Category Archives: scotland

Scottish Spring

May

2019

by aliirose | 0 Comments

Its no secret that Spring is the best time of year in Scotland. Whether you’re into Climbing, Skiing, Whitewater kayaking, Sea Kayaking, Mountain Biking or Hill walking its merely a case of having the right clothes for the job and being able to read the weather forecast. As ever I have tried to hold onto some time for personal adventures in the spring and this year have managed some adventures I’ve been planning for many years.

Rum Cuillin traverse with Al and Matt. For years I’ve wanted to do a traverse of the Rum Cuillin peaks between ferries. This is only possible on a saturday as its the only day with a morning ferry and an evening ferry – the only thing that has stopped me in the past is that I dont really do much running and 31km with 1900m of height gain always seemed a long way!

Amazing scrambling on the ridges.

Al and Matt running off the last main summit. We carried onto two subsidiary tops from here.

Al making things hard for himself on the way up Askival

Mark with An Sgurr of Eigg behind him. Another thing I have been planning for years is to climb on the Sgurr of Eigg. As one of the most prominent landmarks in the Western Isles and one of the most photographed and painted places in Scotland its just crying out to be climbed. A good forecast had Mark and I on Eigg for two days of amazing climbing with even a bit of mountain biking (purely to access the crags) thrown in.

Kilometers of rock and only a few recorded ascents.Mark on the steep start to Oceans Wall

Hannah and I also chased the sun out to Lewis for 5 days of exploring. Anyone who hasnt been climbing on Lewis is going to get very bored of me describing how good it is. Above – Hannah soloing an easy slab on our last day before getting the ferry home.

Sunset from the van on our third evening on Lewis

Pools walls, Ard Uig. An amazing crag above a tidal pool with an array of brilliant routes. Theres still winter somewhere. Malcolm Airey and clients on Tower ridge at the end of March. I managed two brilliant days of ice climbing on Ben Nevis before packing up my ice tools for the season.

Another trip I have been planning for years is to ski over to the Hutchinson Memorial hut in the Cairngorms. While planning a couple of days scrambling with Jago and Sarah we suddenly realised that lots of snow had fallen in the East and it was a blue sky forecast. We had an amazing ski from the summit of Ben Macdui to within 100m of the bothy door.

Classic Scottish spring skiing. I was introduced to a new word – to “sprackle” appears to mean skinning across grass, heather and rocks!

Relaxing in the sun outside the Hutchie hut.

It doesnt always go to plan. Scot and I had planned to ski the Grey corries traverse in Lochaber but a broken binding after the first summit saw us drinking coffee in the cafe instead

I’ve had some great days climbing as usual. Luca, Matt, Mike, Al and I headed to Neist point to escape the wind for a weekend. Al Docherty cruising one of the many classic cracks at Neist point. Its been pretty cold for climbing so far this spring but if you find the crags that arent in the wind its not so bad.

Matt Rowbottom on another classic crack in the sun.

I have managed to do a wee bit of work this month. For some reason I dont have any photos of the lovely sunny days out sea kayaking – just a cold but beautiful traverse of the Skye Cuillin with Chris and Sam.

Getting ready for bed

Chris making one of the exposed steps across the eroded dykes of the Cuillin

First day in the Cuillins this year for me and the first ever for Chris and Sam – the Cuillins never dissapoint!

It continues to be a fairly cold spring in Scotland so I think I’m going to continue to pack two jackets and wave my hands around a lot.

Also posted in alastair rose, ali rose, An Sgurr Climbing, Ben Nevis, Ben Nevis ice climbing, bothy, Cairngorms, Climbing, Comb Gully, Cuillin, gabbro, Hebrides Climbing, mountains to the sea, mountainstothesea, Neist Lighthouse, Rhum Cuillin, Rum Cuillin Traverse, Scotland climbing, skiing, Skye, Tower Ridge, Uncategorized Tagged An Sgurr, An Sgurr Climbing, Cairngorms Ski Tour, Eigg, Gneiss Climbing, Hutchinson Hut, Lewis Climbing, Rum Cuillin, Rum Cuillin Traverse, Scottish Skiing |

