SMC Club Hut March 1977 – January 2019
For many years the Club ran its own cottage in Dinas Mawddwy, mid-Wales, called Bryn Golau. Its location provided us with excellent access to the Arrans, the Rhinogs and Cader Idris. Club members enjoyed many fabulous meets in this beautiful location, not to mention a fair few trips to the local pub, Red Lion, where we enjoyed some excellent meals and an odd pint or two!
Bryn Golau was once a shepherd’s cottage and is situated next to a little stream with superb views out across Dovey Valley (Dyffryn Dyfi). The cottage was a ruin when the club came to it, being little more than a pile of stones. The rebuild and conversion to a mountain hut took place over a number a years during the 1970’s. The members of the club raised the funds and did all the work themselves over a period of eight years. It was a monumental task, however the work was completed in March 1977 when the hut was officially opened by Nick Estcourt.
Throughout the years the cottage gave pleasure to many visitors. It was featured in the July 2009 issue of Trail magazine: TM Video – Byrn Golau Cottage
Unfortunately in recent times, usage of the hut declined and the on going maintenance requirements became difficult to manage. So with heavy heart, the SMC decided it was time to say good bye and in January 2019 we closed the door to Bryn Gollau for the last time. The cottage will always have a special place in the hearts of SMC members and memories of all the great times we had there will be part of the club’s history for many years to come.
Our feelings are best summarised by club Chair, Jo D.
‘I would also like to thank everyone who has been involved with the hut over the past 40 years who have given their time, a huge amount of effort, money, as well as blood, sweat and tears – especially those who designed and built it and those who have put in the hours so we have had opportunities for many adventures, happy times, stag and hen parties and plenty of fun’