Friday 12th September 2008: An intrepid expedition ventured into the wilderness, or at least, for the time being, into the comfort of a remote Perthshire hostel. BSA Scotland's third 'Walk and Talk' social and fundraising weekend was held in the breathtaking surroundings of Glenshee. Seventeen people came along for the adventure - a mix of people who stammer; speech and language therapists and friends; some old faces, some new. Five of us travelled up in a car from Edinburgh, squeezed together with rucksacks and home-baking on our knees. Together we would all have an eventful weekend none will likely forget.....
On the first night, delicious meals were prepared, over the consumption of which, close companionships quickly formed. Soon after dinner, everyone was having a merry time joking, laughing, singing and chattering. It was not 'til the wee small hours that people began to drift off to their beds.
Saturday 13th September 2008: Started as it meant to go on: energised! Unfortunately, the clouds had really closed in, yet this, instead of dampening spirits, only further fuelled the group's enthusiasm, especially amongst those who climbed the three Munros - Carn a' Gheoidh, The Cairnwell and Carn Aosda. All were sustained by the heavenly nectar of Mrs McAleese's home-made tablet! One walker commented "As ever, the walking was made pleasurable by the opportunity to engage in leisurely and fluid conversations with a variety of folk over a long period of time."
Even those who kept their feet on flatter ground seemed to carry the same spirit, whether going on low-level walks, visiting the local Spittal of Glenshee Hotel, preparing dinner or lighting log fires for the return of those climbing.
When the Munro-baggers finally got back from the mountains they quickly dried off, heated themselves in front of the open fires and settled down to their scrumptious dinners.
Later, I performed a monologue on the parallels between cross dressing and stammering that was well received by all present. My fondest moment of the weekend was when two participants put themselves forwards immediately afterwards and sang 'My Favourite Things' from the Sound of Music. I was deeply touched by their gesture of solidarity - thanks girls! Then everyone settled down to play a long and extremely difficult version of charades until we all gradually made for bed.
Sunday 14th September 2008: First thing, everyone felt a bit groggy - less from socialising the night before, more because of the activities during the previous day. However, the prospect of further outdoor activities childishly perked most people up, especially when the sun finally showed its face. As someone happily elaborated, "We tried our hand at archery and tree climbing - with most of us managing not to end-up upside-down thirty-five feet in the air" (with the exception of BSA Scotland's former Convenor, John 'Spider-Man' Mann!) A participating speech and language therapist added, "I challenged my fear of heights by completing a 40ft tree climb. It just shows that you can desensitise to fear, providing you are supported by others, which I think relates well to stammering." The activities were enjoyed in warm sunshine, with the remains of our home baking for extra energy.
As the end of the trip drew near, we walked to the "disturbingly tartan" Spittal of Glenshee Hotel where we had a lovely lunch, before setting off home.
The last words, however, go to David Martin from Fife, who summed up the feelings of participants, saying, "The 'Walk and Talk' weekend was a great experience. I met with many other people who stammer and we got to know each other whilst climbing over the cold and misty Munros of Glenshee. The accommodation was perfect - and with everyone taking their turn at cooking and cleaning the whole weekend ran smoothly. Can't wait 'til next year!"
By Campbell Lauder, Edinburgh
September 2008
From a non-stammering friend
Where do I start? Darren, my neighbour of some two years decides to tackle me over a fleeting comment I made regarding my exploits on the high ground some of us call mountains. "Yes", I said, "I am fully conversant with Ordinance Survey maps and the maths you need to decipher where you are". A few weeks later Darren suggests that I go on a Munro bagging crusade and teach him the rudiments of map reading and, more importantly, how to get up and down safely. We had a couple or three goes on various Munros, then Darren hits me with another request... "Would you like to come away for a weekend with me?" That got me thinking, me being a married man and all that. After sorting out the sleeping arrangements and the likelihood of a pub in the vicinity, I agreed to go. Nearer the time Darren hits me right between the eyes with, "It's the 'BSA Scotland' annual foray into the wilds of Scotland".
"BSA Scotland?", says I.
"Yes. 'British Stammering Association Scotland'"
"What are you talking about Darren? I don't stammer."
"No. But I think you will enjoy the 'craich'. And they intend to do two or three Munros..."
"I'm in", I said.
