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.
Alan Halewood
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The first route of winter is always an occasion. Today i was treated to a grand day out with 2 good mates, Jamie and Iain and some great snowy winter conditions. I enjoy the classics when in good condition but scratching around on Cairngorm Granite before the buildup or Ben ice routes with no ice...
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October is traditionally when I take some family time during the half term holidays. This year we decided to take the kids to Morocco to give them a first taste of somewhere a little more exotic than Mallorca and as adventurous as last year's canoe trip in Canada.It was a roaring success. We spent...
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MH Scrambler 30 on a dry day on Buachaille Etive MorOver the past 2 months I’ve been testing a Mountain Hardwear Scrambler 30 Rucksack from Nevisport. It arrived just in time to accompany me as my daysack on a 4 week trip to Greenland where it was in constant use. Since then its done 17 graded...
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On my way home from Wales I stopped off to run a Mountain Training Scotland Climbing Wall Award Training Course at Perth UHI Climbing Wall. 3 people came along on the course including another AMI member Jess who was there to get an insight into the differences between working outside and at the...
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The ABC began in 1994 as an informal organisation for Climbing Walls to discuss issues of mutual interest. By 1997 it grew into a more formalised members association open to a wider range of walls. Today it is a large organisation representing the greatest body of knowledge on good practise in the...
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At the weekend I was working with Sandy Paterson for Mountain Training Scotland on a 2 days workshop looking at how we Train and Assess NGB Candidates. Those attending were a mix of newer, experienced and aspiring Trainers and Assessors and it was great to see everyone sharing ideas on how to get...
Guy Steven
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The crag!After a good study of the forecast it looked like we were going to have to climb high. As two became three, then three became four, we had a very sociable team with plenty of motivation to share around...which is exactly what you need for the walk into the North facing cliffs of Stob...
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The early starts are worth itFor me, the Scottish winter season will come to an end very quickly. I am due to be in the Alps from mid December until April. So my intention is to cram a seasons worth of climbing into one month! Is it possible? Doubtful! However, if last...
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The Grey CorriesBefore I could go climbing for myself, I was out working with Grahame who has some gift vouchers to redeem. Great present idea from his brother! We had planned for 3 days but unfortunately the weather didn't play ball so we just had two. Great fun as always.Cruach...
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A crag with a view to TelendosOver the last 11 seasons of winter climbing I realise that it is far more enjoyable after a good trip sport climbing or even rock climbing to round off the summer season. As I spend most of the season trad climbing, I find it quite enjoyable to go sport climbing...
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Alan preparing for the unexpectedAfter a short stop off in the Lake District to see the family, I was itching to get back onto the hill. I had secretly missed Ben Nevis and the great climbs there. My regular client Alan has been recovering from a broken ankle and hand so has had very...
Kirkhope Mountaineering
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Although I had a great day of early winters work on Ledge route a couple of weeks ago today really felt like winter started for me. The first route of the season and Dave and I decided to gamble on a little-known crag on Carn Dearg Mheadhonach.We abseiled in to have a look around and although...
The Mingarry Blodge
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Earlier this year we headed out on The Jacobite steam train from Fort William to Mallaig. Often described as one of the most scenic railway journeys in the world, our journey on this historic steam train did not disappoint. The steam train journey along the West Highland Railway is very popular so...
Arisaig Community Trust
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The Arisaig Community Trust AGM was held at the Astley Hall, Wednesday 15th November 2017. A new board was elected comprising Julie Gordon, Iain Macniven, Pamela King, Peter Fleming, Judy Budge, Jane Foster and Paul Sheard. Julie was elected as Chair, with Iain as Vice Chair and Judy as Treasurer....
Anna Raven | Artist's Notes
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After a day of walking no further than the outside latrine (these days known as a composting loo) yesterday I decided to walk to the pier which has a cafe, shop and Wi-Fi hot spot. There was no point waiting for the weather to improve and so, although I didn’t put on my waterproof...
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I have now been here for six days and have moved from one hut to another, this time on the west side of the island where there is no internet or phone signal without a walk. Lucy, who owns Sweeney’s Bothy has been very kind, but is now away and her husband has allowed me to use their house...
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The view of the mainland fades in and out. The hills merge and emerge. Sadness washes in and out like the tide; like the waves as with the mist. Showers of fat rain soaking me to the skin in minutes as I struggle to find a signal to the outside world. As darkness falls, a waxing moon reflects on...
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Notes from Eigg. 1st October 2017 Throughout 2016 I arranged and attended several residencies: in February I came to the Isle of Eigg for three weeks; in April I went to Shetland for a month where I returned in September for a further two weeks, having become fascinated by the outer coastline....
Volunteer on Eigg
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As our season has drawn to a close I would like to thank our 2017 volunteer team for what must be one of the most productive volunteer seasons to date! Each and every volunteer gave their utmost enthusiasm and energy to every day even when faced with more brambles and bracken! We wouldn’t...
Dave MacLeod
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On the headwall of Testify 8b, Loch Maree Supercrag last weekend. Yesterday, on the first ascent, these lovely rough Gneiss crimps were a wee bit wet in the pouring rain, but they are incut enough I could get past them. Photo: Chris Prescott/Dark Sky MediaIn May I got a chance to visit the...
