#william hillwalker

[kittieshauntedourfantasy]

Haha yay new game I like

[scotianostra]

Adam Watson, the Scottish biologist, ecologist and mountaineer was born on April 14th 1930 in Turriff, Aberdeenshire.

From an early age, Watson showed considerable academic prowess. He was Dux of Turriff Primary School and of Turriff Senior Secondary School in Latin, English, Higher Latin, English, French, Science, lower History and Mathematics.

His education continued at the University of Aberdeen in the 1950s, gaining a first class honours in zoology and also the department of natural history's MacGillivray Prize. He gained his PhD in 1956 for his thesis on the Annual Cycle of Rock Ptarmigan, and a second doctorate in 1967 for scientific papers on populations and behaviour of northern animals.

The scientist studied and wrote extensively about plants and animal life in the Cairngorms. RSPB Scotland described Dr Watson, who research included studies of various upland birds, as "arguably the most knowledgeable Scottish naturalist and ornithologist of the last century".

Dr Watson was a well-known figure in Scotland's climbing and hillwalking community. He climbed extensively in the Cairngorms and in Scotland's other mountain ranges. He also climbed and skied abroad, including in Norway, Lapland, Canada and Alaska.

A John Muir Trust Lifetime Achievement Award was among other honours given to Dr Watson. The man dubbed Mr Cairngorms also received the Fort William Mountain Festival's Scottish Award for Excellence in Mountain Culture.

Watson’s research centred on grouse, his magnum opus on the subject, co-written with Robert Moss called Grouse, was a runaway bestseller.

A dam, a natural communicator in speech or the written word also appeared extensively on TV and radio in Scotland, his first broadcast was back in 1948 – Dr Watson’s enthusiasm for the sciences was never less than infectious, and he described his work in simple terms without resorting either to jargon or dumbing down. What made him loved by editors was his ability to read standard situations from a different viewpoint.

Watson’s literary output from the age of 14 runs to an astonishing 475 items including 22 books, hundreds of scientific papers and reviews and 175 unpublished technical reports.

In 1971 he was called to represent the Crown as expert witness at the fatal accident enquiry following the Cairngorm disaster in which six schoolchildren died. His quiet evidence drew not only on law, but on science backed by practical experience of the very worst of mountain weather. He surprised the Forestry Commission when he successfully opposed a particular development not merely on the expected ecological argument, but by astute demolition of the business case.

Doctor Adam Watson died after a short illness on January 23rd 2019, aged 88.

There's a great article taken from his journal that you can read at the link here https://www.ibsc.org.uk/thirty-miles-on-ski-adam-watson-april-1951/#

[toughgirlchallenges]

Gina Atkinson: From Royal Signals Engineer to Inspirational Fundraiser and Adventurer

Join us on this episode of the Tough Girl Podcast as we delve into the extraordinary life of Gina Atkinson, a former Royal Signals engineer with a remarkable story of service and resilience. Gina's military career took her to 30 Signal Regiment, where she visited  35 countries during her first five years of service.

Following a deeply personal loss in 2019, Gina embarked on a mission to honour her brother's memory by running/cycling 100 miles a week for a year, raising £10,000 for a local cancer charity and establishing an Art Foundation in his name. Her dedication did not stop there; Gina continued to raise over £250,000 for veterans' charities through a series of inspiring challenges and initiatives, including ultra races and solo adventures across Scotland.

In this episode, Gina shares her journey of coping with grief through fitness and adventure, her experiences in the military, and her passion for supporting veterans and cancer patients alike. From riding across Death Valley to planning her next challenge of running from London to France in 2024, Gina's story is one of resilience, determination, and the power of adventure to heal and inspire.

Learn how Gina's adventures and fundraising efforts have made a significant impact, and gain insights into her motivations, challenges, and the importance of mental health advocacy in her journey. 

Join us as we explore Gina Atkinson's inspiring story on the Tough Girl Podcast.

***

Don't miss out on the latest episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast, released every Tuesday at 7am UK time! Be sure to hit the subscribe button to stay updated on the incredible journeys and stories of strong women.

 By supporting the Tough Girl Podcast on Patreon, you can make a difference in increasing the representation of female role models in the media, particularly in the world of adventure and physical challenges. Your contribution helps empower and inspire others. Visit www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast to be a part of this important movement. 

Thank you for your invaluable support!

***

Show notes

Who is Gina

Being based on the Wirral, UK

Being a fundraiser for Veterans Charities 

Combining her fundraising with crazy adventures 

Growing up on the Wirral and why it’s an amazing location

Her early years spending time hillwalking in Wales

Joining the army cadets at 13

Deciding to join the army as an electronica engineer in the Royal Signals 

Being posted to 30 Signal Regiment nicknamed the ‘globe trotters’ 

Visiting 35 countries in the first 5 years 

Military memories from peace keeping missions

Volunteering at the orphanage in Bosnia 

Making the decision to leave the army

Wanting to make a second career and experience something different 

Starting fundraising for veterans charities almost straight away

Riding across Death Valley in America 

Getting involved in ultra races and going to see places at the same time

The Wall Ultra Race across Hadrian’s Wall 

Dealing with covid and losing her brother at age 52 to stage 4 bowl cancer

Coming up with the idea of doing 100 miles a week for 52 weeks - 5,200 miles in memory of her brother. 

Dealing with grief and needing a distraction

Coping with stress and trauma by fitness and adventure in nature

Not knowing the next steps

Getting post adventures blues at the end of the challenge/adventure

Backdoor adventures

Raising funds for ssafa the Armed Forces charity  

Meeting veterans and sharing stories and memories

Being an advocate for mental health 

Raising over £250K for veterans charities and winning multiple awards

300 mile solo adventure across Scotland (3 bucket list challenges in one) walking the West highland Way, paddling the Great Glen, and then walking back on the Great Glen Way to Fort William

Getting injured and needing to return in 2024 

Not taking a dip in lock ness

The planning behind the challenge ideas

Taking it from the idea to getting to the start line 

Sticking to the plan 

Using YouTube as a resource 

Testing your kit and making sure your food is nutritious and tastes good

Keeping positive while on adventures 

Motivation and discipline why you need both

Quote by D.H. Lawrence, “I never saw a wild thing sorry for itself. A small bird will drop frozen dead from a bough without ever having felt sorry for itself.” 

Going back to your WHY

Motivation from the GI Jane movie and Legally Blonde

Being inspired by the Queen 

The next challenge in 2024 - running to France from London!

Maintaining fitness levels while not on adventures 

How to connect with Gina on social media 

Final words of advice for other women who want to do more adventures 

Starting on your own fitness journey 

Why consistency is the key for training for endurance events

Try and enjoy it and remember why you are doing it

  Social Media

Instagram: @goliveit.onelife

Facebook: @GinaGinelli

Military Memories is an anthology of poems from the force’s community.Profits go to Military Charities SSAFA & Sporting Force.

Instagram @Militarymemories2021

Twitter @militarymemos

Book: Military Memories: Military Memories is a anthology of poems written by the forces community. The poems illustrate the journey taken by those who join ... families’ lives and also the trauma we face.

  Check out this episode!

