Tag Archives: Cairngorms

In Praise of Scotch Pies and Carn á Chlamain

Posted on August 22, 2012 by

A man needs sustenance in the mountains. There is nothing finer than a Scotch pie . . . Continue reading →

Posted in Climbing, Cookery, Cycling, Food, Highland Clearances, Hiking, Mountains, Scotch pies, Walking | Tagged , , , , | 31 Comments

Beinn Dearg – A Teenage Dream

Posted on August 10, 2012 by

I LIKE Beinn Dearg. It’s a mountain with character way out in the backcountry. And I like the sound it makes when people pronounce its name correctly. It’s like the call of a bird or the noise of a rock … Continue reading →

Posted in Climbing, Cycling, Drove roads, Environment, Hiking, History, Mountains, Walking | Tagged , , , , , , | 14 Comments

Marching as to War – on Beinn á Ghlo

Posted on July 31, 2012 by

BEINN Á GHLO is a fine massif. It rises above Glen Garry in a series of stony peaks and ridges that swoop into wild country away to the east. There are three Munros in this majestic group of hills – … Continue reading →

Posted in Camping, Climbing, Environment, Hiking, History, Mountains, Politics, Ranting, Walking | Tagged , , , , | 26 Comments

First Class Ticket to Glas Tulaichean and Carn an Righ

Posted on July 23, 2012 by

A LAND-ROVER track runs all the way to the summit of Glas Tulaichean. Purists would lash themselves with nettles rather than contemplate such a route. My cherished Scottish Mountaineering Club guidebook suggests an ascent up a neighbouring ridge through tussocky … Continue reading →

Posted in Climbing, Environment, Hiking, History, Mountains, Walking | Tagged , , , , , | 18 Comments

Devils’ Points and Angels’ Peaks

Posted on July 10, 2012 by

Climbing the Devil’s Point, Cairn Toul and the Angel’s Peak – and Queen Victoria and fish suppers . . . Continue reading →

Posted in Camping, Climbing, Environment, Hiking, History, Mountains, Walking | Tagged , , , , | 22 Comments

Carn á Mhaim and the Wondrous Eco-Friendly Toilet

Posted on July 2, 2012 by

Carn á Mhaim is a fine mountain. And there’s a fine rest room, in the middle of nowhere, at its feet . . . Continue reading →

Posted in Camping, Caving, Climbing, Environment, Hiking, Life, Mountains, Potholing, Walking | Tagged , , , , | 12 Comments

Driesh, Mayar and a Ruin in Glen Clova

Posted on June 27, 2012 by

Whisky, ruins, and a climb in the mist up two Munros . . . Continue reading →

Posted in Climbing, Highland Clearances, Hiking, History, Mountains, Walking | Tagged , , , , | 18 Comments

Mount Keen, The Mounth, and a Pan of Polish Borscht

Posted on August 4, 2011 by

Mountain climbed, you need good food to finish the day . . . Continue reading →

Posted in Allotments, Beetroot, Borscht, Climbing, Cookery, Cycling, Food, Hiking, History, Mountains, Walking | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

The Smell of Men (Monadh Mor and Beinn Bhrotain)

Posted on June 23, 2011 by

There’s smoke on the wind – and the unmistakable aroma of men who have spent the night in a bothy . . . Continue reading →

Posted in Climbing, Environment, Hiking, History, Mountains, Walking | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

Snakes Alive on Cairn Bannoch and Broad Cairn

Posted on June 21, 2011 by

There’s a snake in the grit. It’s an adder. And there’s an old man with gold teeth and a raven with black beady eyes. Must be time to eat a scotch pie . . . Continue reading →

Posted in Climbing, Hiking, History, Mountains, Walking | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

On the Road from Dundee

Posted on June 19, 2011 by

YOU drive for hours along weary roads to quiet mountains. And as midnight strikes you chance upon a remote lay-by in the middle of nowhere – a place to snatch some sleep. But officialdom has left its mark in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Environment, Hiking, Mountains, Politics, Ranting, Walking | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Me and Carole King on Beinn Iutharn Mhor and Carn Bhac

Posted on September 8, 2010 by

THE big mistake of the day is to gaze at the horizon and mouth the words: Way Over Yonder. This rattles a brain cell that has lain happily dormant for about 35 years, and before I’ve left the car park … Continue reading →

Posted in Climbing, Hiking, Hunting, Mountains, Walking | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment