Scottish winter climbing
The magic of early winter in the Highlands
Exactly five years ago I was standing on a mountain ridge in Glencoe, spindrift blasting in my face and rejoicing in my first winter climb of the 2008/2009 Scottish winter season. It was an exciting time for me. I’d moved to the Clachaig Inn about a month earlier
The 2013 #Scotwinter Sweepstakes: place your bets!
We are on the verge of that special time of year when the mountaineer’s thoughts begin to turn to the big question: when will the snow return? For the UK’s highest mountains, summer is a brief pause. If you find yourself pondering the first snowfall question in August,
The mountains of my life: Ben Nevis
This blog post is part of a series of articles on mountains that have a special significance for me. See also: Bowfell, Tryfan, Stob Ban, Castor, and Aonach Dubh. Like most people, I first climbed Ben Nevis via the Pony Track: a relentless grind up the bleak western flanks of
An interview with Jamie Hageman, mountain and landscape artist
This is part of a series of interviews with authors, photographers, film-makers, and other creative people who all have one thing in common: a connection with mountaineering culture. Today I would like to welcome mountain artist Jamie Hageman to my blog. His extraordinary paintings are regularly exhibited, and thanks to
Scottish winter climbing: the future
I can think of no finer outdoor playground than the Scottish Highlands. These mountains, only a few hours by car from most of the UK, offer everything the outdoor enthusiast could wish for: spectacular scenery, world-class walking, kayaking and mountain biking, hills of every type from rounded lumps to jagged