[linneatanner]

J R Tomlin The Douglas Bastard Book Review #HistoricalFiction #MedievalScotland #BlogTour #TheCoffeePotBookClub @tomlinjeanne @cathiedunn

FEATURED AUTHOR: J R Tomlin I am pleased to host J R Tomlin as the featured author in The Coffee Pot Book Club Blog Tour that is being held between June 12th — June 23rd, 2023. J R Tomlin is the author of the Historical Fiction, Scottish Historical Fiction, The Douglas Bastard (Archibald the Grim Series, Book 1), released by the author on 26th April 2022 (185pages). Below are highlights of The Douglas Bastard, J R Tomlin's author bio, and my 5-star review of her novel. Tour Schedule Page: https://thecoffeepotbookclub.blogspot.com/2023/04/blog-tour-archibald-the-grim-series.html HIGHLIGHTS: THE DOUGLAS BASTARD       The Douglas Bastard (Archibald the Grim Series) By J R Tomlin Blurb: Young Archibald, the Black Douglas's bastard son, returns from exile to a Scotland ravaged by war. The war-hardened Knight of Liddesdale will teach him what he must learn. And with danger on every side, he must learn to sleep with one eye open and a claymore in his hand because even their closest ally may betray them... Buy Links for The Douglas Bastard: Universal Link:  https://books2read.com/u/4AAwdp Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0968X5V3Y Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0968X5V3Y Amazon CA: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0968X5V3Y Amazon AU: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0968X5V3Y Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-douglas-bastard-a-historical-novel-of-scotland-j-r-tomlin/1140930069 Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/ebook/the-douglas-bastard iBooks: https://books.apple.com/us/book/id1606972264 Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/J_R_Tomlin_The_Douglas_Bastard?id=AM12EAAAQBAJ ARCHIBALD THE GRIM SERIES     Buy Links for Archibald the Grim Series: Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0BDW1VJ61 Amazon US:  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BDW1VJ61   AUTHOR BIO: J R TOMLIN   J R Tomlin is the author of twenty historical novels. Her historical novels are mainly set in Scotland. You can trace her love of that nation to the stories of Robert the Bruce and the Black Douglas that her grandmother read her when she was small and to her hillwalking through the Scottish Cairngorms where the granite mountains have a gorgeous red glow under the setting sun. In addition to having lived in Scotland, she has traveled in the US, mainland Europe and the Pacific Rim. She now lives in Oregon. Social Media Links: Website: www.jrtomlin.com  Twitter: https://twitter.com/TomlinJeanne Book Bub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/j-r-tomlin Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/J.R.-Tomlin/author/B002J4ME1S Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4094154.J_R_Tomlin BOOK REVIEW: THE BASTARD DOUGLAS     The Douglas Bastard by J. R. Tomlin is the first book in the series about Archibald Douglas, the bastard son of James Douglas, during the reign of King David II in 14th Century Scotland. It is a coming-of-age story about Archibald, orphaned as a nine-year-old boy and exiled to France with the young king. Archibald is placed under the care of Sir William Douglas, with whom he returns to Scotland to take back castles and lands from the English, setting the stage for King David's return. Archibald rises in rank from squire to knight and ultimately fights in the disastrous Battle of Neville's Cross, where the king is wounded and captured. Author Tomlin has created an intriguing tale told from the first-person perspective of Archibald as he matures from an idealistic boy to a battle-hardened young man who becomes disheartened by the political machinations of noblemen pledged to fight for the king. Though conditioned to obey his superiors, Archibald sometimes disregards commands and openly questions Sir Williams' brutal act of capturing and murdering a rival, whom the king had appointed as constable of Roxburgh and Sheriff of Teviotdale. Vibrant descriptions of historical events ring true, such as a tournament hosted by the English during a temporary truce. The final chapters vividly describe the gut-wrenching horror of battle at Neville's Cross. Archibald fiercely fights to protect his king, but he soon recognizes the hopeless situation when disloyal commanders and their men retreat and abandon them. For those unfamiliar with the history of Scotland, it may be difficult to grasp how some of the characters are related to each other. The dialogue uses the Scottish dialect, but a glossary that defines the distinct terms is helpful. Those who enjoy reading medieval Scottish fiction should find The Douglas Bastard an intriguing start to the epic saga of the historical figure known as Archibald the Grim.   Instagram Handle: @thecoffeepotbookclub Read the full article

[gone2soon-rip]

JULIAN SANDS (1958-DIED January 13th 2023,at 65.Body found on June 24th,Identified June 27th).British actor and mountaineer,best known for film such as A Room With a View,The Killing Fields,Arachnophobia,and Warlock,and for rtelevision roles such as Vladimir Bierko,in 24,Jor El,in Smallville,William Jagger,in Crossbones,and voicing the character of Valmont,in the animated series The Jackie Chan Adventures.Sands is also known for being a skilled and passionate mountaineer,often finding joy in climbing mountains and peaks,and in hillwalking in his private life.He went missing on Jnauary 13th 2023,whilst climbing Mount San Antonio,more commonly known as Mount Baldy,in the San Gabriel Mountian range of Califdornia,USA. On June 4th,his body was foud,and positively identified a few days later,  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julian_Sands

[inevitably-johnlocked]

Five Fics Friday: Sept 10/21

Happy Five Fics Friday, everyone!! Got some new ones on my radar this week, check these out!! <3 Come back Sunday for a brand new list!

NEW MFLs THIS WEEK

Easy Scrambling by khorazir (M, 11,036+ w., 1/6 Ch. || Post-TAB / S4 Rewrite, Developing Relationship, Grief/Mourning, First Time, Folklore, Bed Sharing, Hiking, Nature, PTSD, Inexperienced Sherlock, Caring John, Past Torture) – According to a popular online dictionary, “scrambling” is a walk up steep terrain involving the use of one’s hands, with many easy scrambles becoming serious climbs in bad weather. The definition of easy scrambling varies greatly from one hillwalking guide – and indeed one person – to the next. For some, it’s a simple hike up and down a fell, for others it’s serious climbing bad weather or no. Sherlock’s and John’s fledgling relationship can be described in similarly vague terms: what should be an easy and straightforward progression towards greater intimacy turns out to be fraught with more difficulties than either anticipated, struggling with past hurt both physical and mental, and the inability to fully open up to their partner. A case in the Lake District brings things to a head as old wounds reopen, and unresolved issues make the two men scramble not just to return from the fells, but also to preserve and deepen their bond. Part 4 of The Summer Boy

Zen and the art of Casework Maintenance by silverwingcheeto (NR, 6,756 w., 12 Ch. || Travelling) – "The texts lead to a place on the island Lundy, right on the channel! If someone needed a hiding place for black market goods, delivered by drones, that would be perfect! There's not many people there, public signal is mostly non-existent, except right at a few holiday spots. It's not exactly here in London, but only the foolish criminals keep all of their headquarters where the work is done..."

Sanctuary by a_different_equation (E, 15,437 w., 7 Ch. || Medieval AU / Canterbury Tales Fusion || Blacksmith Sherlock, Guard John, Secret Relationship, Dom Sherlock, Sub John, Porn With Plot, Rimming, Blow Jobs, Anal, BAMF Female Characters) – England, 1230: John Watson is an ex-soldier who works as the head of the guards in his hometown. Sherlock Holmes, the local blacksmith, is his secret.

