Despite an unusually warm winter so far, there is still enough snow in pockets of the Cairngorms to put skins on the skis and enjoy some ski mountaineering with a bonus ski down, admittedly it's a bit rough at the moment!
For up to date information on snow, lift and piste openings, avalanche warnings & web cams go to:
It has been perfect weather this week for team building events and we have been making the most of the facilities at Drummuir Castle, so that guests with limited time can make the most of it!
The Highland Games season continued this month for Sporting Scotland, introducing international groups of 80-650 partcipants to throwing the haggis, tossing the caber, hammer throw and tug of war. They all embraced the team challenge and had a hilarious time.
For more information on Highland Games and where they are being held, the Scottish Highland Games Association website is excellent.
Having recently completed a kite surfing course in Kenya, we are pleased that Xan Woods is joining our team this month, so that Sporting Scotland can offer this exhilarating sport to our clients here in Scotland.
Kite surfing is the fastest growing sport in the world today. Being high adrenalin, low cost and low impact, as well as offering superb sport on water and snow this is no surprise.
It takes 3 days to gain a full International Kiteboarding Organisation Certicate, which enables you to safely manage your kite and hire gear all over the world.
Für unsere Kunden haben wir ein Gratisexemplar hier in Schottland vorliegen wenn Sie mit uns einen Event oder eine Reise buchen.
Das Buch bietet einen Einblick in die traditionelle Küche der schottischen Highlander und ihrer gälischen Kultur.
Schottland, auf drei Seiten umgeben vom Atlantischen Ozean und der Nordsee, war und ist bis heute reich an hoch geschätzten Spezialitäten. In diesem Buch finden Sie sowahl eine Auswahl an ursprünglichen und rustikalen Rezepten von den Feuerstellen der Schäfer, Fischer und Kleinbauern, als auch von den weltbürgerlichen Taflen der Clanchefs. Darüber hinaus bietet dieses Buch Einblicke in die damaligen Tisch - und Tafelsitten und viele Informationen rund um die historischen Kochküchen und Utensilien.
http://www.felix-ag.de/look/044_lookinside/
In last week's blog, there is a close up of me in my new tangerine helmet climbing the Coich Nose. Not only is this helmet easy to spot anywhere on the hill. it is the only helmet that meets requirements for adventure sports such as mountaineering, canoeing, kayaking and mountain biking.
As all sport is also about the kit - this PETZL METEOR III is the perfect choice and weighing just 235 gramms it's hardly noticable in the rucksack or on your head! If you don't like tangerine - it comes in two more subdued colours - but hey, you want to be seen
...was to climb Cioch Nose, near Applecross in the Torridon Mountains (one of UK most exposed severe climbs), beginning with a long scramble down to the start of our ascent of the rock face...
...still smiling...
...before following Malcom...
...and then Keith...
...and the long way out...
YES !!!! The end of a spectacular day !!!!
They made it to San Francisco despite re-routing twice!
First after being chased off the highway by highway patrol and then later escaping a tunnel without a cycle lane in rush hour.
They have been clearing phenomenal mileages of up to 102 miles a day, and are now well on the way to Santa Cruz. Hopefully without any detours!
To follow Keith and Malcolm's epic trip to Mexico on the google map, see their amazing pics and support them:-
By the way each download of the track below contributes 50p to cycling4heroes.
iTunes Napster AmazonRhapsody
Although the cycling is still challenging with rain showers and subsequent changing in and out of rain gear frequently, Keith and Malcom are only 3 days from San Francisco. The Photo is taken in a Giant Redwood Tree forest.
No question who will win!
To follow their progress on the google map and blog or donate:-
By the way each download of the track below contributes 50p to cycling4heroes.
iTunes Napster Amazon Rhapsody
Good that Keith and Malcolm did most of their training in the wet and windy conditions of our Speyside summer as they are unfortunately experiencing more of the same in the States.
Strong head winds have been a serious impediment, but despite this they are on target with up to 80 miles a day. This week although soaked and hammered by the elements on a series of massive climbs en route from Seaside to Pacific City, they still welcomed " a very long climb as the highlight " the very next day!
To follow their progress on the google map and blog or donate:-
By the way each download of the track below contributes 50p to cycling4heroes.
iTunes Napster Amazon Rhapsody
On Wednesday, Keith Dickinson and Malcolm Lee take off to the States on another extreme cycling expeditions, this time from Vancouver to Mexico to raise money in support of Help for Heroes.
Keith and Malcolm are both retired from the Royal Air Force, and when they are not training or guiding an expedition, they instruct for Sporting Scotland. So we will be tracking their progress on this grueling 22 day venture avidly through their blog.
It promises to be an exciting read!
To follow Keith and Malcolm on the road to Mexico and donate contact:-
www.cycling4heroes.com
Although, Highland Games are supreme tests of strength attracting athletes passionate about competing in traditional events such as hammer throw, caber tossing.shot put and weight for height, they are also great activities for visitors to both watch and participate in.
This month Sporting Scotland has organised Highland Games for large groups from Brazil, Portugal and Venezuela, and despite the daunting look of some of these sports all groups competed fiercely for their prizes of special vintage whiskies.
While at the Edinburgh Festival last month, we were handed this flyer for Ian Rankin’s Edinburgh, which coincides with the launch of his latest novel set in the city during the August festival season, “Mortal Causes”.
This free application is both an excellent comprehensive guide for the visitor to Edinburgh as well as a brilliant supplement to his Detective Rebus novels, and its audio visual material offers an exciting insight to the city.
After 4 nights camping with the family en route to our final destination in France, I am writing in praise of the Outwell Jersey Pop-up Tent. This tent takes literally two seconds to assemble. All you do is throw it in the air, having checked the wind direction first and it is up. Then you need an additional 30 seconds to secure it with the tent pegs, and it is finished. We only used the guy ropes in high wind.
This tent takes all the stress out of camping, and you can get straight on with finding a meal or enjoying what the location has to offer.
Our trout pond has been restocked with brown trout from Craig Ireland's Dalfour Hatchery. His Inverness Fish Farm is the only organic fish farm in Scotland, so they promise to be good for fishing and tuition.
This winter has given us plenty of challenges getting around in the snow. Today we had to pull equipment out of the snowbound Oakhill site, and once again the inflatable kayak came up trumps. It has been such an indispensable piece of kit this winter. I hauled out a clay trap, 2 boxes of clays and other essential equipment for today's event pretty painlessly. I recommend it to anyone living in remote areas, and judging by recent news footage even less remote places. Incidentally it is also the best fun for taking off down a hillside in as it is very forgiving over bumps and clocks up some exhilarating speed.