Roadside Scotland

Apr

2017

by aliirose | 0 Comments

As the seasons change from winter to spring its traditionally my time of year to do a lot of driving. While winter hangs on in the mountains but the sun starts to shine a bit more work spreads itself all over Scotland and there are a lot more options for outdoor activities to be had. The best thing about going away from your home country is the appreciation of it when you get home so with the beautiful weather I have been making an extra effort to stop and check out some of the roadside views.The drive from Fort William to Glasgow is always amazing whether its blue skies of torrential rain. I’ve stopped here (Loch Ba on Rannoch Moor) many times in the past to take photos but never in so much as a rush this morning. Luckily there was lots of light and not too many photographers so I could get a couple of handheld shots.
The change to spring is also the change to rock climbing – Chucky high “volcane” on Meall an Fhir Eoin Beag at Ardnamuchan. Caspar and Chucky shelter from a brief rain squall. Ardnamuchan has lots of amazing Gabro that dries really quickly.Matt after his introduction to Ardnamurchan cracks!Before the clocks change! Packing up after a great days cragging.Some locals coming to visit our campsite.
What Scotland should look like! The view down to Ballachullish from School house ridge.As ever a photo doesnt tell the full story this was actually a very windy day! Vertical spindrift on the ridge of Sgurr Dearg.The three bridges of the Forth from North Queensferry train station. You can just see the new bridge on the right hand side.Looking back towards Dalwhinnie distillery. I cant drive past this without hearing my dad say “highest distillery in the world”Loch Laggan at Sunset. As well as all the driving I have still been doing some things closer to home. Connor up high in Glen Nevis climbing Bewsey crack (in a t-shirt!)One final winter hit. I took Jago and Sarah on the classic “ledge route” on Ben Nevis. Sarah even convinced me to go to the summit so we headed down Coire Leis for a full tour of the mountain. You could have ice climbed, rock climbed, skied and mountain biked all in one day on Ben Nevis this day.
The view down Loch Lomond. I am always amazed how the scottish roads cut through some of the most impressive scenery.

Also posted in alastair rose, ali rose, Ardnamurchan, Ardnamurchan climbing, Ben Nevis, Ben Nevis ice climbing, Climbing, Creag Meagidh, gabbro, Meall an Fhir Eion, mountains to the sea, mountainstothesea, Scotland climbing Tagged Ardnamurchan, Ballachullish, Dalwhinnie Distillery, Forth Bridges, Loch Ba, Loch Lomond, North Queensferry, Roadside Scotland |

Return to the Norm

Mar

2017

by aliirose | 0 Comments

My first month back in Scotland in 16months. I got back to Scotland and the usual round of people endlessly discussing conditions and weather, a fair amount of rain and some less than wintery hills. This has not been too much of a burden really as there have been loads of friends and family to catch up with amongst remembering how to deal with banks etc. It is awesome to be back. I have spent a large amount of my adult years in different places in the world and the one thing that really makes you do is appreciate home. As I mentioned in my last post, a lot has happened since I left and it has been great to catch up with friends old and new and of course revisit some places that I love.One of the first things I did on return home was go up to the place where my good friend Joe passed away a year ago. This might seem morbid to some but I wanted to go up the path and try and put myself in Joe and Simons minds as they headed off that day. I have walked that path many times with many people but I will always now think of those two headed of on another adventure as I wander into the high coire of Stob Coire nam Beith. Above – a very damp Stob Coire nam Beith. The hills had no snow on when I first got back.Spending time in the hills with friends is always the best way to catch up. Ruaridh came over for the weekend and we headed out in the hills in some very wintery (and windy weather). We headed west both days to try and avoid the worst of the wind but I still got picked off my feet at one point. Above – Ruaridh heading up the long ridge of Garbh Bheinn (Ardgour). Ruaridh giving his “its so windy” face.View from Garbh Bheinn back towards Fort William. Winter has returned!

On the Sunday we were joined by Jago, Sarah and Gemma and headed off towards Streap. Streap is only 15 mins drive from my house but I had never been up it. We didnt really expect to be able to go all the way to the summit but actually the wind was not too bad on the top or the final grade 1 ridge and we were treated to spectacular views out to the Cuillin and back towards Ben Nevis.Looking South West.Final summit ridge as the weather changes.