Proper Manners by Jade5687 (E, 40,449 w., 2 Ch. || Medieval Royalty AU || Class Differences, Religion, Post-War, Master/Servant, Identity Issues, Period-Typical Attitudes, First Time, Light Bondage) – Sherlock Holmes is a charming—if somewhat eccentric—nobleman who often spends time with John, an apothecary’s son. When John is offered employment at King William’s castle, however, he fears he will have to say goodbye to Sherlock. But in the end, they might actually become closer than before. Part 1 of the King William's Castle series

The Northern Prince by AceVampire (NR, 52,199+ w, 23/24 Ch. || WiP || Royalty AU || Hurt/Comfort, Religion, Arranged Marriage, Prince Sherlock, King John, First Time, Childhood Trauma, Strong John, Evil Mary, Betrayal) – John is king in what remains of the southern territory. His people are facing greater and greater struggles under the calculating eye of the northern king, Mycroft. While out on a hunt with his men, John stumbles upon the nearly lifeless form of Sherlock, the northern prince. Sherlock, it would seem, is nothing like his brother-- he despises Mycroft for all he's done; using their parents deaths as an excuse wage war in order to exercise his strength. But Sherlock has secrets of his own that he is desperate to out run. John concedes to let him stay in the south for a time, only to soon find himself falling helplessly in love.

[marginalgloss]

daddy do not

There's been a tendency in recent years for writing, in both fiction and non-fiction quarters, which goes 'back to the land' in some way. In one version of this an author rediscovers something worldly and outdoorsy in an old-fashioned way – fishing or hillwalking or wild swimming or birdwatching – and finds that, through close observation and adherence to an unfamiliar activity in an unfamiliar environment, they come to understand something about themselves. And something about the world, perhaps. 

The novels are a bit different. They go deep into particularities of local history, often all the way back to the dark ages, in search of something real outside strictures of property, ownership, and cultural division. Parallels between the present and the past are deliberate, sometimes to the point of being obtuse. I'm thinking here of books like The Wake by Paul Kingsnorth, where the bleak vision of England under the foreign rule of William the Conqueror becomes the setting for a fierce localism that pits its own mysticism against almost everything and everyone. What links these, I think, is a striving for the sense of being grounded. It is finding (demanding?) a place for the self that exists outside the patterns of success in the sense of self-help or self-care; something beyond career promotion and outside ambition.  

Elmet by Fiona Mozley seems like an offshoot of this tendency. The title comes from the old name for a region in what is now Yorkshire that was one of the last Celtic kingdoms; the epigraph borrows a few lines from a Ted Hughes book. But the word itself doesn't feature at all in the text. And though it does feature a good deal of pleasant nature writing, it isn’t particularly redolent of Hughes. The style is at times conspicuously eloquent, considering the narrator’s humble background. It would be easy to find this a distraction; I think the style belongs to the narrator’s interior. The words they choose aren’t those they might have said or written themselves, but that doesn’t make them any less theirs.

It follows Daniel, a young boy who lives with his older sister Cathy and their father in a little house in the middle of nowhere. Daddy (this is what he is called throughout) built the house with his own hands; he is a retired bareknuckle prize-fighter, occasional enforcer and debt collector, who now seems dedicated to living a quiet life. And for a while, they do just that: the seasons pass in a reverie of woodcutting, cooking, building. For a long time not much is explained about how they came to be there. But they cannot ignore the outside world forever. The children are taken out of school, first, and then they come to the attention of the man who owns their land. 

Skimming a few other reviews for this book, some readers seem to have assumed that the story takes place in some kind of post-apocalyptic landscape. But I can see why they might think that. The whole thing is tinged by the family's distance from a society which seems perpetually suspicious, hostile, dangerous. It seems to take place in a world that's slightly out of time. Television and radio are mentioned, but only telephones play any role in the plot; smartphones and the internet might as well not exist. 

Much of the early part of the book is defined by a tone of old-fashioned warmth. Particular attention is paid to the simple comforts of food, warmth and shelter. Bacon is perpetually dripping with fat; hot boiled vegetables are laced with butter; joints of meat can roast for hours in this world. Much of it would fit neatly into that sub-category of science fiction sometimes call the 'cosy catastrophe': something about the world outside has gone terribly wrong, but inside, life goes on much as normal. Gender roles are a part of this curious cosiness too: they seem comfortable, and entirely conventional, until suddenly the novel begins to gently tip them askew. 

The only salient detail that allows us to pinpoint this as sometime in recent years is the description of how one of the characters made his fortune: through the buying up and subsequent renting of ex-council houses, via the 'Right to Buy' scheme introduced by Margaret Thatcher's government. This is the most explicit political element in a novel which is otherwise not short on implicit political anger. The aforementioned character, Mr Price, is the chief exemplar of a corrupt member of the rentier class. He perpetuates a system of exploitation over the working class locals who pick vegetables for a pittance, while handing over an ever-increasing proportion of their wages back to landlords. Inevitably, property owners here are absentee almost by definition: they hold all of the power of a feudal lord, albeit with none of the responsibility towards their tenants. 

All of this seems born out of a righteous anger. But while it benefits from being basically accurate, the contrast is cartoonishly expressed. Mr Price in particular is a fairly ridiculous figure of red-trousered Tory malevolence, as obviously villainous as the narrator's father is heroic. From the moment a simple union is formed amongst the local workers, it seems obvious that something very bad is going to come from it. And in fact the novel closes with some fairly spectacular, horrifying scenes of badness. The sheer violence of its conclusion is shocking almost to the point of absurdity, but it is not entirely out of character with the rest of the book: this is, after all, a story about going to extremes. 

[up4itoutdoors]

Hillwalking highlights

Some pics of our hillwalking days over the last few years, enjoy!

[chriscraigmusic]

Great day out on Friday with Mark and Andy climbing Ben Nevis. The weather was a mixed bag and took in some great views on the way to the top 😁 My legs took a beating but well worth it but good to climb the biggest mountain in the UK 😁 #bennevis #munro #mountain #scotland #summit #teampicture #goodtimes #goodpeople #dayout #hillwalkingscotland #hillwalking (at Ben Nevis Fort William) https://www.instagram.com/p/CEOhs-dBsTb/?igshid=3lok3jg5midg

[schotsenscheef]

WHW, baby

Snel het vorig weekend op papier zetten vooraleer ik weer hopeloos achtersta.

In de vorige blog kon je het al lezen: ik had vrijdag vrijaf voor ‘een ander leuk weekend’. Dat leuk weekend bestond uit de halve West Highland Way doen a.k.a. 70km hillwalking. Magnifiek en voldoening gevend. Probleem: ik had geen trekkersrugzak mee. Marie stuurde een paar sms’jes en zo was dat probleem al zéér snel opgelost, want een vriendin van haar had er nog een liggen. Vrijdagochtend heel vroeg opstaan om een bus naar Falkirk te nemen, waar ik samen met Marlies en Joost de trein zou pakken naar Tyndrum. Joost is het ex-lief/lief/het-is-ingewikkeld van Marlies. Het zou dus een awkward weekend kunnen worden, maar dat was het absoluut niet.

