04-05/11/22 Weekend Meet: Dinner Meet at Kinlochleven

Our club saw a happy return to the Blackwater Hostel at Kinlochleven, for our annual Dinner Meet, attended by about 17 members. Due to COVID, our last visit to this establishment was on 09-10/11/19.

The hostel, as some of our members get ready to leave for a walk before the evening dinner at a local restaurant.

First up, PB, on the way up on the Friday, climbed the Pap of Glencoe, NN 12509 59441, before arriving at Blackwater Hostel. Here’s a view of Ardgour from the low path up to the Pap.

A misty Loch Leven from the summit, with Kinlochleven just visible at it’s eastern end.

On the Saturday, PB did a solo trip to bag an elusive Corbett Meall Dubh, NH 24531 07872, in Glen Morriston. This is the Millennium wind farm on way to Meall Dubh.

A summit selfie of PB on Meall Dubh.

Also on Saturday, BR along with IMcM, PF,& CM walked from the Blackwater Hostel to the Graveyard, NN 24218 60247, west of the Blackwater Reservoir. This is the covered concrete sluice carrying water to the hydroelectric plant at Kinlochleven.

PF reads some of the inscriptions at this loneliest of places.

Looking NE along the dam…during the last time BR had visited the water had been overflowing the top!

Looking north to The Mamores.

Walking back along the covered sluice gave them an easier and faster return to Kinlochleven.

Looking SW to the Aonach Eagach Ridge.

On Friday MMcE & CS climbed Corbett Beinn Mhic-Mhonaidh. NN 20882 35045, at the NE end of Glen Strae. This photo looks SE toward the Ben Lui group of hills during their ascent.

The view over Loch Awe.

A summit selfie in the wind and rain.

On Saturday MMcE & CS were joined by EA & ARob on a low level trip on the West Highland Way, avoiding most of the dreich and windy weather. They had lunch at Tigh na sleubhaich cottage, NN 13623 64320, where they met 2 brave souls from The Netherlands walking the WHW in November!

…dreich has no dominion over smiles!

It later cleared to give some fine views over Kinlochleven. Beinn na Caillich, NN 14060 62830, on right, the Pap, NN 12529 59429, on left.

They returned past Mamore lodge and the Stalkers cottage and finished at The Grey Mare’s Tail waterfall, NN 18754 62531.

Also on that Saturday JW had a leisurely drive to the hostel…stopping at the Kings House Hotel, NN 25925 54698, for a short break – obviously the stag has the same idea!

Looking NW to the eastern end of Glencoe.

On Sunday he took the same trip that BR, PF, IMcM & CM had taken to the Graveyard. On his way he passes the penstock supplying the hydroelectric plant at Kinlochleven.

A more intimate view of the gravestones.

DY & LY had a wet Saturday morning setting off up the north Bank of the River Leven. At the furthermost point we see, despite it’s attempts to hide, the Blackwater Reservoir dam, this time from it’s northern end.

Looking SSW to Buachaille Etive Mor.

The route back partially follows the pipeline which brings water from Loch Eilde Mor further north of the Blackwater Reservoir.

Later that evening SP enjoys some pre-dinner drinks at the hostel with MMcL EA, JI & ARod.

…along with other usual suspects – IMcM, CM, BR & ARob.

Dinner afterwards at The Highland Getaway. It was a great weekend with fine walks, delicious food and grand company.