I have been doing a few days of work as well. Someone said to me recently that as a Freelancer you basically do the jobs the someone else doesn’t want. If thats the case I’m fine with it. I spent valentines day with a lovely couple climbing a grade two ridge in the sun as they planned their honeymoon on Skye. There has been a fair bit of bad weather days this month. Some days you just have to find a bothy, make hot chocolate and eat loads of brownies. Linda and Miles chilling!In between bouts of work and play I have also been sorting out a new van. Wee Katie Tayler looks on as I start to drill holes! I have managed to get a little bit of climbing done – Caspar leading up behind the flake of “Flake Route Right Hand” on Church door buttress. Caspar leading the pitch above the arch just before he did a bit of a slither back down the way he’d came! Stu and I headed up the Ben with various plans. We should have known the day wouldn’t go well when we had to dig numerous vehicles out of the snow, were late setting off and had to wade through thigh deep snow to get to the base of the routes. Above – a happy Stu trying to work out where we are. Turns out that we didnt know were we were (not bad for two MIC’s!) but climbed something about the right grade. Stu coming up the initial pitch somewhere on the middle tier of Trident Buttress. My friends Jago and Sarah are living with me just now seeing what the highlands have to offer for a winter season. I insisted they join me for some mountaineering a couple of days ago and we got one of those special days climbing in the sun with amazing views and finished it off in the Nevis range cafe!Jago and Sarah on one of the last sections of “Golden Oldy” on Aonach Mor.
I can see my house from here! Its tough living in Fort William but someones got to do it.

Also posted in alastair rose, ali rose, Ben Nevis ice climbing, bothy, Climbing, Creag Meagidh, Cuillin, mountains to the sea, mountainstothesea, Scotland climbing Tagged Beinn a Chaorainn, Bothy, Fort William, Golden Oldy, Scottish Winter Climbing, Streap, Winter Climbing, Winter walking |

The trouble with Sea Kayaking

Sep

2015

by aliirose | 0 Comments

The trouble with sea kayaking is there’s an awful lot of faff involved. It also involves large amounts of driving (even though I live 100m from the sea) and it can be quite hard work. I hate faff, do a lot of driving already and usually try and find a way around hard work. This might explain why I havent managed to do much sea kayaking this year despite a looming assessment. At the start of the month Matt and Oliver agreed to join me for some faffing as I got myself ready for my “5 star leader assessment” (a grand and somewhat confusing title). The final problem with sea kayaking is that it is pretty hard to get decent pictures of the actual sea kayaking. I am therefore starting with the ubiquitous shot of the boat on a beautiful scottish beach. The three of us headed out to Arisaig to prove how inept we were at rescuing each other and ourselves – it was however a great warm up for the next 8 days of paddling for Matt and I. Matt paddling away from the Cuillin in the sound of Raasay. Strong winds stopped us getting anywhere so we were forced into a couple of nights stay at Raasay House.Ferry coming in. We headed out into some fairly big swell (again no photos as I was trying to stay upright) on a particularly wild day
After some kit sorting and drying we headed down the sound of Luing, through the corryvrechan whirlpool to the west coast of Jura. The bothy finally in sight after a great days paddlingJellyfish on the beachA couple of shots of Glen Garrisdale bothy. I’ve wanted to go here for years and it absolutely lived up to my expectations. Glen Garrisdale

The next day we headed back across the whirlpool to Scarba and across to the Garbhellachs. Coffee and and super noodles on Eileach a Naoimh Looking south over our campsite on the southern end of Garvellach Sunset looking south.The next morning we had planned to leave early to catch the flooding tide. We were met at 630 by clouds of midgies forcing us to procrastinate in the tent for 45mins. Above – Matt contemplating getting out, you can see the smear of midgies on the mesh panel on the right.

Despite all the faff, driving and hard working I love the places you can get to by sea kayak and how simple it can be to pack up a boat and head off for a few days. Oh and I passed the assessment.