De treinrit duurde iets minder dan 3u. Op de trein ontmoetten we 2 Belgen, die zo’n 20km meer gingen doen dan wij, maar ook meer dagen hadden om het te stappen. Toffe babbel, en we grapten nog dat ze ons misschien gingen inhalen. Eens in Tyndrum aangekomen (rond half 11), begonnen we meteen aan de trektocht. Bij deze onze startfoto:

Het plan was om toch al 30km te wandelen, zodat we de volgende dagen niet moesten stressen om zondag op tijd aan te komen in Fort William. Voor het vervoer terug hadden we namelijk bustickets, en die bus vertrok om 17u. Onderweg deden we enkele keren haasje-over met een groepje van 4 gepensioneerde Hollanders. Ik hoop dat ik op die leeftijd ook nog zo’n wandelingen kan maken, amai! Ze lieten wel hun bagage van hostel naar hostel brengen, maar dan nog: chapeau. We stapten goed door, en leken alleszins toch veel mensen in te halen. Ik kreeg door de rugzak wel wat blauwe-plek pijn aan mijn heupen. In de late namiddag passeerden we een eetcafé, waar we onszelf welverdiend trakteerden op een biertje. En alweer Belgen tegenkwamen. Rond 19u (denk ik, misschien al vroeger) bereikten we ons doel: Kingshouse. Denk nu niet dat dat echt een dorpje is ofzo, eerder een hotel en een handjevol huizen. Niet eens een winkeltje. We vonden een degelijke tentplaats; waar eerder al iemand een vuurtje had gemaakt. We sprokkelden hout uit een naburig bosje, zetten onze tenten op en aten onze van-thuis-meegenomen pasta. Er zijn niet veel stopplaatsen onderweg om eten te kopen, dus alles zelf voorzien was wel nodig. We werden belaagd door midges (kleine bijtende vliegjes), en ik kan u verzekeren dat dat absoluut niet aangenaam is. Het beste wat je dan kan doen, is zorgen dat je kledij zoveel mogelijk van uw huid bedekt, uw ogen en mond dichtdoen en hopen dat er snel wat wind komt of een beetje heen en weer beginnen lopen om zelf wind te maken. Ook vuur drijft hen wat weg, maar ik had mijn briquet in een zijvak van mijn rugzak gestoken waar blijkbaar veel zand in zat. Gevolg: de briquet zat volledig geblokkeerd. Balen. Met wat uitschudden en openpeuteren en veel hoop, kregen we hem terug aan de praat en konden we eindelijk vuur maken. We hadden ook wat schrik dat het hout misschien te nat zou zijn, maar ik had een gazet mee en er groeiden ook wat hooi-achtige planten. Het vuur knetterde dus snel, en de midges gingen andere slachtoffers zoeken. Heerlijk om zo tussen de heuvels met een vuurtje en de ondergaande zon te zitten en gewoon genieten. ‘s Nachts nam ik een paar stenen die rond het vuur hadden gelegen mee in de tent. Heerlijk om de rugpijn mee te verlichten en de voeten op te warmen. Het slaapje was wel niet zo goed en ‘s ochtends moesten we de tenten opruimen in de miezerregen.

Het doel van zaterdag was 1) Kinlochleven bereiken (15 km) en 2) nog een 10-tal km verder wandelen. Zo geschiedde. Kinlochleven is wel een fatsoenlijk dorp, met enkele pubs en winkels. We namen hier dan ook een lange pauze en gingen eentje drinken in de Highland Getaway. Crabbie’s ginger beer raspberry is een aanrader. We hadden zicht op een rivier waar een startpunt was voor 2-persoonsraften en tuben. Ik denk dat bijna 30% faalde en uit hun bootje/band vielen. Hilarisch. Anyways, we wandelden nog een stukje verder, maar er scheen nergens bos in de buurt te zijn. Wel schapen, dus we moesten ook nog eens oppassen dat we onze tent niet tussen de schapenkak opzetten. We vonden grasgewijs een goede plaats voor de tent. Ik ging toch maar eens een klein stukje verder wandelen, en tot ons groot geluk was er een minibosje om de bocht en hadden we alsnog hout, hoera! Mijn rug en heupen deden deze keer geen pijn, want blijkbaar went ge heel snel aan zo’n geval op uw rug. Verder weer dezelfde routine: sprokkelen, tent opzetten, eten. Marlies en Joost begonnen na 2 dagen blijkbaar al te walgen van hunzelf want ze wasten zich in een ijskoud riviertje (met shampoo, arme natuur L). Zij liever dan ik. Helaas begon het ‘s avonds fel te regenen en konden we geen vuurtje maken. Het werd een avond van muziek luisteren in de tent en dutjes doen tot het een fatsoenlijk uur was om te slapen. Het was ook de avond dat ik heb gemerkt dat veel regen + veel wind niet de beste combo is voor de 15-pond tent. Als de ‘muren’ van de tent te hard flapperen, flappert er regen naar binnen. Oplossing: awkward posities innemen om de zijkanten zo strak mogelijk te houden tijdens windopstoten. Zo ongeveer dus: 

Goed dat het ‘s nachts niet te zot had gedaan. Ik had een goed slaapje gedaan en heb dan ‘s ochtends maar het vuurtje gemaakt. Anders was dat hout sprokkelen voor niks geweest. We gingen weer op pad om ons einddoel te bereiken: Fort William. Onderweg kwamen we een ‘tuck shop’ tegen. Basically een onbemand half tentje met wat koele blikjes frisdrank en snacks. En een doos met geld, dus het is wel de bedoeling dat ge zo eerlijk zijt om te betalen.

We waren ongeveer in Fort William toen we gingen lunchen, maar ineens begonnen 2 mannen met trekkersrugzakken achter mij aan te lopen. En dan bedoel ik echt lopen. Ik zag meteen dat het de mannen van op de trein waren, die ons uiteindelijk dus toch nog hadden ingehaald. Ferm! Na de lunch moesten we nog een klein beetje wandelen, om het echte eindpunt te bereiken. Allee, eigenlijk zijn er 2 eindpunten: een origineel, en een nieuw. We hebben ze beide gedaan. Het nieuwe eindpunt is een standbeeld van een moe maar voldane wandelaar op een bankje.

We sloten onze WHW af met een pint en namen dan de bus terug naar Glasgow. Die busrit duurde een tergende 3 uur, maar er was gelukkig compagnie van een Duitse Schotse om een babbelke mee te doen. In Glasgow ging ik nog chili eten bij de Timmies (keeiigoede chili) en dan weer de trein naar huis. Marie pikte me op aan het station (bless her) en verraste me ook nog eens met thee en een scone. De beste scone ooit. Ik was ook een paar blaren rijker. 

Over treinen gesproken: ik heb ontdekt dat er hier een concept bestaat genaamd ‘split tickets’. Het is gek genoeg soms goedkoper om uw route op te splitsen en dus kaartjes te kopen voor de deeltrajecten, dan een rechtstreeks ticketje van begin tot eind. Neem daar ook nog eens bij dat ge ticketjes zonder toeslag op de trein kunt kopen, en zo had ik toch wel wat ponden uitgespaard. Want oooo de trein is hier echt wel duur genoeg.

