After the rain comes the sun again!

It's been wet up here for a whole two days and for once I have been happy to be inside working. So here are some rainbows to cheer you up!
Taken on Tiree, Mull, Argyll and from my sea kayak.

Outdoor Kit for Sale.

Those on a bargain hunt for good condition outdoor gear may find this post attractive!
Please pass onto others if you think of interest.

Outdoor Kit For Sale.

• Patagonia Puff Ball ¾ length zip Jacket. Black. Med used £25.

• Patagonia Expedition weight fleece. Short zip. Grey. Med. £15.

• Rab Over Trousers. Event fabric, full side zip. Med. £50.

• La Sportiva. Glacier Gortex Mountaineering Boot. Size 41. £60

• Burton Snow Sports rucksack. 35 / 40 litres. £30

• Burton snow sports rucksack 25 litres £25.

• Macpac rucksack. 55 litres. Excellent condition. Purple and blue. £50

• Snug pack sleeping bag. Merlin Softie 3. £30

• Thermo Rest ¾ length sleeping mat. £30

• MSR expedition xgk multi fuel stove and bottles. £30

• MSR Pocket Rocket stove. £20

• Lowe Alpine Ice Line Gortex Jacket Med. Red and Grey. £30

• Black Diamond Sabre Tooth Crampons. £35

• La Sportiva Trango Extreme, Winter / Alpine boots. Size 41. £60

• 'Camp' light weight Rock Climbing Harness [ m ] £25
  
  
  Clothing package:

• Alpine Trousers 32 waist, Patagonia Thermal [new], Patagonia Fleece Grey [Med], Hagloffs Gillet, black [Med], Mountain Equipment Synthetic jacket, Black [m / l]. £90.

Contact.

Andy Spink.

07721778821

Positive Feedback on Roses Project residential experiences.

It is fantastic when we receive very positive feedback from group leaders, the young people and the visiting organisations management. The Roses Project is unique experience on so many levels. A huge amount of time, fund raising, energy, dedication and trust is invested to create these outdoor experiences for young people and is made all the more worth it when we read such testimonials. The Roses Project was formed in 1990 and has worked with and for over 12,000 young folk since. The courses are mainly based at Tavool House on Mull but we are also peripatetic and can offer a wide range of activities where groups are based. Thanks to Tullochan for their belief and support, can't Wait for the next adventures.


As a youth worker, there is always a feeling of uncertainty when visiting a new venue/centre and working with staff/instructors who you have never worked with before. Having met with Andy Spink to initially discuss how we could work together and also through Andys visit/presentation to the groups, we were confident of having a positive experience but ‘you never know until you go’.

From the moment we got on the Ferry at Oban, I had a really good feeling about the week(s) ahead and when we arrived at Tavool House, I knew all the groups were going to have a great time. 
The young people we had given this opportunity to have been involved with Tullochan for some time and most of them hadn’t had the opportunity to attend a residential before so we wanted to reward them for their commitment, hard work and positive attitude they have shown over the last few months and years.
 Our main outcome was for the young people was for them to have new and enjoyable experiences while having to push and challenge themselves and this was easily met and surpassed!
The young people all had an amazing time and although they found some of the activities challenging or a bit scary, everyone pushed themselves to ‘face their fears’ and overcome them. The activities also had the young people working together, communicating and figuring out and appreciating each others strengths and weaknesses which are vital tools to have in relation to employability and life in general.

Andy, as lead instructor was able to strike the perfect balance between sometimes having to be firm and clear when relating to matters of safety and discipline to at other times being able to laugh and joke with the group. He was also extremely professional, very knowledgeable and clearly experienced at not only leading the activities but also dealing with the young people as a group and as individuals.
The other instructors, Ben and Dan were also very professional and great with the young people and really helped bring out the best in them.

Another big positive was that we had the place to ourselves. Having been at other bigger centres in the past where other groups share the premises, this can cause various issues so it was great for the young people and staff to not have to worry about this feel totally relaxed and comfortable in their environment.

Overall, the accommodation, food, activities and their locations, staff (and dogs) combined to give the groups an experience they will surely never forget and just about everyone (young people and staff!) are already looking forward to returning in the future.

Personally, I hope that the relationship between Tullochan and The Roses Project can grow and develop in the future to provide more young people with the same fantastic experiences.

Thank you from all at Tullochan !

David McLean
Senior Project Co-ordinator
Tullochan

Ben More on Mull.

Juggling!

Back at home in  Oban this week. A momentous week as my son Ben started school. And yes i cried watching him look slighlty lost amongst the big boys and girls inthe play ground. 

Everyone at some stage has to spend time inside and so it comes to pass, my turn to drive the desk and make the calls, do.the sales, fund raise, plan, etc, etc.....

Hebridean Pursuits made it into the Oban Times this week with an article thanking all the sponsours for their kind donations towards the North Argyll Young Carers residential on Mull with the Roses Project. With out the generosity of the sponsours the deserving young people wouldn't experience such an adventure course. 

It seems a little strange even thinking about winter, yet most of  today was spent organising staff for winter courses which are booked up already. Winter Walking Skills, Mountaineering and  intro climbing weekends are now in the diary. Here's to it snowing November onwards. And with our new association with Glencoe Mountain Resort winter courses its looking exciting and busy. 

Before that HPL have some Coasteering Skills Training courses lined up and a couple of SlSGB Coasteering Rescue Awards running and some travelling around to a variety of locations to do Technical Advice work. 

From Thursday until next Monday HPL are organising and supporting the first ever Duke of Edinburgh's Gold Assessment.expedition in Coasteering. Based on Mull it should be challenging and exciting! 

The weather has held so far so fingers crossed we get some high pressure  for the expedition.

Multy Activities on Mull this week.

The weather has been fabulous again out on Mull. We have only had 3 hours of rain during activities all week! A group of young people have been on a residential with the Roses Project based at Tavool House on Mull. We have Coasteered, Climbed, Canyoned, Challenged and generally had a blast. They have it has to be said wanted to be in the water all the time. The Roses Project courses are fully booked until the end of October yet

schools, youth work projects and young carers groups are already booking in for next spring and summer. If you are interested to bring a group to Mull for a unique and probably one of the best Outdoor activities residentials in the UK please contact, www.hebrideanpursuits.com or call 0631720002.

The Island of Mull. Not a bad summer so far.

Back on Mull for another weeks work of adventure activities with HPL

> The summer has been great on the Island considering that else where it has been really damp. A few images here to show how wonderful the Island is and highlight the unique environment we work in. Autumn is not far away but for now we will enjoy the warm seas and longer days. The heather is turning purple and the berries are growing fast, but we are not quite ready for winter yet!

Climbing Instruction on The Ross of Mull today.

The sun has shone for 13 hours on Mull today. The rock was warm to touch and the balmy breeze kept the midge away as normal. This unique aspect of the islands makes it so worthwhile. We headed down to the south shore of Mull to climb on a crag just above the emarald seas and white shell beaches that make this area so beautiful. We are working with a group from Glasgow this week and they made the most of the fine conditions. This part of Mull is often the driest and offers great climbing for all abilities.

Very warm seas and Coasteering on The Ross of Mull.

I was coasteering today at Uisken Bay on Mull. We were guiding on the last day of a Roses Project Residential based at Tavool House. www.rosesproject.com The warm water and welcome sunshine made the bay feel and look like a Greek beach. Crystal water and open swims, mixed up with jumps and some climbing all added up to a fine day for all