15-16/11/24 FVMC Dinner Meet: Pitlochry Youth Hostel – Good Hill Days, Local Dinner and Homegrown Entertainment

bross
Nov 15, 2024
3 min read

Updated: Jan 4

The club had their Annual Dinner Meet at the Pitlochry Youth Hostel. Hired for the days of Friday and Saturday, the hostel provided an excellent weekend base for the nearby hills and proximity to local services. It also made a fine venue for their Saturday evening Slide Show, Quiz and Celidh, the latter of which was best described as a social gathering with instruments and song, minus the dancing.

Saturday evening at the local Port na Craig Inn and Restaurant https://www.portnacraig.com/.

Earlier on the Friday a few folk got some walks in before going to the hostel. In this case BR & PF embarked on a walk from the car park, NN 87437 66285, at the southern end of Glen Tilt, near Old Bridge of Tilt, to Gaw’s Bridge, NN 90117 71815, just east of Marble Lodge further up the glen. Pic shows PF standing at the settlement of Ach Mhairc Mhoir, with Glen Tilt lying ENE into the distance.

Also on the Friday, MMcE climbed the Fiona Meall dearg, NN 88648 41472, from Glen Cochill. Pic shows the wind farm seen during the ascent looking NE.

Devil’s Matchsticks!

The view WNW to another wind farm, centre left with Loch Hoil, NN 85972 43462, to it’s immediate right.

On Saturday PB & EB did a local walk and had a fine view of Schiehallion, NN 71384 54770, looking ESE from Loch Rannoch.

EB & PB at Rannoch station.

BR, IH, EA & CM ventured out to do the Corbett called Farragon Hill, NN 84083 55323, from just north of Easter Cluny, NN 88394 51895. There was much pheasant shooting at the time…we promised this fine fellow that we wouldn’t let on.

It was cold and windy at the top. Pic taken looking WSW to the other Corbett Meall Tairneachan, NN 80764 54395, centre left.

It is FREEZING!

On the way down the track and the view back NW to Farragon Hill.

Finally on Saturday, JI & SP headed up Ben Vrackie, NN 95070 63244, then NE along the broad ridge before descending into Killiecrankie, finally to the hostel for a cup of tea, hot shower and then dinner meet festivities. They had left the hostel around 9am and were back around 4pm, covering about 18km, with 850m of ascent.

About one hour in, looking south to Pitlochry.

At the top of Ben Vrackie, looking south SW to their ascent route.

Looking north to Beinn a Ghlo.

Also on Saturday MMcE, CS, GB & Harry The Dog climbed Badandun Hill, NO 20742 67881, anti-clockwise, east to west. Pic shows the southern rib of Badandun Hill looking north from the track on the east side.

Looking SW from the track towards Auchintaple Loch, NO 19623 64755.

Beinn a' Ghlo to the WNW from near the top.

…a bit windy.

Descending by the track on the western side.

Near the car, highland ponies with Mount Blair behind to the SW.

Finally on Saturday, DY & LY go on a walk at the base of Ben Vrackie. Pic looks NW over Loch a’ Choire, NN 94697 62576.

Beech woodland near Moulin.

DY & LY at Killiecrankie.

Later that evening, after a slide show, quiz and fine meal at the Port na Craig restaurant there was some homegrown entertainment…the record deal is yet to be confirmed.

Atter a suitable rest on Sunday morning, MMCE took a Forest route up a local prominent point called An Suidhe, NN 92293 56459, topped by a radio mast.