Also posted in ali rose, Arisaig, Back of Keppoch, bothy, midgies, mountains to the sea, mountainstothesea, Scottish Kayaking, Skye Tagged Sea Kayaking Scotland, Sound of Luing |

May Madness part 2

Jun

2015

by aliirose | 0 Comments

Thought I would throw some more photos up while I have a bit of time. Winter does not seem to have left the Highlands quite yet but there has still been some stunning days. I have been spending quite a bit of time on Skye for work and play with a few mad dashes back home or elsewhere. I drove up to Skye after lunch one day and went for a quick solo along the the Clac Glas Blabheinn traverse. Above – The summit of Clac Glas with Blabheinn beyond. The great prow of Blabheinn. Its awesome to revisit places I havent been in years. I climbed the crack up the prow with Rasta Gav in 2002 – seems like yesterday. There are some views in Scotland that never get old. Stepping out the van at Elgol as the sunsets. I was back on Skye with Adventure Training Scotland (the MOD) working the last couple of days of a Rock Skills course with Calum Musket and Max Hunter. Great fun in a great location. Above – Calum on the classic “Integrity” with two of the lads. Max getting ready to get of the Cioch. Calum and Max sorting the ropes after a fairly wild group ascent of the Inn Pinn. What to do after a damp day in the hills? Calum leads the way into the fairy pools. I had an unexpected free day on Skye yesterday (not technically May I know) so Miles and I headed out to slay one of his dragons – Pinnacle Ridge of Sgurr Nan Gillean. Miles cruising up the upper part of Pinnacle ridge with some other climbers just approaching the abseil behindThis morning Hannah, Miles and I headed out for a quick blast down the Inchree Canyon. Hannah on the big jump.

Also posted in Canyoning, Canyoning Scotland, Cioch, Climbing, Cuillin, Inn Pinn, Pinnacle Ridge Sgurr nan Gillean, Skye

May Madness

May

2015

by aliirose | 0 Comments

Spring is an awesome time of year in Scotland with a lot going on and the tourist season kicking off. With not too much work booked in for the start of May I decided to get some professional development done as well as a bit of climbing. I had planned on a Cuillin Traverse with James to reacquaint myself before the Skye work season kicks off but the weather decided not to play ball. Instead we headed out to Neist for some climbing in the sun. I’m still waiting to get the shot of Neist Lighthouse that I want but this sunset was awesome at the end of a good days cragging. James is currently breaking into the “VS” grade so what better place to do it where all the routes are big and steep! James leading the classic “Shocks and Stares”Next up it was up to Thurso for 5 Star Sea training. Above – the first mornings launch site looking a bit full on!So we headed to much calmer water! We had planned to paddle round Duncansby Head (John o’ Groats) but moved further west to paddle round Dunnet Head – the most northerly point on the British mainland. Looking back at Dunnet Head. Not really 5 star sea kayaking conditions! We then headed out for a night paddle – belowAfter leaving Thurso I drove down to Sheigra – an area I have never been too. I headed out in the evening to one of the climbing areas to find waves breaking over the wall which is 30m high. Above – stormy seas as the sun sets.Driving out to Reiff to meet Tim Hamlet I stopped to take a shot looking back East towards Stac Pollaidh.
Tim at the very steep “Inverpollaidh Rock Gym”Me on the not so steep “Moon Jelly” at Reiff. (courtesy of Tim Hamlet)
Somehow I convinced Tim to have a shot at the worst looking route at Reiff. “Stop… Go”. Tim stopping and going! Turns out its a bit harder than the guidebook suggests.Then it was time for more training – this time 4 Star Canoe. I am not known for my ability in a canoe but this was a lot of fun learning some of the dark arts of open boating. Shelter from the storm!Ollie surfing with style on the FindhornHannah cruising on the final rapid – quality facial expression!And finally back home for a couple of days. I spent a day working on the Aonach Eagach and then met up with Hannah and Miles to go climb the classic “Agags Groove” on the Buachille. Above – Hannah and Miles checking out the Buachilles Glacier.
Miles Cruising on the steep pitch (Vdiff!!!)Miles making another inappropriate derogatory comment about my climbing/belaying.

Mays not over but things are about go get busy. More photos coming soon………

Also posted in agags groove, alastair rose, ali rose, Buachille Etive Mor, canoe, Climbing, Kayaking, mountains to the sea, mountainstothesea, Reiff Climbing, Scotland climbing, Scottish Kayaking, Stac Pollaidg

Spring is here!

