Cairnsmore of Carphairn Bagged.

Change of foot wear this weekend for Glorious mud!

Galloway hills always quiet.

Ben exploring the campsite at Knockengorroch.

A fine summers day at 797m.

Red Kite Yurts, can be rented, so cosy..

This weekend I managed to take a Bank Holiday off! We headed down to Galloway to the amazing and very family friendly Knockengorroch World Music Festival, which takes place on the most lovely private farm just under a Corbett I hadn't done, so a perfect opportunity!

An early start and one and half hours later we were in the cloud, sleet and wind, summer hey!

These hills are rolling but very pretty and so quiet, even when the sun comes out, so if you are looking for an escape and some great bothies then head to Galloway. Pleased to say the sun shone for the rest of the weekend!

HPL has groups out with us this week out on Mull, Coasteering and the Staff Team had a great day guiding a college group Ben Nevis last Friday, pleasingly the weather was better than forecast!

Colborne Youth Service form Kensington Visit Tiree

Abseiling and looking cool!

Coasteering, exploring the sea, rocks, waves and yourself!

Tiree is covered in the most beautiful white shell beaches.

Learn to surf with our instructors.

Team Building should be a laugh.

Just had a few photos sent from one of our instructors. They were working on a Roses Project Residential HPL based out on The Isle of Tiree. Based at the Hynish Centre, this school engagement programme was utilising our services to offer alternatives to not attending school. Using a variety of outdoor activities the young people returned to Kensington much more positive and empowered.

Tiree is the sunniest place in the UK, and offers a fine selection of water sports and rock sport activities for all abilities and age groups. The Hynish Centre is very comfortable and an ideal base for these residentials. HPL are back out on Mull and Tiree over the summer and looking forward to working with a variety of organisations and loads of young people.

Day 2 of BRAWA Coasteering leader assessments on Jersey

Ice Plant is everywhere on Jersey.

Happy Jersey Coasteering Leaders.

One of many fabulous bays.

Big Air at Beauport, but get the tides right!

Day 2 on Jersey and the swell returned making for excellent sessions at Beauport. With a 36 tide and dropping it made for dynamic decisions for jump sites etc. The 3 foot swell created great fun play spots and some fun open water swimming.

The two days have been really successful, everyone passed so consolidating the island providers skills, professionalism and competencies.

Coasteering is going through a very positive UK wide development at present with the Formation of the National Coasteering Charter Group, a body representing all our interests.

British Rock and Water Association skills training courses are run for organisations and individuals alike. If you would like to know more or book onto a course contact HPL or Andy on 07721778821

HPL are organising a BRAWA skills training course for the AMI in October based in Dundee. If you coasteer, are a member of the AMI or are keen to experience what it's all about then please come along on October 1 and 2nd.

BRAWA Coasteering leaders assessment on Jersey

La Cotte Island, great climbing crag.

Rich going for air at Beauport.

Swim lines and rescue scenarios.

Pete at De lecq on lovely granite.

Today was the first day of two days of assessments I am running down on Jersey. The conditions are really calm at present, small swell and lights winds have made for lovely journeys along this fantastic coastline. We used two different venues today, Beauport and Greve de lecq. Both have fabulous coasteering journeying potential, with great jumps, gullies, caves and climbing.

In the evening, after the assessment I was then working for Absolute Adventures Jersey as their Technical advisor. We were checking out rock climbing venues this evening, The best venue was La Cotte Island a tidal crag with some fine crack lines on it. With a 36 foot tide, timing was crucial today and a little concerning whilst climbing because I didn't want be cut off for a few hours!

Tomorrow is day two of assessments and another four people will be assessed at another two venues. HPL offers Coasteering technical advice to organisations, run Coasteering skills training courses and coasteering guide assessments year round.

A great days Canyoning in the Allt a Mhuilinn. Day 3 of UKCG Fast Track Course.

Another inspiring day out with Rich Carlson of the American Canyoning Association. The water volumes were steadily rising today so fun was had by all in the canyon. We concentrated on all things rigging and anchors. We made some wacky anchors, from human anchors to very small cairns and some very useful single rope techniques for descending fast volume water. A great three days, thanks to Ben for a great course.

I head off to Jersey in the morning for a few days, to run some British Rock and Water Association, Coasteering Guides Assessments, more water just a little more salty.

http://www.hebrideanpursuits.com/

UKCG Canyon Guides Course Day one.

Rich Carlson, American canyoning guru.

Tools of the sport.

By passing knots and all that jazz!

Today, I was taking part in the first of a three day Canyon Guides Course based in Onich. Today was based around ropes, knots, abseiling past knots, ascending past knots and all manner of rigging and belay funky systems. Based on the American Guides Course and instructed by Rich Carlson, this fast track course offers those who are involved with canyoning a chance to learn and workshop techniques not often seen or used in other vertical sports.

The Amazing North Coast of Scotland.

one of many beaches.

Ski session, at an unnamed break.

soft landings, white shell bouldering.

Strathy Bay, all on my own!

We have just had two weeks of fantastic weather on the North Coast. The swell lasted for five days and died, but the sun remained and we were able to find soft landings off beautifully warm rock at sea level. We hung around Strathy Bay and Sango Bay, both north facing and catching what swell came in. Long board sessions, wave ski evenings and bouldering all in the baking sun! We explored the Tongue peninsula and the impressive Smoo Cave. If you fancy a surfari then get in touch, HPL can organise trips to these World famous surfing breaks, for surf kayakers, boardies or ski paddlers.