Wild Lochaber Blogs
The latest bleats from the sheep on the street...
Blogs (web logs) and blogspots provide a unique insight into Highland life and nature in Lochaber and The West Highlands.
We have put together a collection of Lochaber blogs to highlight the traditions, culture and wildlife in the various regions, including the West Coast Islands.
We show entries from the last 100 days, organised by region, topic and blog. The titles and text snippets give a taste of each entry with direct links to the main blog entry on the host website. We hope you will find time to explore the full articles and further information on the host blog sites.
Please feel free to contact us if you have any suggestions for blogs you would like to see here.
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Think of it as a mid-life crisis motorbike, but without the motor. Actually, don't. I've already had several of them and I'm probably past mid-life now. Just think of it as a treat to myself. My excellent road bike is showing its age. My gravel bike is great, but a...
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From our anchorage off Brodick it is a five mile cruise to Lamlash, where we board the inflatable to head for the dock on Holy Island. Thomas Pennant, writing in the 1770s, had this to say of Holy Island.The Lord of Buchanan gives this the Latin name of Molas from its having been the retreat of St...
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The first Woodland Creation project to be planted with our own trees was carried out over spring 2020 and completed spring 2021. Now the 17,500 trees have been planted the next step is the maintenance and after care. Going in and cutting back or digging out the brambles to begin with has helped the...
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The large tunnel has served me well and is brilliant although I have found in spring especially when there is a mixture of seed trays and stock left to grow on for a further year it is impossible to get the watering right as one thing is either over or under watered… in an attempt to help...
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In June/July 2021 Hannah and Frodo completed the whole trail in under two weeks. They have some great advice for doing the shuttle at the end of the trip, and some warnings for anyone thinking portages around tricky bits might be easy - they're not. Hannah has kindly...
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First seeds to germinate and be brave enough to poke their heads above the soil in the erratic spring weather was Sycamore on the 3rd of March! Roughly 3wks on they were ready for transplanting. Next up was Hawthorn, followed by Rowan and Birch. Disappointing germination considering the...
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How big is kayak fishing in the UK? More to the point - how big will it become? Because in the US it is big.Pesda Press (who also publish my book) clearly think there is potential to grow. Hence this new publication in their Practical Manual series. It's the first on the subject this side of the...
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I think the inversion today was better than yesterday, from the central Cuillin we could see all the peaks above the cloud. The objective for the day with Donald and Suzan was Sgurr a Ghreadaidh and Sgurr a Mhadaidh, Donald’s last of the Cuillin and Susan’s last on her second round....
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I see that it is nearly two weeks since I last posted. Here are a few items from that period. John has found Luzula luzuloides (White Wood-rush) by a woodland path on Eigg. This is a neophyte that is grown for ornament, naturalised in woods and by shady streams, scattered throughout most of Britain...
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Nevis Range Mountain Experience is delighted to announce that from July 2021 they have become an accredited Living Wage employer. They are also a Fair Work Employer ensuring that all of their practices meet Fair Work Requirements as set out by the Scottish Government. Living Wage The management...
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I have one of those ‘X years ago’ type reminders on my phone of photos taken on this date. For most of the last 18 months it was the sort of thing you would not want to look at as it just reminded you of the Beforetimes when there were friends to be with, places to visit and a life...
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A truly wonderful day in the Cuillin. A muggy walk in and slog up the An Stac screes brought us unexpectedly out of the cloud. We were treated with a giant brocken spectre being made by the summit of Sgùrr MhicChoinnich. Fortunately we arrived at the In Pinn with no other teams climbing or at the...
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Blog 19/07/21 The hot weather has finally reached Lochaber, and as I write a Ringlet flitted past the front door of Glenloy Lodge. Perversely, as we enjoy the sunshine, the emergence of the first Scotch Argus of the season heralds the impending demise of summer and summer insects for us. August is...
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For most of us, climbing, mountaineering and hill walking are all nice ways to spend our free time, ways to stay fit and healthy and to give us a wee boost when we are feeling a bit down or when we need a bit of breathing space. For some people, spending time outdoors, in the mountains,...
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The Mythical Kelpie If you grew up in Scotland it is likely that you have heard of these legendary creatures. They are the subject of many fables, folklores and much curiosity, and almost impossible to describe! According to Scottish legend, a kelpie is a shape-shifting aquatic spirit, believed...
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rpt The Nevis Range Mountain Experience, near Fort William in Lochaber, is delighted to announce that from July 2021 they have become an accredited Living Wage employer. They are also a Fair Work Employer ensuring that all of their practices meet Fair Work Requirements as set out by the Scottish...
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A delicious side dish for any meal. Ingredients 500g Ardtornish Kitchen Garden kale 40g butter 1 Ardtornish Kitchen Garden garlic clove, sliced MethodTrim and discard the tough stalks from the kale and roughly chop the leaves. Rinse well, then shake dry. Melt the butter in a frying pan and gently...
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Formal gardens Grass cutting is now well underway and some of the larger lower lawns are being converted to native wildflower meadows where appropriate. This will increase biodiversity of the gardens encouraging wildlife and increasing pollinators which are sadly in decline. Paths, edges and picnic...
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Anyone with any information or possible sightings of Gizmo or who thinks they could help search for him, can call Natalie on 07903 484 385. The post Hunt for missing dog, Gizmo, extends to Lochaber after possible sighting appeared first on The Oban Times.
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Go Naked Veg Ltd will use it for three months to fulfil local deliveries to addressess around the town rather use one of its vans. The post Oban’s ebike idea a ‘wheel’ help appeared first on The Oban Times.
