Members present: Mark Garrod, Michelle Harvie, Dave Whittingham, Jeremy Engineer, Dave Lygate, Andrew Croughton.

Potential members: Ian (Brue) Brewer, Jason Davis.

Given the reasonable forecast, fine accommodation, 12+ hours of daylight and the long journey, most people decided Friday was best spent extending the weekend - good decision.

Team Keen - Dave W, Jason and Ian, having arrived at 2am Friday morning (yep, we heard you) - headed off into Sneachda, despite some slight melting worries, and picked off Red Gully, a grade III route. Everyone had 1 pitch as leader. Dave claims that was his first winter route of the season, despite going on 3 Scottish meets. It seemed to keep them happy for the day, and the evening as well. Michelle and I, being made of lesser stuff, let the "Cairngorm Ski Ambassadors" (people who can talk a lot and want free ski passes and a snazzy jacket) talk us into skiing on Friday. What do you know; no wind, and enough runs open to lose most people who were around - a fine day.

Saturday managed to get slightly warmer and windier, sufficient to persuade Team Not-Quite-So-Keen that a gentle meander around the scenic Loch an Eileen was what they needed. Jeremy, Dave L, Andrew, Michelle and I made for the top of Cairngorm, and from there, braving the 40-50MPH arctic winds, Andrew and Dave dropped down to Loch Avon, and up Beinn Mheadhoin (Vain) -the centre of the Cairngorms (that's what Mheadhoin means!). By all accounts, a good, hard days going. The rest of us took an easier route round the tops of the Northern Corries, back to the car, then headed off (independently) for Loch an Eileen for the scenic views. Dave and Andrew's mate D'Al Whinnie dropped in to see them at the hut very early Sunday morning, but obviously couldn't stay long at all - no sign of him on Sunday morning proper.

Sunday saw Dave L, Andrew and Jeremy hit the slopes, physically as well as metaphorically, M&M did a lower level walk through the Ryvoan Pass, and Team-Gentle-Does-It very kindly cleaned up the hut kitchen before heading south.

Mill Cottage (NH 844 047) has excellent accommodation 15 minutes from Aviemore in the Cairngorm mountain range.

Ideal situation for winter climbers, skiers and walkers alike, guaranteed weather on the hills and a real fire to welcome you back to the hut.

In order to find out what weather conditions are guaranteed simply book your place by handing over £10 to me as soon as possible (limited to 10 places) come on the meet and make the most of the last of the Scottish winter conditions, in one of the finest mountain areas in Scotland.

Mill Cottage is on a forestry commission site just off the A9 full directions on how to find the hut are in the back of the handbook or see me closer to the date.