We've all been there, haven't we? The start of a climb, a journey or even just a busy day. We've all thought it to be a bit too much, a step too far, and it's all got on top of us. There are various options when we feel like this. We can let the task [...]
There are very few sounds out with nature, that can evoke as much emotion as the sound of the Great Highland bagpipe. The haunting tone can send shivers down the spine, and move the toughest person in the world to tears. The bagpipes are most associated with Scotland, however, the impact it can [...]
Life is funny isn't it? We work so we can enjoy life that little more, but then work so much that we can't enjoy life. My feelings this week, as I woke up at 5 am for work every morning were along the lines of "just get me to Friday so I can go out [...]
The sad passing of my Grandfather (Papa) earlier this year, as the passing of loved ones often does, prompted a lot of thought and re-evaluation. As well as the obvious personal loss, it really put to the forefront of my mind, a lifestyle, which is sadly being slowly lost in the 21st century. We often [...]
2015 was a bit of an anti climax in terms of getting out in the hills. A combination of poor weather, work uncertainty, and injury, restricted my Munro count to only 10. This would have made for a very disappointing year, had it not been for the development of the piping side of my venture! [...]
It is a question that is often asked of me, and to be honest, I don’t blame them. Why would someone want to throw a heavy musical instrument in his back, cart them up a mountain, just to play a tune on the summit? The question has entered my head on numerous occasions. Many times, [...]
So, 2015 had been very slow to start properly. It was June, and to date, I had only managed one Munro, due to a combination of work, poor weather, and injuries. For this reason, I was quite nervous about getting back into it, especially if it meant going out by myself. I sent out my [...]
One of, if not THE, most iconic mountains in the United Kingdom, and very much a symbol of my childhood drives from Glasgow to my holidays in Glenelg and Arnisdale before moving north. Buachaille Etve mor, is such an imposing structure, and from certain angles, looks extremely difficult to climb. My mother used to tell me [...]
We came back to reality with a bump, as we returned to the Glasgow area, and Greenock Morton was the next stop. The ground, again like a few others, is not situated in the best of areas, and wasn’t the most enjoyable visit, especially as we never got into the ground! Like Firhill before it, [...]
Final day, home straight and finish line in sight! Today we had to tick off a couple Central belt grounds, before heading south and west, before finishing up in Glasgow again. First up, was Hamilton, and possibly one of the surprises of the tour. Apart from having a nice little new stadium, much like many [...]
It is amazing, for such a small country, the difference in local cultures in Scotland. Having spent the morning and early afternoon in the North East, we were not re-entering the central belt of Scotland. There is just a different vibe to all these places, and especially as begin talking to people. Stirling Albion were [...]
Up, breakfast, in the van, gone! That was basically our morning in Keith. Straight on to the road, heading east to Aberdeen, via Peterhead, where we were to meet Ian’s brother David to let us in. Unbeknown to Ian, we had a trick in store from him. David, who had a key, claimed to not [...]