Burns Supper Weekend Meet at Taigh nan Famh, Elphin
The lure of the club’s traditional Burns Supper meet more than outweighed the prospect of Arctic snows at the start of the weekend followed by a rapid thaw on Sunday. A brave band of fifteen souls headed north to Elphin for this celebration of the Bard’s birth ……… and maybe to climb the odd hill.
The Bard and the Club Bard (aka Robin) write -
O wad some Pow'r the giftie gie us
To see oursels as ithers see us! ...
As is IMC tradition, the Address to the Great Chieftan O' the Puddin' Race owed more to McGonagall than Burns, as delivered by the Club Bard looking suitably doaty in a Davy Crockett hat. (Why? Who knows...)
There followed a veritable feast of guid Scottish (and Bavarian) fare - scotch broth, veggie soup, best Cockburn's (of Dingwall) haggis with neep, tatties and whisky sauce, followed by apple strudel and plum crumble. The wine of the country - the barley bree spiced up with green ginger (the classic 'Whisky Mac' ) was imbibed in liberal fashion.
Many thanks to Marcus for stepping up to the role of Quartermaster General; to Lizzie, Richard, Simon and Fiona for the food; and Andreas for bringing his customary Teutonic efficiency to the crucial job of Executive Chef - and of course his signature dish of genuine Bavarian apfelstrudel. Thanks also to Callum and Marcus for providing musical entertainment on guitar and ukulele.
To paraphrase the Great Scots Bard - "Freedom and mountains gang thegither.” Long may it remain so.
Dan writes -
It was nice to be back at the Grampian Speleological Groups hut in Elphin for the Club’s Burns Supper meet. With the recent heavy snow hitting the North in particular we were glad to have clear roads all the way. The driveway was also negotiable (although a Renault trafic in the group would later need some extra assistance). Irene and I arrived at around 9pm on Friday evening and happily by then others had managed to warm the hut up from the 'frozen breath' baseline. No firm plans were hatched and it was a fairly genteel start to Saturday morning before all those in the hut decided to make a try for Cul Mor. The snow on the way up demanded a little more energy expenditure but was not too deep apart from some drifts on path sections. There were nice views towards Suilven and Quinag and the sun made brief appearances. The thaw was well under way on our descent with the path turning to a river of slush. Back at the hut preparations were quickly underway for the Burns supper (with thanks to Head Chef Heinzl). A sociable evening which of course included an annual offering from the club bard. On Sunday we woke to a driech view and so small walks in the slush were the biggest activity other than returning home. Thanks all for a very nice weekend.
Marcus writes -
Following a recent illness it was with a little trepidation that I set out with the others up Cul Mor. I was pretty certain that I would soon turn around. However the unexpected blue skies and clear views drew me on and I was extremely grateful for those breaking trail through the soft snow ahead. The final steepening to the summit was tough and it was a relief to sit down and refuel. I chose not to return with the others back down the NE ridge, a hunch suggesting that the gentler slopes of the east facing corrie between the summit and Creag nan Calman would be easier going; Simon joined me and we were proved correct, the easy snow slopes letting us take full advantage of gravity in descent and we were back at the cars a full half hour before the others. A stunning albeit tiring day.
So on to Taigh nan Famh for the main event. I am now a convert to the Cockburn Haggis, all the food was excellent and the company a delight. Thank you to everyone for contributing to the evening's success.
Taking Part: Robin, Ewen, Mike D. Peter B. Fiona, Mike W. Dan, Irene, Sharan, Richard, Andreas, Albert, Lizzie, Calum and prospective member Simon.
Words: Robin, Dan and Marcus
Photos: Dan, Marcus, Calum, Simon and Sharan (whose is this lenticular cloud photo.)
