Many people believe Scotland gets more beautiful the further north you go, but destinations in the north and west highlands tend to be just too far from Dundee to travel to and from in a day, so we organise full-weekend trips staying in mountain huts.
These mountain huts are generally remote dwellings for mountain goers, privately owned by mountaineering clubs and organisations. They are usually close to the hills and equipped for basic living. For these meets you need to bring enough food to live on for the weekend, a karrimat and a sleeping bag (more info on the Kit List page).
More details on the specific huts we will be staying at in 2009-10 will be sent out via the announcements forum in due course, but this page provides brief descriptions of most of the huts we tend to use.
Here are some desriptions of huts we have stayed in recent years or are planning to use in 2009-10. See Meets List to find out where we are going this year and when.
Situated in North Ballachulish we will be in easy reach of both the Mamores and the hills at Glencoe. For those of you who enjoy their home comforts this lovely looking hut has both hot showers and a microwave... so no excuses for this one!
Our shortest trip for a hut takes us to Glen Clova, arguably the most spectacular of the Angus Glens. Several mountains lie at to the north, west and south of the Glen, and there is also a fair bit of climbing here too. The hut is well equipped.
This is a rather large 'hut' and probably 'bunkhouse' is a more accurate description. Beds are available for all, and the kitchen and louge area are extensive. The trip is traditionally very popular due to the likeness of Skye's Cuillin Ridge to Alpine mountains, and the hut provides a very comfortable base within easy walking distance of the Southern peaks, and there is copious space for bothy games in the evening! The ridge itself provides almost endless options for walks, but the whole of the island offers fantastic accessible walks and stunning views. The ridge is awesome to look at, and even better to climb on!!
Situated in Glen Etive behind Buachaille Etive Mor is the Inbhirfhaolain hut. This is a well equipped hut, with space for campers, so loads of space on this one. Many mountains almost at the door, and climbing a short way down the Glen. Also within reach of the fantastic Glen Coe.
Another amazing hut visited by the club, isolated from the road by marshland, its tranquil setting makes for a fantastic destination. Inver Croft is a basic hut, but as with all the huts, its has all the facilities required for cooking and the kitchen area plays host to a great table traverse!!! Of course, as with all of our trips, walking opportunities are plentiful with a range of Munros available to bag some of which are accessible directly from the hut. This hut has a 10 minute walk in.
Sat beneath the imposing slopes of Buachaille Etive Mor, at the head of the Glencoe pass, you couldn't ask for a better location for a weekend in the hills. Glencoe is such an amazing place that we are offering two trips there this year!! The hut is well equipped and the ideal location for another great weekend away from Dundee.
As close as we will come to proper bothying, this basic hut (we"re on the floor here) is located in the heart of Gleann Lichd in the Kintail mountain range. There is quite a walk in here, but the payoff is a true wilderness experience and spectacular mountains such as the Five Sisters of Kintail right on the doorstep.
Sat in the shadow of the awesome Liathach, no hut has a more striking setting. Ling is another well equipped hut owned by the SMC. Sleeping quarters are comfortable for all with beds for everyone. This along with a cosy seating area for the evening get together makes for another fantastic weekend away... and that's before you step outside! Torridon’s sandstone hills offer more than enough choice for a weekends walking, with great views on a clear day. The hut has a short 10 minute walk-in along a well trodden path.
By the shore of Loch Insh near Kincraig, Milehouse is very close to Mill Cottage (below) and also has electric lighting and heating, alpine style bunks and a well equipped kitchen. The hut has gas cooking facilities, a microwave, a fridge, hot and cold running water, showers, a drying room, WCs and a shed for skis or about 4 mountain bikes.
Lying at the mouth of the beautiful Glen Feshie at the western edge of the Cairngorm Mountains, Mill Cottage is a well equipped hut with comfortable alpine style bunks. There are lots of walking opportunities of all types in and above this beautiful Glen.
Located in ancient landscape of Assynt, the oldest part of the Mainland, there are few Munros near this, small SMC hut, but there are many excellent lower mountains nearby that prove that mountains do not have to be over 3000ft to be challenging. This is close to being as far from civilisation as is possible in Scotland.
For the final trip we head back north to the Dundonnell and Fisherfield mountains, right below another of the 'Big Ones': An Teallach. A well supplied hut, with bed spaces this time, we are closer to the village here (and therefore the pub in Dundonnell).
Nestled deep in Glen Nevis, with the Southern Slopes of Ben Nevis and Aonach Beag at the front door, and the challenging Ring of Steall behind it, Steall hut has the perfect location. The hut is basic, but has all the ingredients of a great weekend. There are walks for everyone in the area... including more munros than you will know what to do with!!!! A short walk in from the road when we arrive, but who cares when you are deep in Glen Nevis, with all the excellent mountains nearby!
This hut has a fantastic location set deep in the beautiful Glen Affric, home to Scotland's last remaining natural Caledonian forest. The hut is well equipped and spacious. Most importantly, the large kitchen is perfect for the Saturday evening Bothy party!! Its not just the hut that is fantastic either, there is a wide variety of walks available, all direct from the hut, and there are plenty of Munros to be bagged!
We have also made several visits to the ever popular CIC Hut located ON Ben Nevis; the Morvich Outdoor Centre, well located for the Five Sisters of Kintail and very close to Glen Shiel, plus several other huts.