Dan nog een woordje over mijn laatste werkweek hier in Schotland. Ik had zelf wat klinieken geregeld, omdat onze leerdoelen wat anders zijn dan die van de Schotten. Zo heb ik uitstrijkjes kunnen nemen en veel borsten gecheckt op knobbels. Ik ben 1x zelfs gaan werken toen ik blijkbaar private study had, maar ze waren mij vergeten het aangepaste schema door te sturen. Maar het allercoolste van de week: assisteren bij een keizersnede. De dokter kwam op de zaalronde kijken wie ze kon stelen om haar te helpen, en ze zei: ‘Can I borrow Nele to help with the section?’ JA, JA GE MOOGT MIJ LENEN! Met assisteren bedoel ik niet ‘steriel staan aan de tafel en toekijken’, maar écht assisteren. Misschien is het in Bels niet zo moeilijk om die kans te krijgen, maar hier is het echt geluk hebben als ge dat moogt doen. De rest van die dag was dan weer oersaai. Na de keizersnede ging ik terug naar de dokters van de zaaltoer, maar ze waren net klaar. Dus besloten ze om een koffie te gaan drinken. Daar zaten we dan, een 5-tal dokters gewoon aan het chillen en kletsen. Er vervoegden ons nog 2 dokters, en dat was dan de voormiddag. Soms denk ik wel dat ze hier een rustiger doktersleven hebben dan in Bels. Wat betreft de koffie: die wordt mij altijd getrakteerd. Niet dagelijks, maar toch elke keer als ik een koffiepauze meemaak. Gemiddeld wekelijks misschien. 

Marie was naar een soort lezing van een auteur geweest, en kwam terug met een boek. Niet voor haar, maar voor mij. Het heet ‘the five side effects of kindness’ en ze heeft het zelfs laten signeren door de auteur. Zo lief! Ik ben benieuwd naar de inhoud, want op het eerste zicht ziet het er veelbelovend uit, met referenties naar studies enzo.

Vrijdag had ik een hele dag private study. Ik wou zelf eigenlijk liever nog een kliniek doen, maar er waren er gewoon geen meer. Veel dokters waren op congres of verlof, en de andere 2 studenten hadden de beschikbare klinieken gekregen. Ik moest wel nog naar het ziekenhuis voor mijn 2e MMR-vaccinatie. Fingers crossed dat ik deze keer wel antilichamen aanmaak. ;) De namiddag heb ik gespendeerd met Luke, die zijn laatste examen die dag had gehad. Tortilla soup, de beste nacho’s en natuurlijk weeral bier (ik heb echt geen alcoholprobleem). De Schotten zijn soms wel wat speciaal met hun biernamen. Ik hoop dat er geen echte pony’s in ‘dead pony club’ zat. Dan nog een Ben & Jerry’s s’wich up (mogelijks mijn nieuwe favoriete B&J’s) voor 2,5 pond en de dag was weer compleet.

Ook: netflix is dodelijk.

Nu ben ik me aan het klaarmaken voor de vlieger, want deze avond vlieg ik naar mijn volgende avontuur: Belfast. Ik ga het hier enorm missen. Ik ben zo een gelukzak dat ik hier bij een gezin heb kunnen wonen en me hier ook echt heb thuis gevoeld. Marie, de dochters, de kat, de hondjes, de piano en het jacuzzibad zijn allemaal leuke dingen die ik waarschijnlijk niet ga hebben in Belfast. En netflix.

[scotianostra]

Adam Watson, the Scottish biologist, ecologist and mountaineer was born on April 14th 1930 in Turriff, Aberdeenshire. 

From an early age, Watson showed considerable academic prowess. He was Dux of Turriff Primary School and of Turriff Senior Secondary School in Latin, English, Higher Latin, English, French, Science, lower History and Mathematics.

His education continued at the University of Aberdeen in the 1950s, gaining a first class honours in zoology and also the department of natural history's MacGillivray Prize. He gained his PhD in 1956 for his thesis on the Annual Cycle of Rock Ptarmigan, and a second doctorate in 1967 for scientific papers on populations and behaviour of northern animals.

The scientist studied and wrote extensively about plants and animal life in the Cairngorms.  RSPB Scotland described Dr Watson, who research included studies of various upland birds, as "arguably the most knowledgeable Scottish naturalist and ornithologist of the last century".  

Dr  Watson  was a well-known figure in Scotland's climbing and hillwalking community.  He climbed extensively in the Cairngorms and in Scotland's other mountain ranges. He also climbed and skied abroad, including in Norway, Lapland, Canada and Alaska.

A John Muir Trust Lifetime Achievement Award was among other honours given to Dr Watson. The man  dubbed Mr Cairngorms also received the Fort William Mountain Festival's Scottish Award for Excellence in Mountain Culture.

Watson’s research centred on grouse, his magnum opus on the subject, co-written with Robert Moss called Grouse, was a runaway bestseller.

A dam, a natural communicator in speech or the written word also appeared extensively on TV and radio in Scotland, his first broadcast was back in 1948 – Dr Watson’s enthusiasm for the sciences was never less than infectious, and he described his work in simple terms without resorting either to jargon or dumbing down. What made him loved by editors was his ability to read standard situations from a different viewpoint.

Watson’s  literary output from the age of 14 runs to an astonishing 475 items including 22 books, hundreds of scientific papers and reviews and 175 unpublished technical reports.

In 1971 he was called to represent the Crown as expert witness at the fatal accident enquiry following the Cairngorm disaster in which six schoolchildren died. His quiet evidence drew not only on law, but on science backed by practical experience of the very worst of mountain weather.  He surprised the Forestry Commission when he successfully opposed a particular development not merely on the expected ecological argument, but by astute demolition of the business case.

Doctor Adam Watson died after a short illness on January 23rd 2019, aged 88. 

[cynthiabryanuk]

UK NATIONAL PARKS FOR A SPRINGTIME HOLIDAY

Since 1951, 15 of the UK’s most precious landscapes have been designated as national parks. From magnificent mountains and moors to spectacular dales and coastline, their landscapes differ wildly. But they all have one thing in common: extraordinary natural beauty.

In springtime, the landscape comes to life before your eyes. See lambs being born, blankets of bluebells and flowers blooming. And with so many rentals nearby to choose from, picking a place to stay will be easy…

Brecon Beacons National Park

Just an hour from Cardiff, the Brecon Beacons form a rich and rewarding landscape. Discovering it is a treat for all the senses: explore subterranean caves, uncover picturesque cycling trails, watch resident red kites soar above hilltop castles and more. At 886m, Pen Y Fan is the National Park’s highest peak; perfect for a spot of abseiling, rock climbing or hiking. The park is also an International Dark Sky Reserve, meaning it’s one of the finest places in the world to observe the night sky.

View holiday homes in the Brecon Beacons!

Broads National Park

The Broads is Britain’s wildlife national park – a unique mosaic of land and water, with lakes and rivers nestling in gentle wooded valleys and wild, open reedlands. With more rare animals and plants than any other UK national park, the Broads is a living landscape of humans and wildlife, water and land. Whether you take to the water by sail or paddle, explore one of its many trails or tour its villages, breathtaking scenery and fascinating history is guaranteed. It also offers plenty of culture; with Norwich on its doorstep, it is the only English National Park to embrace a city.

