Savage Slit is one of Scotland’s classic rock routes, high up in the Cairngorms topping out on the summit of Cairn Lochan. For years it was graded V Diff, which in Scotland can mean anything from Diff to VS, usually first climbed by hard men in big boots who didn’t feel the cold…..Recently it hasContinue reading “Savage Slit”
Category Archives: Scotland
Loch Mullardoch – Blog
4 days of backpacking around Loch Mullardoch in some of the wildest country that Scotland has to offer. 55km, 5000m of ascent (and descent), 12 Munros and 3 nights sleeping above 800m. Add in a few midges, a lot of rain and poor visibility and you’ve got an epic adventure. I keep a diary onContinue reading “Loch Mullardoch – Blog”
3 Peaks
26 hours, 3 countries, 3 peaks. 23 miles and over 3000m of ascent. 2 hours sleep and a lot of driving……Why exactly did I sign up to this again? I joined Teesdale and Weardale Search and Mountain Rescue Team (TWSMRT) as a trainee back in March 2021 and their annual fundraising event is a NationalContinue reading “3 Peaks”
Sgor Gaoith
Another early start, another deteriorating weather forecast, but enough of a weather window to climb a Munro and get most of the way down before the bad weather arrived. That was the plan anyway. We started from Glen Feshie, about 3km south of Feshie Bridge and were walking by 8am. Surprisingly enough someone had beatenContinue reading “Sgor Gaoith”
The Cairngorms
The joys of winter walking with a 9 year old in the highest Scottish mountains 😀. We were in Boat of Garten for a few days during October half term and I was keen to get out into the hills. Hannah, my 9 year old daughter, would rather spend her days playing Minecraft, but enjoysContinue reading “The Cairngorms”
The Mamores
The Mamores. 10 Munros, 3400m of ascent, 21 miles, 2 wild camps and perfect weather. Narrow ridges, rocky summits and views that stretch for miles under a deep blue sky. Scotland at its very best. The best trips are often those planned at the last minute. The weather forecast was good, I had a clientContinue reading “The Mamores”
Galloway
A short visit to Gatehouse of Fleet in Galloway. No high mountains to climb, probably just as well as I am accompanied by three young girls and an elderly dog. Despite this, the Fleet Valley always feels wild and peaceful, a hidden gem. Very few people visit here and the birds and animals thrive. IContinue reading “Galloway”
The Far North
North of Ullapool the landscape changes. Gone are the high mountains and deep valleys of the Highlands. Instead there is lumpy gneiss moorland sprinkled with tiny lochans, with majestic peaks such as Suilven and Quinag rising above the moors in spectacular isolation. This is the far north of Scotland. We climbed Quinag first. There isContinue reading “The Far North”
Handa Island
Blue sea, deserted white beaches, sightings of dolphins and home to thousands of sea birds, Handa island is a small piece of paradise. At least it was while the sun was shining and until the midges came out. It’s situated just off the far north west of Scotland, an hour’s drive north of Ullapool. AContinue reading “Handa Island”
Campervan Adventures
We did well to reach Edinburgh. 3 hours through the rain and wind driving an automatic for the first time. Many apologies to the man in the red van who was following as I lurched twice round the roundabout at Morpeth, wondering whether to focus on driving smoothly or figuring out which exit I needed.Continue reading “Campervan Adventures”
Wild Places 