Camping Meet at Sands, Gairloch (Jun 2017)

16-18 June 2017

On the weekend of June 17/18, Dundee was experiencing a heatwave. The temperatures soared, and most of Scotland enjoyed scorching sunshine and clear, blue skies.

Some of the hardier members of the Dundee Mountain Club, however, drove away from the sunshine and into the mist for a weekend camping at the Sands Caravan and Camping Park in Gairloch. They breed them tough in the DMC.

It was quite windy on the first night, but we’d picked a good spot on the campsite, nestled behind the sand dunes, and the Amenities block had several comfy couches where we planned the weekend’s activities.

Saturday awoke a little dreich and misty, but the determined bunch headed out anyway – Amy and Dom for a walk around the spectacular landscape of Flowerdale Forest, and the rest of the group for an attempt at the mighty Slioch. The day brightened as we headed inland, with the forecasted rain appearing only as mist and light drizzle. Slioch was conquered without a hitch, and with sightings of deer and ptarmigan to make up for the low visibility from the summit. Well done to Simone, who was visiting from New Zealand, on her first Munro!

A barbeque had been organised for the evening, which we bravely carried out in the shelter of the Sands’ kitchen block and ate the grilled sausages and veg indoors. The amenities on the campsite were fantastic – and the hot showers were certainly appreciated!

After a shared breakfast on the Sunday morning on the bench beside our tents, we went down to the beach – a mere 20 yards away – to take in the breath-taking scenery, looking out to the islands of Longa, Rona, and Skye in the distance.

Berenice, Ed, Simone, Mhairi, Janet, Dom and Katrina then packed up and headed inland to climb Fionn Bheinn from Achnasheen on their way home. The rounded Munro looks fairly unimpressive from the roadside, but a boggy tramp to the top was rewarded with incredible views across Torridon, Fisherfield and beyond.

Although the weather could have been brighter it was a fantastic weekend, and requests have already been put in for a return meet next year!

  • Attendees: Amy, Dom, Louise, Stephen, Mhairi, Katrina, Janet, Berenice, Ed, Simone

  • Report by Katrina