Raeburn Cottage – Laggan (Jul 2022)

Friday 8 – Sunday 10 July 2022

After a slightly nervous lead up, the day of my very first Dundee Mountain Club meet arrived! Sun shining, weather forecast looking ideal and bags packed…time to roll! Got picked up by Niall at the back of 6pm and grabbed Paul on the way. We arrived about 8:30pm. Greg, Chris and others were already there having done a hill earlier on Friday and some traveling up that bit earlier.

The cottage itself was really comfy and cosy and the bedrooms well laid out! I immediately felt at home and once the general chat and silliness got going, we had a good giggle late into the night!

Saturday saw us split into two groups. Group 1 tackling  Creag Meagaidh, as well as 2 other Munros and 7 tops! Paul and Andy making sure the tops weren’t missed.

Group 2 took on the brute that is Beinn a Clachair as well as Geal Chàrn and Creag Piridh. The aim was for all of us to complete all 3 Munros, sadly it wasn’t to be! After aggravating an ankle injury, Niall and I headed back after summiting Clachair while Katrina, Heinke and Paulina went on to finish the circuit agreeing to meet us at Lochan na h-Earba on their way back.

Thankfully, the weather was on our side and the sun was shining so a quick 20 minute dook in the Lochan made up for the fact Niall and I couldn’t complete the circuit. After a long day we made it back to the cottage about 8pm and enjoyed a lovely evening of pizza, board games and a bloody good laugh!

The next day was a later start owing to our late night. Again 2 groups emerged, one group being much more enthusiastic and energetic and taking off to complete a 3 stage climb up what I have affectionately named “Baby Rock” (BB8 Rock would also work!)

Meanwhile, the rest of us decided on a more sedate Sunday, a day sunbathing on the beach at Loch Laggan and a swim finished off by coffee and cake at a local cafe.

All in all, what an incredible first outing with the club and one that has me itching to get out again as soon as possible! A top weekend and a great introduction to DMC meets! Thanks everyone for keeping me right, taking me under your wing and helping me have the best time!

  • Report by Lyndsey Lauder