Moray Club home page

Aviemore Adventures

Burns Weekend

Coylum Lodge

13th - 16th February

There had been an amazing dump of snow in Strathspey.

It was a careful journey to Coylumbridge on Friday night.

However the trials of driving on compacted snowy roads were soon forgotten on seeing our accomodation!

This was class, real class!

Jim commented 'is this Bill's idea of a Bothy?'

Friday night saw us exploring this newly built house; we were the first ever hire.

The kitchen was straight out of Homes & Gardens.

The womenfolk soon settled down with a glass or two.....

.....while the menfolk 'chewed the fat'

With 3 separate lounges in the house Ron soon found his cosy nook.

All five bedrooms were furnished to the highest standard, not a sleeping bag in sight.

No breaking the ice & washing in the River Druie for us........

Bruce & Rita had to have the room with the (almost) McGregor tartan

Would we leave our fantastic house and go and play outside?

Of course we would!

click here to return to the Moray Club home page

When in Crieff

Sunday 3rd February

Sunday's weather wasn't particularly good for the hills
(we were all tired)

So there is really only one thing to do on a wet 'n windy day - visit the Hydro for 'coffee and scones'

Route finding in Crieff

Burns Weekend - 2nd & 3rd February

We were based in a new area this year - slap bang in the centre of Crieff.

Quite a change from the wilds beyond Invergarry.

Within "The Old Bakery", two spacious houses beautifully renovated from a former bakery, gave us comfortable accommodation. Centrally located, they are close to all amenities but set well back from the High Street to give a feeling of seclusion.

This central location and seclusion gave Moray Clubbers route finding problems....................we couldn't find it!

The Old Bakery was restored and transformed in 2007,
so everything is shiny and brand new!

Bill and Roni who organised the weekend had 'reserved' the master bedroom, it was huge, in previous years the whole club would have happily dossed down in a room this size....

The kitchen was very modern and the large dining table sat 11 of us in companionable comfort.

The slightly smaller of the two houses, the Granary, was by no means inferior and had a super 'party' plan, lounge/kitchen/diner.

The Oven house boasted an upstairs lounge where we all collapsed after our huge plates of Haggis neeps 'n tatties.


Ron gave the address to (his) (vegetarian) haggis.
You can see from the food piled up on the plates that the club likes it's grub!


Not quite sure what Ron was expecting to find under the salver......


..........maybe he thought it was the odd looking object that was hiding up Andy's kilt.......



....which strangley appeared on Bill's head.
First time he's had a full head of hair in a long time!



Jim gave a brilliantly delivered, 'Tam o' Shanter', the single candle recreating the old-time atmosphere; it was not difficult to imagine Rabbie amongst us.

If you weren't there you'll just have to imagine the magical cadence of Jim's voice.



Of course there is a moral to the story....one the male members should note,

Now wha this tale o’truth shall read,

Ilk man and mother’s son tak heed

Whene’er to drink you are inclin’d,

Or cutty-sarks run in your mind,

Think ye may buy the joys o’er dear,

Remember Tam O’ Shanter’s mare.

After such a good entertainment from Jim, Bill gave a version of 'To a louse'


scroll down to see.........................

Oh whit a sleekit horrible beastie,

Lurks in yer bellie efter the feastie,

Just as ye sit doon among yer kin

There starts to stir an enormous wind.

The neeps ‘n’ tatties ‘n’ mushy peas

Start working like a gentle breeze

But soon the pudding wi' the sauncie face

Will hae ye blawin' a' ower the place

Nae matter whit the hell ye dae

a'body's gonnae hae tae pay

Even if ye try tae stifle

it's like a bullet - oot a rifle

Hawd yer bum ticht tae the chair

‘n’ tae try tae stop the leakin' air

Shift yersel fae cheek tae cheek

‘n’ Pray tae God it disnae reek

But a' yer efforts go asunder

Oot it comes like a clap o' thunder

Ricochets aroond the room

Michty me! a sonic boom
.

Oh God almighty it fairly reeks

A' hope a' huvnae s**t ma breeks

Tae the bog a' better scurry

Whit the hell, it's no ma worry

A'body roon aboot me choakin'

One or two are nearly boakin'

I'll feel better for a while

Cannae help but raise a smile

It WIS him!

I shout wi’ accusin glower

Alas too late, he's just keeled ower

Ye dirty bugger!

They shout and stare

I'm no that welcome any mair

Where e're ye go let yer wind gang free

That sounds jist the joab fir me

Whit a fuss at Rabbie's party

Ower the sake o' one wee farty.

It was a fantastic weekend.