Dave Jinks sums up how the gathering started. 2009 was yet another bumper year filled with various activities for the Fire Brigade team.

Here we have is from Dave:


First Trip to Glenmore Lodge

"10th - 17th February 1990 Our first visit to Glenmore Lodge at a cost of £13 per day with all equipment including ski boots and skis, our numbers were around 40 places and we shared the Lodge with students on BASI courses. Rooms were in the north and south wing and had bunks for four people, and no space to swing a cat.
The upstairs lounge had a very poor solid fuel fire which never got hot and would fill the upstairs with smoke, we all felt very much at home.
Caroline was in charge of catering and she and her staff provided 1st class food just as it is now.
Trips into Aviemore to visit the Winking Owl and The Red McGregor were the order of the day, and night.
The weather was wonderful deep snow blue skies."

"Both ourselves and the Lodge work within a safety culture and it became obvious that in order to maintain the Lodge's good name then we must insist that all newcomers take the safety courses even if it has to be subsidised by the walking sections funds. Without tempting fate we have had a very good safety record."

The Fire Service have been coming every year since, averaging 70 per year. Some go out in their own groups to climb, walk, ski etc. others take part in the various winter courses that the lodge provides during the week to gain experience in this mountain environment.


17th of June 1986 Inaugural Meeting of the Walking and Mountaineering Section of FSSAA.

6th - 10th February 1989 Glen Coe (Kings House and Squirrels Bunk House)

Following a visit to Glenmore by Vince Meehan of Cheshire FB it was agreed to approach Glenmore and find out if they would be happy to receive us on a self-programming basis . The Lodge used to have what was called a GREEN SPOT WEEK when all the instructors were on leave and rather than have the rest of the staff not working, Andy Anderson the Principal of the Lodge agreed provided we were better behaved than a previous visit of Police Officers (Don't Ask)

10th - 17th February 1990 Our first visit to Glenmore Lodge at a cost £13 per day with all equipment including ski boots and skis, our numbers were around 40 places and we shared the lodge with students on BASI courses (they found it difficult to talk to us). Rooms were in the north and south wing and had bunks for four people,and no space to swing a cat.
The upstairs lounge had a very poor solid fuel fire which never got hot and would fill the upstairs with smoke, we all felt very much at home.

Caroline was in charge of catering and she and her staff provided Ist class food just as it is now.

Trips into Aviemore to visit the Winking Owl and The Red McGregor were the order of the day, and night.

The weather was wonderful deep snow blue skies.


Many thanks to Dave for giving us an insight as to how it was back in 1990. A great gathering was had yet again this year. As you can see from the photo above blue skies (again) and snow!

posted by glenmore @ 4:25 PM