See holiday rentals in the Broads

Cairngorms National Park

In the Cairngorms, you’ll find five of the UK’s six highest mountains to ascend, 55 Munros to tackle, forests of ancient Caledonian pine to ramble through, cascading waterfalls to photograph, and the chance to see some of the rarest and most endangered wildlife. The Cairngorms offer something for every visitor: skier, hillwalker, rock-climber, mountain biker, pony trekker or anyone seeking the peace and tranquillity of the great outdoors. And all against a simply stunning backdrop.

View holiday homes near the Cairngorms

Dartmoor National Park

Tottering piles of granite rocks, stone circles and atmospheric medieval villages… the Dartmoor landscape certainly is unmistakable. It’s the only National Park in the UK to allow wild camping, so it’s the perfect spot to get back to nature (just make sure you read up on the rules beforehand). And, of course, you can’t visit Dartmoor without making friends with the Park’s most famous residents: the Dartmoor Ponies. Visit soon and you’ll be able to see the Moors Otters, too; a public art trail of 100 otter sculptures scattered around the National Park.

View holiday rentals near Dartmoor

Exmoor National Park

Photo credit: ENPA/Nigel Stone

Why is Exmoor so popular? Perhaps it’s the remarkable range of colours the park takes on throughout the year: the white of the Snowdrop Valley in February, the yellow and purple of moorland heather, the green and gold of precious woodlands (with over 1700 ancient trees), the resident Red Deer and not forgetting the highlight of many visitors’ trips – the duns, bays and browns of the free-living Exmoor Ponies. But that’s not all! Don’t forget the dramatic green and blue of its seascape (where you’ll find the highest cliffs in England) or the intense black of the night sky over the park (Exmoor was Europe’s first designated Dark Sky Reserve).

See homes in Exmoor

Lake District National Park

From the peak of England’s highest mountain to the bottom of its deepest lake, the Lake District is full of natural wonders. The best way to appreciate the jaw-dropping landscape is to follow one of Wainwright’s famous fell walks (there are 214 to choose from!) which will lead you through breathtaking valleys, past crystal clear lakes, under cascading waterfalls and through picturesque towns and villages. But it’s not all magnificent vistas: outdoor pursuits from rock-climbing to canoeing make this paradise for seekers of adventure as well as relaxation.

View holiday homes in the Lake District

Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park

Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park covers 720 square miles of Scotland’s most stunning landscapes. A treasure trove of wildlife and scenery enjoyed by millions of visitors every year, it’s a place of grand mountains, ancient forests, breathtaking glens, tumbling waterfalls, unique historic sites and many interesting cultural traditions. Whether you want to enjoy active outdoor pursuits, sample some delicious local produce, or simply want to take in the stunning scenery, there’s something for everyone in this very special part of Scotland.

View holiday rentals in Loch Lomond & The Trossachs

New Forest National Park

Once a royal hunting ground for William the Conqueror, the New Forest is packed with activities, sights and sounds you’ll be sure to fall in love with. Idyllic glades, rugged beaches, ancient woods, pretty heathland and iconic New Forest ponies… a trip to the New Forest is as restorative as it is fun. Here, wildlife roams free. Be prepared to spot a horse nearby, whether you’re going for a bike ride with the family or enjoying lunch in a cosy tea room in one of the New Forest’s many quaint villages.

See holiday homes in the New Forest

Northumberland National Park

Northumberland National Park is home to 400 square miles of breathtaking natural beauty, stretching from Hadrian’s Wall to the Scottish Borders. By day, it’s a haven for walkers and cyclists with trails through its picture-postcard scenery. But by night, it’s just as spectacular as it forms part of the largest area of protected night sky in Europe (calling all astronomers!). This summer sees the opening of The Sill: National Landscape Discovery Centre, a new visitor attraction sure to inspire people of all ages to explore the landscape, history, culture and heritage of Northumberland.

See homes in Northumberland

North York Moors National Park

Spectacular moorland, wonderful woods, ancient ruins and a stunning coastline: the North York Moors National Park certainly is a landscape to treasure. Its 26-mile heritage coastline reveals hidden gems at every turn, from picture-postcard fishing villages like Staithes with its artistic flair, to the smugglers’ hot-spot of Robin Hood’s Bay, with its maze of cobbled alleys.

Keen walkers will love the Cleveland Way National Trail while cycling enthusiasts will feel right at home in Dalby Forest (England’s largest mountain bike trail centre). If you prefer a more laid-back itinerary, you can picnic amongst the magnificent ruins of Rievaulx Abbey. Or climb aboard the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, the world’s most popular heritage line steaming through the heart of the moors via Goathland (Harry Potter fans may recognise it as Hogsmeade Station in the first film) before reaching Whitby’s golden sands.

See all rentals in the North York Moors

The Peak District National Park

Set up in 1951, the UK’s first and original National Park holds a special place in the hearts of millions. Its unique landscape encompasses the Dark Peak’s gritstone moorlands, the White Peak’s limestone plateau, and the moors and foothills of the South West Peak in Staffordshire. It’s a place for relaxation among tree-lined dales or adventure high on the heathered moorlands. Many routes are accessible for wheelchairs and buggies, including a staggering 65 miles of off-road flat trails, meaning everyone can enjoy the picturesque Peaks.

Book a place in the Peak District!

Pembrokeshire Coast National Park

Photo credit: Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority

Pembrokeshire Coast National Park is Britain’s only truly coastal National Park, covering 240 square miles of spectacular landscape. While it may be one of the smallest parks, it’s also one of the most diverse, being home to unspoilt beaches, spectacular views, rolling hills and rugged cliffs. The Pembrokeshire Coast also attracts an amazing range of wildlife and includes internationally important nature reserves, geology, and archaeology. The National Park also boasts a wealth of wonderful places to explore and enjoy including the Pembrokeshire Coast Path National Trail, which twists and turns through 186 miles of breathtaking coastal scenery.

Discover holiday homes on the Pembrokeshire Coast

Snowdonia National Park

Arguably the most alluring of all Welsh scenery, Snowdonia is somewhere every traveller should experience at least once in their lifetime. Home to the tallest UK peaks south of Scotland, it’s no surprise that thousands of hikers arrive every weekend to hike up mighty Snowdon. But there’s more to Snowdonia National Park than it’s hiking potential… TripAdvisor travellers love visiting Harlech Castle, going white water rafting and visiting one of the region’s many museums (the National Slate Museum is a firm favourite!). Oh, and don’t forget the wildlife — rare Snowdonia residents include otters, polecats and feral goats to name a few.

See all holiday rentals in Snowdonia

South Downs National Park

Described as a “rich tapestry of wildlife, landscapes, tranquility and visitor attractions”, South Downs National Park has so much to offer. Visit the National Trust’s Petworth House (and its brilliant art collection!), go birdwatching at The Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust, and enjoy a brew or two in the charming city of Winchester. Stretching from Itchen Valley in Hampshire to Beachy Head in East Sussex, the park is renowned for its picturesque chalk hills which, complemented by the blue crashing sea below and rolling green clifftops, is a postcard-worthy sight indeed.

View holiday homes in the South Downs

Yorkshire Dales National Park

The Yorkshire Dales National Park has many moods; it can be wild and windswept or quietly tranquil. It includes some of the finest limestone scenery in the UK, from rocky crags to an underground labyrinth of caves. Each valley or ‘dale’ has its own distinct character, set against expansive heather moorland tops. Stone-built villages sit amongst traditional farming landscapes of field barns, drystone walls and flower-rich meadows.

