Glencoe Community Defibrillator

During Octoberfest and Febfest we usually try and raise some money for the Glencoe Mountain Rescue Team. However this October we decided to raise money for another local and worth while clause. The Glencoe Community Defibrillator. There will actually be two defibrillators installed. One outside the Glencoe Ambulance Station and the other outside the Ballachulish Medical Centre.

We managed to raise £200 over Octoberfest by donating all money raised from our Pool Competitions and Pub Quizes. There was also money raised by our customers who kindly put a donation in the collection box on the bar which the ladies picked up today. They tell me they have so far raised £3000 of the £4000 needed.

Head over to our website to see what else we do for our local community.

Scottish Secretary Drops By,,,

Glencoe Mountain Rescue Team has been fairly quiet as winters go. The hills have certainly been busy so perhaps everyone has been taking note at Clachaig's Winter Mountain Safety Lectures (- the next one is this evening, and FREE!)

 Trucks, cars, quad bikes, boats, mobile loud hailers and off roaders...

However, there's still plenty to keep mountain rescue in the news these days. Recently came the news that Mountain Rescue Teams will be able to reclaim VAT on equipment purchases, meaning that the donations that the teams survive on will be able to go much further than before. 

And then there's the recent uncertainty over the future of the Search and Rescue Helicopters, and how the service will continue now that the Sea Kings operated by the Navy and the RAF are coming to the end of their useful lives.

Or perhaps the concerns over the impact on Mountain Rescue if plans to merge Scotland's Police Forces to single force are followed through.

So, with various issues constantly bubbling away, it's nice to know that people are listening to those in the know. And nice to be able to play host to Michael Moore MP, Secretary of State for Scotland, who came along to the rescue centre yesterday, to speak to the Glencoe Team, and learn more about how the team functions.

You can read Michael Moore's press statement following his visit here.

Does what it says on the tin!

Clachaig Customers Donate £517

Got any small change, mister? So the saying goes as we ask you to donate your change at the bar once you've bought a round. And let's face it, we don't give you a lot of it.

Rescue Team members out training in some wild conditions

So, all the more pleasing to know that we've just handed over £517 to Glencoe Mountain Rescue, raised through the collection boxes at Clachaig Inn. Thank you from us, and thank you from them.

Handing over your small change is one way of donating to the voluntary team. Signing up with EasyFundRaising and donating while you shop online is another and it won't cost you a penny. More details on our web site.

Take care out there

A gorgeous day in Glencoe today. Bursts of sunshine now adding to the spectacular snowy mountains. But barely had the day started before Glencoe Mountain Rescue Team were again called out to another avalanche incident, this time at Glencoe Ski Centre. I don't think the off piste is recommended at the moment.

Drivers on the A82 found obstacles other than snow on the road today.

Enjoy the mountains, but take care out there. The avalanche risk is particularly high just now, and extreme caution is required. At the very least, check the Scottish Avalanche Information Service web site before contemplating a trip into the hills.

At Glen Etive road end, looking towards Glencoe Ski Area and the avalanche site

Closer inspection reveals 2 huge avalanche trails going nearly the full length of the mountain side

With the forecast looking like more cold but relatively settled weather, chances are the conditions on the mountains won't be changing very quickly. However, no problems on the roads (unless you want to drive down the old Kingshouse road).

Last night of FebruaryFest at Clachaig tonight. But not the last night of winter looking at all the snow out there!

Read the report on the BBC News web site.

Winter Continues - Part 2

A quick post script on yesterday's blog entry, in view of the fact that we're experiencing some rather exceptional winter weather just now.

Check the depth at Kinghouse on their web cam!

The horizontal blizzard at Clachaig is still raging, some 30 hours on, with no sign of letting up. I've spent most of this morning digging out our back road to the A82 to get staff into work, and then digging out our back road to get our residents out again. There's a bout 6 inches of slushy heavy snow between Clachaig and the A82. Fortunately, my trusty (should that be rusty!) Vito is in for some warranty work just now and the garage were kind enough to give me a 4WD Subarua Imprezza for the week (Oh, yes!)

The snow gates are now shut, keeping the road over Rannoch Moor closed for the time being. It seems that the Tyndrum to Oban road is open in the meantime, as towards sea level its mild enough for the snow to be melting.

I was up on the moor last night as again Glencoe Mountain Rescue were involved in another tragic mountain accident, involving an avlanche on Buachaille Etive Mor. Rescues apart, it has to be said that it was a wild night up there. And if now's a good time to remind you that you can raise funds for the team while doing your online shopping at stores like Amazon then click this link for further details of EasyFundraising.

So all in all, quite exceptional. Checkout the various links referred to yesterday, look at some of the blog links on this site or just email us at Clachaig or contact us through Facebook if you're looking for any more information about travelling to Glencoe at the moment.

Donate to the Glencoe Mountain Rescue Team, and it won’t cost you a penny!

The Clachaig Inn has long been associated with the GMRT, one of the busiest mountain rescue teams in the country. Whilst made up entirely of volunteers, the team relies heavily on donations to keep running, and for many years we’ve had collection tins in the bars at Clachaig.

However, in an attempt to do more, we’ve set up a scheme to allow you good folk out there to help us raise more funds every time you shop online. And the best bit? It won’t cost you a single penny! Furthermore, it only takes a few seconds of your time. “How?” You may ask. See our web site for more details.

So, get the kids to bed, light the fire, grab a drink, and get your Christmas shopping sorted from the comfort of your armchair. Sure, your credit cards might take a hit, but take some comfort in the knowledge that at the same time you’ve helped a worthy cause.