Loch Ossian 2011

5th & 6th November 2011

James’s photos | JD’s photos | Paula’s photos

It was a strong and enthusiastic group of 19 Westies that made the pilgrimage to the Loch Ossian Youth Hostel this year.

So the things of note from the weekend, in no particular order, were John Hamer’s solo run round the loch on Sunday morning when he managed to beat the hour; the wonderful collection of pirate costumes, complete with swords, parrots (big and small), penguins (?), pistols (water), and many skulls with the cross bones; and of course the food, that was delicious and just went on and on; the dancing ; the quiz with no answers ; Cam’s swim in the loch; and on both nights some stalwarts managed to party the night through to see in the dawn; but (and there has to be a but) there was almost no singing !

On Saturday there were groups on the Easains, Aonach Beag ridge, Sgor Gaibhre, and a party caught the train to Tulloch and battled their way back through the mud and muck of the wood before hitting the better track through Glen ????. . . We all got back with a healthy glow and sense of having worked hard and could now enjoy ourselves with a bit of over indulgence and hedonism, and so we set to. Food and drink came out, and was consumed, our intellect was challenged in a taxing quiz, people managed not to immolate themselves with Gibby’s flaming balls ( more by luck than judgement ), the firework was set off , and then we danced the night away.( at least that is all I remember ).

Sunday, predictably, was a bit slower . Beinn na Lap was done by a large and purposeful party (well some things just have to be done), while 2 groups went up Sgor Gaibhre. After all the tidying up was done we were treated to a magnificent display of superhuman flexibility with the ‘bending down to pick up a cereal box with your teeth’. The final, with about 1inch of box and 40min to the train came down to Ross and Christine. Ross went first and got the box but fell over, while Christine was like a lithe heron as she bent at the waist and extended her long neck to pick up the box with ease.

Back at the station we had time for a quick Grand Old Duke of York, and Hokey Kokey (so there was some singing) and we all made it back to Bridge of Orchy with no further incident.

So thanks to all those who came along, baked and cooked, and generally work hard (particularly, Fiona as the organiser) to make it such a good weekend. With numbers like this, I can see it continuing in the calendar for a while yet.