And if that weren’t enough, spectacular waterfalls and ancient broadleaved woodland contrast with the scattered remains of the area’s rich industrial heritage. Together, nature and people have created a special landscape of immense beauty and character.

View holiday homes in the Yorkshire Dales

The post UK NATIONAL PARKS FOR A SPRINGTIME HOLIDAY appeared first on Holiday Lettings Blog.

from News And Tips For Traveling https://blog.holidaylettings.co.uk/uks-favourite-national-parks/

[walkinginwords]

Day 17 – Your Favourite Place to Go

This is kind of a hard one for me because for the past few years, what with life and work and university, I haven’t really had nearly as much free time as I would have liked. Now that I’m driving and am in a different working environment I have a little bit more freedom but, as it turns out, that hasn’t really helped too much. I still don’t get out nearly as much as I’d like to, I’m always just too tired. I’m thinking that I will keep this prompt more local rather than choose someplace across the world (far and unreasonable). So, my favourite place to go is actually anywhere in the Scottish Highlands and sometimes the Islands.

I’ve spent the vast majority of my life living in Scotland (save a brief few years when I lived in England. But we try not to talk about that…). For those of you that live here, or have visited, you have to agree that the Scottish landscape is truly a memorable sight. It’s so beautiful, full of such history and character and the Scottish people really make the place unique. But the Highlands, that is where I truly love. When I was younger and had more time and freedom I used to do a lot of hillwalking. I was very keen on the outdoors, camping and the like. I completed the West Highland Way twice, which is a 100-mile walk across Scotland from Milngavie in Glasgow to Fort William on the West Coast. I’ve done a fair amount of sponsored hikes to raise money for charities, like the Mighty Stride Kiltwalk and Tinto Hill. I wouldn’t go as far as to I’m patriotic, because that feels like an extreme word to me, but I love my homeland. I am proud to be from such a beautiful place.

For a break away from life, we visited a wigwam up in Banff on the North Coast. There was no signal, no internet and no one around and it was perfect. Walks in unfamiliar territory, fresh air and enough to see in the landscape to let a creative mind run wild.

My fiance spent a lot of summer 2017 on the Isle of Skye and so I spent a lot of time up there. Breathtaking doesn’t seem to do some of the landscapes justice. The roads are horrendous but being out in the sticks, surrounded by such sights really puts into perspective just how small we are in the world. (If you ever feel like you need your perspective in life adjusted, just stand at the bottom of Ben Nevis and look up). I studied earth science at university, so I know how to appreciate the workings of the land. Somehow understanding it just makes the whole thing far more marvellous.

Before I’m 30 I will complete the North Coast 500 (#nc500). It would be an unforgettable experience. There is still so much of Scotland that I have to see. I have a lot of time to make up for.

  The Spey river in the Cairngorms

Isle of Skye

Caithness

Ryvoan Pass (Green Loch)

Inverness at Dours

30 Day Writing Challenge – Day 17 Day 17 - Your Favourite Place to Go This is kind of a hard one for me because for the past few years, what with life and work and university, I haven't really had nearly as much free time as I would have liked.

[trpsluminous]

Kingdom Come! Road trip from London to Scotland (The Highlands, Days 9-12)

Day 9

Today, we took a day trip to Edinburgh. Hit the M9 and in an hour we were in Edinburgh. We parked at the car park in the Waverley station and strolled through town’s historic centre. Edinburgh is an easily walk able town with beautiful parks, lots of monuments, Thistle street for its many cafes, bars and restaurants and the looming Edinburgh castle. The old town is majestic. The views of old town at sunset from princess street is beyond words.

[caption id="attachment_2241" align="aligncenter" width="464"] magnificent old town[/caption] [caption id="attachment_2242" align="aligncenter" width="490"] Princess street gardens[/caption]

Late evening, we took out car and drove up to the Stirling castle, it was shut by the time we got there but we were just interested in the drive and the views from the roads leading to the castle. Dinner in Edinburgh and back to Stirling

Day 10

After breakfast, we drove for three hours via the A82 to Fort William. As you approach Fort William, you go through the beautiful Glencoe valley. Its one of the famed drives of the Scottish Highlands. Super roads through the massive mountains and the Glen running by the side, stunning

We arrived in Fort William, the town known as the gateway to Ben Nevis, UK’s highest peak. It is known for its forest hikes, ski runs at the Nevis Mountain range and the Steal falls. It is a hillwalker’s paradise and is in close proximity to a very popular downhill mountain bike track . It is also the home to the Ben Nevis Distillery

The town centre was beautiful, had many nice restaurants and a beautiful waterfront. The walls of the fort dates back to the 1600’s; the fort’s boundaries mark the outlines of the waterfront. After lunch we decided to do some forest walking and just explore the beautiful fort waterfront area

[caption id="attachment_2243" align="aligncenter" width="430"] Forest trails[/caption]

The town is also home to the “Jacobite”, a steam train made famous from the Harry Porter series. The steam train features in the movie series as the Hogwarts Express. The journey from Fort William to the sea side town of Mallaig is regarded as one of world’s  best train journeys. Always a good idea to book tickets in advance as the seats fill up real fast (https://www.westcoastrailways.co.uk/jacobite/jacobite-steam-train-details.cfm)

Day 11

Enroute to Inverness, we stopped at Fort Augustus and took a ferry ride across the Loch Ness. My older son spotted something in the water with a long tail, a long arched neck and looked like a Mosasaurus. My younger son was soon to spot the same. We all shared a laugh. As for my wife and I, we were just too happy to take in the views of the gorgeous lake and the surrounding lush green mountains. We could, however, spot a lone stag atop a mountain.

The  cruise of Loch Ness, while it was extremely enjoyable for us, the children also  loved it. Inspired by Peter Rabbit, our older one keeps a journal where he document his travels. He made a map of the lake and pinned the location of his sighting of Nessie. Soon after, our younger one also got his crayons out and sketched up a Picasso. Next two days all our talks revolved around Nessie and there was no inclination from the kids towards any gadgets. We were glad that we took the cruise. Apart from the cruise, there is the Neptune staircase of the five lochs and a beautiful turn table bridge that makes way for traffic to and from the Caledonian canal.

[caption id="attachment_2261" align="aligncenter" width="391"] Cruising on Loch Ness[/caption] [caption id="attachment_2262" align="aligncenter" width="326"] Our Lil monster[/caption]

We had our lunch by the loch, bough some Nessie toys and were Inverness bound. It was really late in the evening by the time we reached Inverness, we went straight to the hotel and called it a day

Day 12

There was nothing really on our plate today, more off an off day. Explored the town, went to a nearby shopping complex to get outdoor gear and be Skye ready. We explored the beautiful parks by Inverness river and drove around the beautiful town. We also discovered a super local brewery called Black Isle Bar and Rooms, a must visit while in Inverness

[caption id="attachment_2236" align="aligncenter" width="335"] Blackisle brewery[/caption]  

[newsonlinegroup-blog]

Police Scotland to trial use of drones

Image copyright PA Image caption Drones are to be based in Inverness and Aberdeen Police Scotland is planning to trial the use of two drones. One is to be based in Inverness and the other in Aberdeen and would be used in different operations, including searches for missing people. The Scottish Police Authority board is to be informed of the plan at its meeting on Tuesday. Police Scotland hopes to have the drones operational in March and available to units, including road policing, and to armed police officers.

