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Information regarding the proposed expedition to Scotland this summer (from the GSG):

GRAMPIAN SPELEOLOGICAL GROUP

Founded  in  1961,  the  Grampian  Speleological  Group  (GSG)  is  Scotland’s oldest  caving club.  Although a minority sport in Scotland the club  has  over 100  members.   Centred in Edinburgh the GSG has a  wide  geographical  base and organises regular trips to all of Britain’s main caving areas.

Fundamental   to  the  Club’s  existence,  however,  is  a  commitment  to   the development of caving  in  Scotland  and to this  end  the  Club  has recently  operates Taigh nam Famh, a purpose built Caving Centre in Assynt, Sutherland.

ASSYNT

Located in the rugged North West, Assynt is one of Scotland’s most scenically beautiful  areas and is a superb centre for a wide variety of  outdoor activities. These  include  caving, climbing, canoeing, hill-walking,  fishing,  ornithology, geology, botany and diving.

Caving:

Assynt  is  Scotland’s  premier  caving  area with  over  fifty  caves  of  varying length  and degree  of difficulty.  The main systems of Cnoc  nan  Uamh,  Allt nan  Uamh  Stream  Cave and Claonaite all provide  good  sport  and  contain nearly   two   kilometres  of passages each.  The  object  of  much sporting, scientific and archaeological  activity  over  the years, exploration and study of the caves is very much a continuing process.

Climbing/Hill-walking:

The   immediate   area  is  one  of  considerable  interest  to   hill-walkers   and climbers  alike.  For  climbers  there are challenges such  as  the  Old  Man  of Storr,  The  Sgurr an Fhiddler Buttress on Beinn Mor  Coigach,  Stac  Pollaidh, Suilven   and  many  more.   For   hill-walkers there  are  Ben   More   Assynt, Conival,  Quinag,  Canisp,  Suilven  and others together  with many  fine  less strenuous  scenic  walks.   Further afield,  but quite possible in  a  day  are   An Teallach, The Fhannichs, The Beinn Dearg Group, Arkle and Foinaven.

Fishing:

Renowned  for  salmon,  brown  trout  and  arctic  char  Assynt  offers  a  wide variety  of Loch and River fishing, some of it at very reasonable prices.   Lochs Cama,  Veyatie,  Urigill, Borolan and Assynt have all  yielded  sizeable brown trout.  Sea fishing trips are also available at Ullapool, about 14 miles away.

Geology:

Geologically,  there  is also a great deal of interest.  The Assynt ‘Window’  is  a regular area of study for geological field trips by geological students and clubs alike.

Diving:

The   clear   waters   of   the   north-west   provide   divers   with   many    fine opportunities.  The  clear  sea  lochs are often  easily  accessible  and  provide pleasant  shore diving over a wide range of depth.  There are also drift dives available and  for  those with boats a trip to the Summer Isles.

The  flora  and  fauna  of  the area are many  and  varied  and  of  considerable interest to anyone interested in natural history.

Further Reading:

Geological Excursion Guide to Assynt

Caves of Assynt*

Quaternary Guide to Assynt and Coigach*

Various climbing and hill-walking guides

Dive the North West

*Available from GSG Hon.Rec., 8, Scone Gardens, EDINBURGH

ELPHIN CAVING CENTRE

Location:

The Centre is located in the village of Elphin, Sutherland.  It is situated to  the  north  west  of  Inverness  (around  70 miles away) and  is  14  miles  north  of Ullapool  on  the main A835  road.  It lies just to the north of  the  bridge  over the  Abhainn  an  Cnocain,  to  the  east of  the  main  road,  opposite  a  fairly obvious GPO pattern red telephone box (though this is currently threatened with removal).

Sleeping Accommodation:

The centre contains two bunk rooms, one with sleeping space for twelve  and the  other  with sleeping space for eight.  Both are fully  equipped  with  bunks and  mattresses,  the  larger  of the two rooms having a continuous  bunk  at  the  lower  level.  Racks are available for storage of rucksacks and there is further storage space under the bunks.  The bunk rooms are heated by gas wall heaters and the whole building is well insulated.

Toilet/Shower Facilities:

There are two shower rooms and two separate toilets.  Hot water is provided by a   pressurised electrically heated  hot water system.  This has around 100 litres of storage and will provide sufficient hot water for 4 – 6 showers within about an hour.

Kitchen/Sitting Area/Conservatory/Drying Room:

The centre has an open plan kitchen/sitting area.  The kitchen is well supplied with  crockery  and  cutlery  and  is equipped with two  gas  hobs,  toasted  sandwich  makers, toaster, microwave oven and fridge.  There is ample storage space for visitors’ food.

Located off the kitchen with its own external door is a large conservatory with table and chairs.

The sitting area has a multi-fuel stove and a number of easy chairs.  Some wood/coal may be available, although visitors are advised to bring their own.

At the rear of the building, adjacent to the back door is a changing area, lamp charging bench and a separate drying room.

Operational Details:

Electricity:-  although lighting, fridge and trace heating (plumbing) circuits are not run through  a  coin  operated  meter,  the main power circuits are.  This operates solely on pound coins.  More detailed instructions on the operation of the water heater and trace heating are available on site.

Gas:-  is  supplied  from an LPG tank located at the rear of the building.   When  arriving,  the main  valve,  located outside, below and to the side of the rear bunk room window,  should be turned  through  90  degrees  to the on position.  When leaving, it should be turned to the off position.   The balanced flue gas wall heaters in the bunk rooms have integral piezo-electric igniters.  Instructions for lighting them should be followed.  Items must not be placed on top of them.

Water –  is  provided  from  the  local public supply.  It is not usually switched off.   If this becomes necessary due to a leak or other problem, the main stopcock is located in the shower-room adjacent to the kitchen.

 

Booking Details:

The hut may normally be booked by visiting parties of up to 12, although this may be extended at the discretion of the hut warden.  Sole use will not be granted unless under exceptional circumstances.

Hut fees for non-members are currently £5-00p per person per night.