The DMC Hogmanay 2025 trip was a fantastic blend of everything I love most about this club – laughter, hiking, dancing, fabulous food and great banter in a magnificent mountain setting – the simple joy of being out in the wilds in good company.
Here are some wonderful summaries of our three days on Skye…
Over to Carbost via the Cluanie curtain Ales to be had – that’s for certain! Marilyn bagging and photography too A few fine whiskies should see us through! Hogmanay dancing to Spotify New Year’s Day was cold but dry – mainly! Coire na Creiche in awesome splendour We returned for steak pie, oh so tender! A quieter night was had by many Whilst others chilled to folk rock steady! Alas, in the morning we had to go And drive with care in the lying snow.
Greg
Rosie:
The northern lights welcomed us into the new year. If only we had gone out on the balcony sooner as the Cranachan seems to have the best seat in the house.
Andy M:
New Years day was a very enjoyable walk (hobble in my case) to the Fairy Pools and back with the snow covered Black Cuillin ridge as a backdrop. A couple of crazy young ladies went for a dook in the balmy waters. Obviously I was tempted to join them but unfortunately the descent to the water was beyond my current mobility levels. Well that’s my excuse and I’m sticking to it.
Andrew B:
After getting our car headlight (and caffeine deficiency) fixed in Portree, Berenice and I headed cross-country to the west coast of Skye with the aim of staying low to avoid the ferocious wind. We explored the brochs and duns; An Dun in particular being the best preserved broch on Skye. Despite the wind, the weather was actually pretty good, and the view out to sea magnificent. The sharp edge of the vertical cliffs of Oronsay and Portnalong in particular, with the bright white waterfalls splitting them like a crack. The Isle of Oronsay was so tempting we headed over there to climb up it. Luckily the tide was out so we could cross to it without getting our feet wet, not salty anyway, as the bog was a bit damp. We lay on the summit, to avoid being blown straight over the edge, and watched the sun set.
On NY day the dramatic sight of the Cuillin, clear and snow clad, was so tempting we headed down Glen Brittle and up to Coire Lagan. The way the snow fills the cracks really emphasises the rugged nature of these hills, and shows them off in a way that you just can’t see in summer. The view across to the islands (Rum, Eigg, etc) was just stunning – this is why we love the coastal mountains of Scotland so much. The walk up was not too deep snow, although snow showers frequently passed by, making it really atmospheric. The slippery scramble up snow slabs was not too concerning, but the thought of having to do it in reverse on the way back, later in the day when it’s getting dark, prevented us getting too much further. A great mountainous start to the new year.
The next day a group of us headed up to the Storr. Not a day for a long walk as we have a long journey home. At one point I thought we wouldn’t even get there because the road was more snowy than it had been at Carbost. Again the blizzard made it atmospheric but the bright sun and blue sky with fantastical rock sculptures made for a perfect destination.
And finally, a fabulous alternative haiku summary to round off…
DMC Hogmanay Skye Raw, nature at it’s best Warmth, Craic, Drams and Cheese!!