Monday 6 April 2015

Easter Pitlochry 03-06/04/2015

Easter Pitlochry 03-06/04/2015.  Paul D. organised the Weekend.


Eleven members enjoyed the long Easter weekend at Pitlochry youth hostel in Perthshire. Most people travelled up during the day on Thursday to arrive in time for dinner at the hostel. The weekend weather started rather drizzly on Friday and a low level walk was deemed in order, most of the group walking along Loch Faskally and up the valley as far as Killiecrankie and back. The highlight of the day was watching the well-organised bungee jumping from the Garry Bridge in the Killiecrankie gorge. Meanwhile, Nigel with the two Sues in tow went to see the Ospreys nesting at Loch of Lowes near Dunkeld. Saturday, the weather improved and a party of seven drove over to Braes of Foss to climb the munro, Schiehallion. There was a fair amount of snow still lying on the hill and some good views were had on the way up and down although the summit and upper slopes were in cloud. Afternoon tea was enjoyed at a tea room in Aberfeldy on the way back to the hostel. The weather forecast for Easter Sunday was excellent and unusually for the Scottish Highlands, there was a significant risk of sun burn. In response, the group split up to cover various options including playing golf (Sue and Pete and John), visiting gardens (Sue and Joan), munro bagging (Brian and Nigel went up Beinn a Ghlo) and climbing a nice little hill called Ben Vrackie which overlooks Pitlochry (Jack, Ann, Colin and Helen). In the evening everyone enjoyed an excellent meal prepared by the hostel staff and exchanged our experiences of the day. On Monday, with the weather still fine and sunny, we all reluctantly headed south for home.