A lost camera, sleet and sunshine in Glencoe Today

Looking back from Stob Coire nan Lochan to The Little Buachaille and beyond.

Today I was out with the third year students form UHI degree course in Adventure Tourism. We were concentrating on 'incident management' up on the craggy slopes of Stob nan Cabar. We descended via the stalkers path  from Stob Coire Raineach and at about 400m on the path is where I think I dropped my camera, hence no photos from today. If anyone ever finds it please let me know. A contrasting day as the pulses of sunshine, of sleet and near gale force winds blasted their way through the glens. It felt very cold on the summits and dare I say it winter didn't seem far away.

Working visit to Pembrokeshire.

Monday afternoon Coasteer. Sweet!

Be warned!!!!

Over the last couple of days I have been in Pembrokeshire at Abereiddi Bay. I have been doing some work looking at Coasteering venue on a legal witness basis. It was fabulous to be back down in this wonderful part of Wales and revisit some old haunts. It was great to be back in the fantastic city of Cardiff  as 25 years ago I finished my three years at Art College Degree there. A long way but worth it. Back in the office for a few days then working again in the mountains. Never dull.

Climbing Coaching in the rain.

Yesterday I got drenched! Some what unusual as this particular area is the driest on Mull and certainly has an amazing track record of dry sessions for us over the years. Erriad offers fabulous single pitch climbing as does the surrounding area. Pink granite abounds and we have managed over the years to find some new and interesting climbing. often remote the wee crags offer steep and challenging face and crack climbs. All good fun!  Today was glorious and so so warm in the low sun and crystal clear skies. The Hebrides are special places if you haven't visited you must. After what has been the most stunningly dry summer, it has proven to be the Jewel in the crown for Scottish adventuring.

Walking guiding and bothying on the Island of Ulva.

6 am this morning.

Inch Kenneth from Ulva.

Looking towards The Wilderness.

Ben More in the background.

I have been guiding the Nomads group from Nottingham on the beautiful Island of Ulva over the last two days. The weather has been mixed but as usual at this time of the year the light has been incredible.  A northerly air flow and low sun has resulted in some fine landscapes. The island offers enjoyable coastal, lowland and hill walking. The wildlife spotting was pretty special as well. Otters, Sea Eagles and a Sparrow Hawk all spotted this morning.

All the leaves are brown....

The Fall has arrived in the Highlands. Brown is the colour at present, but what stunning tones those browns are!  I am working with a group of adults with special needs from Nottingham this week out on Mull. Guiding hill walks, island camping on Ulva and some adventures in the water thrown in.

Back in the sea today.

Wet, windy, lumpy seas and colder today. Coasteering was chosen by our group, so Coasteering it was! And loads of fun was had by all.

Climbing Instruction on The warm Ross of Mull today.

After yesterdays cloud and gales today was a positively tropical day. The granite was warm and the sun burnt our skin. We were down at Knockvologan with 12 folk form Edinburgh coaching climbing on the delightful School House crag. We have been visiting this crag for over 20 years and it never ceases to amaze us how wonderful a venue it is for teaching on. Set above the white shell beaches and emerald seas it is unique. The weather is changeable but after days like today no one is complaining.

Obscured by clouds, well nearly!

Autumn is here on the west coast, but the sun still shines in bucket loads on Mull. It's feeling a little cooler in the burns but the sea is still warm.
I am working out at Tavool House Outdoor Centre on Mull this week on a Roses Project residential for a group of young carers from Edinburgh. It's their second trip over this year and it is great to see a couple of faces from the past couple of years return.
A strong wind is blowing up the Loch but the gorge was sheltered today and the water levels almost perfect for a fantastic journey to the sea.

I love this time of the year as the berry's are nearly ready to harvest, the mushrooms are poking through and the deer are lower down the hill beginning to ready themselves for the Rut.  The sun is lower and the hills purple with heather. The slight scattering of sleet on the tops added a real sense of change to the seasons.  I am getting excited for the winter season and our courses are filling up so plenty of time on the hills is envisaged and plenty of amazing landscapes to be seen.

A variety of work last week, never a dull moment.

Last week was fun packed working week. From a 4 day Coasteering expedition around the  Ross of Mull, Indoor climbing skills instruction for The University of the Highlands  / WHC to Coasteering Technical advice and in house staff training in Ayrshire for the Dolphin House to Hill walking in the Galloways.

I am back on Mull at Tavool House now with another group of young carers form Edinburgh, a week of adventures has begun. It feels cooler but the sun is shinning over Loch Scridain.

First Ever Coasteering Duke of Edinburgh Gold Expedition

Over the last four days HPL have been organising and supporting a coasteering expedition on the Ross of Mull. Andy Spink originally suggested the concept, then Mark Nicols of Glenalmond College organised a group of pupils to take part in the unique challenge of four days of coasteering for a Gold Award qualifying expedition.

Scoor Bay, day 4.

Wash overs on the north coast of Kintra. Day 3.

Andy Spink on day 2 after a long swim off the island of Erraid.

 

We coasteered around the Ross of Mull, enjoying a variety of rock types, environments and mixed weather. The weather on the whole was ok but at times pretty grim as gales lashed the Ross and the sea was whipped into frenzy off the Torran rocks. Each day we coasteered for approx 5 to 7 hours and as they were camping each night the participants camp craft had to be spot on. We spent allot of time swimming from point to headland and through exciting cliff zones. Some cross country navigation was needed to make egress and much fun was had! Well done to all and especially to the young folk who passed the expedition. A major achievement and they made history..Hebridean Pursuits are an Approved Provider for Duke of Edinburgh for expeditions and residential for more info call us on  01631720002.