"Oh, did I tell you that we have to do 'jobs' while we are there?"
"No..."
"Yeah, it's just to keep costs down, you know, it's the sort of thing you did when you used to Youth Hostel..."
"OK... I'm still up for it." I said, "Put me down for whatever job you are doing."
I then left all the arrangements with him...
| More from participants:
"Walk and talk weekend - a place you can be yourself, stammer as much as you like, meet up with friendly people, do things you have never done, see beautiful scenery (when the mist clears!) and have a lot of fun. You go home refreshed."
"A warm hearth, good cheer, communal cooking and free-flowing wine made up for any dreichness in the Scottish weather."
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Two days before we leave for Glenshee...
"COOKING!!!!!?, ... says I (followed by a few expletives). "COOKING! FOR HOW MANY?"
"We'll be fine. You can be my 'commis chef'", Darren spits out in fits of laughter.
"What have I agreed to?", I wondered.
The weekend arrived and Darren and I set off in good spirits .... We arrived at Gulabin Lodge around 3pm on Friday and having been given our accommodation, we had a quick 'recce' of the kitchen in preparation for our evening task of feeding the group. (I normally only cook for me and the wife.)
All seemed in place so Darren, in his infinite wisdom, cracked open a bottle and away we went. A glass or two of wine later, and we were in the throws of preparing a full-blown dinner for 17 people. "Risotto", I screamed at Darren, through a muddled, hazy brain. "I have never cooked risotto before". "Don't worry?, he said, "You are MY commis chef and you're peeling veg and grating cheese". In view of my partial stupor (noticed by a keen-eyed Jan), I am surprised nobody found bits of finger in the food. Apparently it all went rather well and everybody appeared to enjoy the meal.
Saturday morning and we were off to the hills after a good breakfast. Luckily, we were starting about two thirds of the way up the first Munro from the car park. After the wine and the odd bottle of 'Innis & Gunn' the night before, it was a blessing in disguise. Cloud base was about three feet and we were hard pushed to get a view of anything, but this didn't deter us and we were up the first summit, 'Carn Aosda', in what I would call 'record time'. One down, two to go.
A very boggy traipse off to the second Munro, and no let up in the weather, and my back was starting to feel the effects - but I was sort of enjoying the thrill of three Munros in one day so I thought, "Stuff it, grit your teeth and just do it". Trying to teach Darren map reading skills in those conditions was extremely demanding and having to pay attention to every detail on the ground was taxing as we were both feeling the effects of over indulgence. Summit number two was 'Carn a Gheoidh'. Two down, one to go.
'The Cairnwell' here we come. Backtracking over what looked like a moonscape, passing the odd bird or two and numerous hares ... With the cloud so low (or were we up so high?), it made for an eerily quiet time, apart from our own voices. A fairly steep ascent, and we were at the top of what looked like a scene from 'Ice Station Zebra'. Radio-masts, a couple of shacks - all that was missing was the ice - but it was pretty chilly anyway. Three down.
Now, the thought of getting back and cooking for us all again was not filling me with joy, but once we were showered and changed, a new lease of life came over me. Jan, my saviour, stepped in and suggested taking over my cooking duties for Saturday evening and who was I to argue? "Are you sure Jan?", I asked feebly.
That was the best curry I have tasted outside an Indian restaurant without a doubt! Thank you chefs! Food really does taste better when you haven't had to cook it yourself.
Darren and I couldn't stay for the Sunday activities but hear they were good fun. Sorry we missed it.
Next year, I hope I get another invite to come along as a guest, as I thoroughly enjoyed myself and loved meeting everyone.
Thanks to Carolyn for organising such a great weekend.
Take care,
Brian Buckley
Note from Jan
BSA Scotland annual 'Walk and Talk' weekends are offered at cost, this year £45 for hostel accommodation and catering. Participants are encouraged to raise sponsorship for BSA Scotland on the Munro climb but this is entirely optional. For those attracting sponsors this year, the cost of the weekend was further reduced to £35. Around £1,000 was raised towards our running costs. In 2009 we propose to hold the weekend in June, exact date and venue to be confirmed. Please contact BSA Scotland to express your interest. The event is open to people from Scotland, elsewhere in the UK and beyond...
Jan Anderson, BSA Scotland
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