This morning mapping out an orienteering and survival training course behind our base at Corglass and en rroute to our other site at Oakhill.
Events
February 07, 2012
Ski Moutaineering - Cairngorm
Ski mountaineering is the most exhilarating way to get away from the hustle of pistes and lifts. And a climb up the Cairngorms Mountains brings the bonus of some of the best scenery in the UK.
A review on some of the new gear we use will follow.
January 25, 2012
Where the hell are we???
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!
I was lucky enough to get SKI MOUNTAINEERING IN SCOTLAND, the Scottish Mountaineering Club Guide, edited by Donald Bennet and Bill Wallace. This book is considered to be the best guide to date. Unfortunately it is not easy to get hold of it but well worth trying!
For up to date information on snow, lift and piste openings, avalanche warnings & web cams go to:
September 21, 2011
Highland Games Events - September 2011
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.
September 01, 2011
Kite Surfing
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.
Highlander Kochbuch
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/
May 13, 2011
The Universal Helmet
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
May 01, 2011
Our alternative to watching the Royal Wedding ...
...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 !!!!
December 07, 2010
October 08, 2010
cycling4heroes -through San Francisco onto Santa Cruz
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.
Download the track Heroes Grass is Green
in support of Help for Heroes
Please visit your favorite MP3 store:
iTunes Napster AmazonRhapsody
October 04, 2010
11 days down - 11 days to go
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.
Download the track Heroes Grass is Green
in support of Help for Heroes
Please visit your favorite MP3 store:
iTunes Napster Amazon Rhapsody
September 29, 2010
www.cycling4heroes.com - progress on the road to Mexico
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.
Download the track Heroes Grass is Green
in support of Help for Heroes
Please visit your favorite MP3 store:
iTunes Napster Amazon Rhapsody
September 20, 2010
www.cycling4heroes.com - on the road again!
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
September 14, 2010
Highland Games
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.
September 13, 2010
Ian Rankin’s Edinburgh - Free Iphone Application
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.
July 29, 2010
Instant Camping
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.
June 11, 2010
Organic Trout
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.
May 06, 2010
March 02, 2010
Winter uses for Kayaks
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.
January 17, 2010
Arctic, yes - but Speyside...?
After the big freeze the big thaw! This caused big ice sheets on the upper Spey to break up and float down towards the sea. Some of these are as big as barn doors and nearly a foot thick. A really amazing and unusual sight here at the Blacksboat Bridge at Ballindalloch.
These photos were taken on the opposite bank of the Speyside Way
