40 for 40.

This year is the big '4' '0' for me, and by coincidence while I was making a list of the number of Scottish Munroes I've climbed, which was 39, so I thought it would be a great idea to climb my 40th on my 40th !!!!. I decided to climb  Buchaille Etive Mor and thought it would also be a great idea to invite a bunch of friends along and  help me celebrate and have a few  in the Clachaig Inn afterwards !!.

Although the weather forecast looked pretty bad, it turned out to be cracking day out on the hills.  Everyone enjoyed themselves and there was no casualties.  However after a good night in the Clachaig hotel there was a few sore heads in the morning !!!!

Friday night fish and chips at the Real Food Cafe in Tyndrum.

Approaching Buchaille Etive Mor.

A few evening refreshments.

Abdel makes some lovely mint tea for breakfast.

Enjoying a cuppa.

A beautiful day for climbing a mountain.

Group shot with the Buchaille behind.

Heading to the Hills

Grant n'Keith

The going gets tough

Time for a wee blether !!!

Summer finally !!!

Approaching the summit !!!

Abdel on tea duty again !!!!

Looking out from the summit.

D & G

Lesa and Grant took the more difficult route !!!

Another fine view.

The girls went wild !!! .....

....Drove Evelyn to drink !!!!

Heading back down.

Grant "Euro Hiker" Look !!!

40 for 40 !!!.

Hungry Hikers !!!!

My Birthday cake, but I though the Edible Dean was a bit on the chunky side !!!

Shuttle and Paul.

Morrisey and Susan !!!

Whisky time !!!!!

Gillian and the Boys !!!

Kelso Boys !!!!

Things start to go down hill rapidly !!!!!

A Royal Running weekend.....

Last weekend was our running club's Corstorphine AAC annual trip to Balmoral for 10K races and a spot of hillwalking.  On the Saturday where was a number of different distances 5K, 10K and a 15Mile Trail which all take place in the beautiful Balmoral estate.

All the members of our running club ran well and both Gillian and I were very happy with our runs as this was our first race since the Kilimanjaro Half Marathon back in February.  Gillian even won a prize for 3rd senior female.

Corstorphine AAC

Dean Running.

At the Finish line.

Gillian picks up her prize.

Balmoral Castle.

On the Sunday we hill walking in the Cairngorm mountains to climb Beinn Bhuird.  It was one of the most beautiful days walking in Scotland we have ever seen.  Blue skies, sunshine and lots of fresh snow on the mountains, it felt like we were in Patagonia !!!!

Start of the walk at the Linn of Dee.

Beinn Bhuird in the background.

Lunch stop.

Looking back down the valley we walked up.

Some amazing Scottish scenery.

Snowy Cairngorms.

At the summit of  Beinn Bhuird 1197M.

Heading back....

...to the pub !!!

Another fantastic weekend in the Scottish highland, just goes to show Scotland is one of the most beautiful countries in the world.