New Winter Skills Courses in association with Glencoe Mountain Resort.

Hebridean Pursuits Ltd est 1989 in association with Glencoe Mountain Resort are offering Winter Skills Courses this coming winter season. Click on snow sports and then courses on their website for details. The resort offers an ideal training area and has plenty of scope for a variety of terrain to put into practise the skills taught during the day. The bonus is we can access the hill quickly as we are offering up lift as part of the course package. Initially the courses are of one day duration. Instructed by highly experienced and appropriately qualified instructors /guides the days will concentrate on three themes: Winter Walking Skills, Winter Navigation and Ski / Board Mountaineering. Courses can be arranged for groups, clubs, schools, colleges, and individuals.
We also have use of a hut on the mountain as a class room  and there is a great cafe at the base station for apres course refreshments. For more information and bookings contact Andy Spink 07721778821 or on hebpursuit@aol.com

Climbing and Camping on The Island of Erraid, Mull.

Liam Irving on the Pink Walls.

The last two days I have been instructing on Erraid an island just off the Ross of Mull. The island is home to some of the best single pitch rock climbing in Scotland. Short, but steep and powerful climbing generally located off grass ledges above emerald seas and white shell beaches combine to seduce all climbers to make a visit to the mecca of pink granite. It's a perfect place to both learn to climb or be guided. Routes of all grades and styles abound. Hand jamming is to be savoured and if steep wall climbing is your preferred option there are plenty of such routes to be had.  Worth a visit.

The colours of outside on Mull today.

Wet days often produce beautiful images and today was no exception. I took this photo on Mull during work today on the shores of Loch Scridain.

Heading to Erraid to camp and climb tomorrow with our group of clients so a marked improvement in the weather would be good for all and it looks like it will do just that.

Mull, the ocean, mud and new winter courses for Glencoe.

Hebridean Pursuits are back at Tavool House working with the North Argyll Young Carers project this week. The usual adventures and mayhem are on the cards the young people for the next seven days! Climbing, coasteering, canyoning, camping and gorge walking will all be included.
The bad weather which was forecast for this morning has hit the shores of Loch Scridain with vengeance. Inspite of pretty horrible conditions we headed out to the gorges, the ocean and found some mud on the way!  Rather exhilarating it has to be said.

Thinking ahead to the winter HPL are now offering Winter Walking Skills courses, Navigation courses and Ski Mountaineering Courses based out of Glencoe Mountain Resort. The courses will be up on their web sites very soon. The Courses will include 'up lift' thus making accessing the hill a little more enjoyable and giving you more time to learn the skills.  HPL will also have a new website in the near future, all very exciting times.

 Rather muddy conditions today, great fun!

 The shores of Loch Scridain

Winter Skills courses coming to Glencoe Mountain Resort this winter....watch this space for details!

Tullachan Trust on a Roses Project residential to Tavool House on Mull, Running up Ben More and Currachs and loads of food!

This week Hebridean Pursuits Ltd have been hosting a residential at Tavool House Outdoor centre on Mull. 13 very chilled out and charming young people made the week so special in so many ways.
One of the most delightful groups I have ever worked with.

Whilst coasteering at Uisken Bay today we saw a Currach which had been rowed in from Ireland, it seems to be a theme of this month as I keep seeing them.

Fresh mussels tonight for tea has finished off a big eating week!  Food was essential as alot of energy has been used this week. To cap a great week off I also ran up Ben More 966m with Ben Wallace in one hour!

Working at the South Islay Festival of the Sea.

Traditional boat building is alive! Approx 7 seven days to build this fine craft! She was launched this afternoon.

 Port Ellan loads of fun to be had!

I haven't been to Islay for a few years so it was fantastic when Hebridean Pursuits were invited to work at the Festival. HPL are coasteering guiding and day one was very busy indeed! We did a lot of swimming today...

Islay is beautiful, it is a very varied island with great hill walking, surfing, mountain biking, sea kayaking and fantastic bird watching all to be had.  And of course the whiskey is amazing.

The  festival of the sea is a brilliant example of community spirit and organisation. Sailing, games, dances, films and tradional boat building all playing their part.
We have been lucky with the weather as its been dry most of the last two days!

I look forward to day 2 and more coastal experiences.

Walking on the Island of Ulva and the Boat House Cafe.

Today we were over walking on the beautiful island of Ulva. Ulva lies just off the coast of Mull and offers a wealth of lovely walks both short and tough depending on your preference. It is reached by a short ferry ride across the sound and at the ferry pier there is fantastic cafe called the Boat House. If you enjoy fresh sea food this really is the place to stop, have a glass of white wine and a plate of shell fish. Followed up with sumptuous cake and coffee!  

Working on Mull. The Roses Project at Tavool House Outdoor Centre.

This week we are working out on Mull with the Edinburgh Young Carers group. Days one and two have seen the entusiatic group team building, gorge walking, climbing and exploring the beautiful beaches of the Ross of Mull. Tavool House is an amazing base for such residentials and the food is second to non in outdoor centre settings! The weather has been kind to us and today was dry yet again at the crag.