Extensive searches

A small drone was used by police in 2015 in the search for a hillwalker who went missing in the north west Highlands. Kilmarnock-born Eric Cyl, 62, was last seen heading off into the Mamore mountain range near Fort William. Extensive searches by mountain rescue teams were made of the area, including Ring of Steall and Steall Falls. Police Scotland used the drone for taking aerial images which could be examined for signs of Mr Cyl. He remains missing. Social Media Please Like And Share ------------- Twitter -     https://twitter.com/newsonlinegroup FACEBOOK -    https://www.facebook.com/News-Online-GROUP-LTD-1363462437113022/?view_public_for=1363462437113022 GOOGLE+ -     https://plus.google.com/109794834676438787450?hl=en INSTAGRAM -   https://www.instagram.com/newsonlinegroup/?hl=en LINKEDIN -    https://www.linkedin.com/company/27089758/ STUMBLEUPON - https://www.stumbleupon.com/stumbler/newsonlinegroup TUMBLR - https://www.tumblr.com/blog/newsonlinegroup PINEREST - https://www.pinterest.co.uk/NewsOnlineGroup Read the full article

[robertmcangusgroup]

The Daily Thistle

The Daily Thistle – News From Scotland

Thursday 16th November 2017

"Madainn Mhath” …Fellow Scot, I hope the day brings joy to you…. The bitter cold of the past few days has gone or more correctly I should say the temperature has risen a few degrees, still jacket weather, but it’s enjoyable to be out in the fresh air.. The days are clear skies, painted a brilliant blue in sharp contrast to the white of the towns houses, but it’s 4:00am and certainly no blue sky not that there is in reality, Why’s that I hear you ask..  Well on a clear cloudless day-time like it was yesterday the sky appears blue because molecules in the air scatter blue light from the sun more than they scatter red light. The opposite occurs when we look towards the sun at sunset, we see red and orange colours because the blue light has been scattered out and away from the line of sight…The things you discover on The Daily Thistle…..

SNAKE DISCOVERED INSIDE RENTAL VAN IN ABERDEEN…. A woman moving house was left "completely terrified" when she found a snake in a rental van The Scottish SPCA was called to the scene in Aberdeen after Susan Grayson spotted the snake slithering around on a seat. The reptile, thought to be a non venomous corn snake, disappeared but was still thought to be inside the van. A mechanic was called out to try to find the snake in the bodywork of the van. Mrs Grayson said: "We picked up the van and started doing our runs as we are moving house. "We were about to get back in the van and my partner found the snake slithering around the side of the seat, at which point we decided not to get back in the van. "I was completely terrified. We phoned Hertz and they said they hadn't had that before. So we then phoned the Scottish SPCA. "I am scared of spiders, let alone snakes."

DATE SET FOR NEW SCOTTISH AVALANCHE INFORMATION SEASON…. Daily avalanche information reports for six mountainous areas of Scotland are due to be issued from 15 December. Every winter, the Scottish Avalanche Information Service (SAIS) assesses avalanche hazards in Lochaber, Glen Coe and Creag Meagaidh. The service also covers Southern Cairngorms, Northern Cairngorms and Torridon. It provides information on the stability of snowpack on the mountains from December until mid-April. Hillwalkers and climbers use the SAIS' reports alongside mountain weather forecasts when planning trips into Scotland's hills. SAIS' most recent forecasting season, 2016-17, involved the service's lowest number of recorded avalanches in almost 10 years. There were 90 avalanches between December last year and April this year.

TEENAGER CAUGHT IN FBI CHILD ABUSE IMAGES INVESTIGATION…. A teenager caught with almost 14 hours of child abuse videos has been sentenced to 15 months detention. William Stewart, 19, who also downloaded 3,000 abuse images, was traced to a Perth caravan park bedroom as part of an FBI operation. A sheriff refused an appeal for anonymity by his parents, who said they feared reprisals from fellow members of the travelling community. Stewart was also placed on the sex offenders register for 10 years. Depute fiscal Tina Dickie told Perth Sheriff Court: "The accused was 17 at the time and was a school pupil with no previous convictions. "He lived at Double Dykes caravan park in a three-bed static caravan with his family. "The police received intelligence from the International Law Enforcement Agency that an account registered to the accused had been accessing indecent images of children from the internet." The fiscal said the videos showed children from a few months old to the age of 16 being subjected to sexual abuse by adults. Stewart, from Perth, admitted possessing indecent images of children at his home between 23 November 2014 and 27 August 2015. Sheriff Lindsay Foulis told Stewart: "This is a large amount of images and a significant proportion of the images are in the most serious categorisation."

TRUMP GOLF COURSE DUNES' SPECIAL STATUS 'TO BE REVIEWED'…. The special scientific status of the area where Donald Trump built his golf course in Aberdeenshire is under review, BBC Scotland has learned. Scottish Natural Heritage said the Menie golf course had caused habitat loss and damage to the dune system. The environmental agency is assessing the scale of the impact to decide whether all or parts of the site should lose their special status. The Trump course said its environmental approach was "first class".

SCOTTISH EPISCOPAL CHURCH APPOINTS FIRST FEMALE BISHOP…. The Scottish Episcopal Church has elected its first female bishop. The Rev Canon Anne Dyer was appointed the new Bishop of Aberdeen and Orkney by the Episcopal Synod. Canon Dyer is currently the Rector of Holy Trinity Church in Haddington, East Lothian. She is also a member of the Scottish Episcopal Institute Council. The See of Aberdeen and Orkney became vacant last November when the Rt Rev Dr Robert Gillies retired as Bishop of the diocese. Canon Dyer said: "I am delighted to be elected by the bishops of the Scottish Episcopal Church to serve as bishop in the United Diocese of Aberdeen and Orkney. "It will be a privilege to lead the people of this diocese as they continue to make known the love of God to those in their communities and beyond. "I am looking forward to both the challenge and excitement of serving and worshiping together in diverse locations across the diocese and to joining the College of Bishops." The 60-year-old was ordained a deacon in 1987 and became a priest in 1994 in Rochester, Kent. The Most Rev Mark Strange, Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church, said: "Anne brings with her a wealth of experience in theological education and mission development, and has so many of the gifts sought by the diocese together with a deeply loving and generous personality. "I am also delighted that those gifts have allowed us to elect a woman to our College of Bishops."

On that note I will say that I hope you have enjoyed the news from Scotland today,

Our look at Scotland today is of Caerlaverock Castle, Dumfriesshire and a fine looking castle it is...

A Sincere Thank You for your company and Thank You for your likes and comments I love them and always try to reply, so please keep them coming, it's always good fun, As is my custom, I will go and get myself another mug of "Colombian" Coffee and wish you a safe Thursday 16th November 2017 from my home on the southern coast of Spain, where the blue waters of the Alboran Sea washes the coast of Africa and Europe and the smell of the night blooming Jasmine and Honeysuckle fills the air…and a crazy old guy and his dog Bella go out for a walk at 4:00 am…on the streets of Estepona…

All good stuff....But remember it’s a dangerous world we live in

Be safe out there…

Robert McAngus