Apr

2015

by aliirose | 0 Comments

Its definitely the changing of the seasons here in Fort William. Fresh snow out on the hill today but bright sunshine and long daylight hours. I thought I would get a quick blog done before the end of the month as I have a few days work coming up and already loads of great photos from April. I went bouldering! Or rather I watched some friends boulder and drank some rather nice ginger tea. Naomi cranking it out on the heather hat boulder. It looks like they-re bouldering but really just sheltering from the rain and trying not to get dripped on! Spring is also Duke of Edinburgh Award season. – End of another tough day at the office. While on a DofE expedition I wandered down to the falls of Falloch in the evening to get this shot. Loch Lomond from the West Highland Way Stephen Beard cranking out one of the VS’s at Scimitar buttress. My sister and Adam stopped in for a night after their honeymoon and I took them on the obligatory Fort William walk up to Steall Falls. My sis on the bridge (only because our other sister had done it!)Just to prove it was in fact Spring we decided to go canyoning in the Allt Mhuillin. Miles, Hannah and Andy feeling ready for some snow melt below Ben Nevis!Miles Abseiling while Andy goes for the jump

Next up Miles and I had planned to head to skye for the Cuillin Ridge. The weather decided that it wanted to change our plans so we headed to Rubha Huinnish instead.

“The Lookout” Bothy at Rubha Huinnish. As the most northerly tip of Skye we knew it was going to be good but it really was spectacular with big cliffs on all sides and amazing views.
Miles in the doorway after a night in the lookout. We had a leisurely start before heading out climbing. Looking back along the sea cliffs to the bothy (the small lump in the upper cliff!) Miles heading up the first pitch of an adventurous VS on the cliffs below the bothyPanoramic viewsThe next morning we headed to the Elgol sea cliffs for a quick couple of routes. Miles traversing the bottom of the cliff with views to Rum and Eigg
Miles leading the crag classic “Jamie Jampot” After the Skye trip I was trying to line up climbing partners with good weather days. First up (above) a great day in Ardnamurchan with Brodie and (below) a great day at Creag Dubh with James, Andy, Masa, Steve and Scott. Andy Nisbet on the start of “The Hill”Another photo just to prove I do work! River crossing while out on a leadership assessment with the College – Mamores in the backgroundAnd finally a great day at the East Face of Aonach Dubh with Graham and Hannah. After getting confused about routes early on we then managed to climb all three E3’s on the face and some quality HVS’s. Above – Graham leading the “The Fly”

Also posted in alastair rose, ali rose, Ardnamurchan, Ardnamurchan climbing, bothy, Climbing, East Face of Aonach Dubh, gabbro, Meall an Fhir Eion, mountains to the sea, mountainstothesea, Rhum Cuillin, Scotland climbing

Shelterstone

Sep

2014

by aliirose | 0 Comments

I usually manage a climbing trip to some far flung destination every year but this year looks a little different. I have so many places I still want to get to in Scotland and with the vote on independence this month (yesterday!) I decided to stay at home. First up was the Loch A’an basin in the Cairngorms. If you have never seen this side of the cairngorms scroll down to the last couple of pictures and I’m sure it will entice. For me I really wanted to get some routes done on the shelterstone and managed to convince Adam into walking in at night to go for “The Needle” the next day. Before the needle (and before Adam got up) I nipped up Afterthought arete and we headed back to Stag rocks in the evening to climb “Monarch of the Glen”. The day after we climbed “Prince of Darkness” on Hells Lum – Same grade as the Needle but a fair bit harder in my opinion!

Adam starting up the first pitch of the needle. This route was first climbed by one of my all time heros Robin Smith – Hard to picture him leading this stuff in 1960!
Adam enjoying another exposed pitch with Hells Lum crag in the background.Midgies! Enough to ruin any climbing day but thankfully only in our camp for a wee while at dawn and dusk.
My wee yellow tent below the Sheltersone crag. Just like Yosemite really!
Looking down the wonderfull Loch A’an at dawn.
Carn Etchacan, Shelterstone and Hells Lum from the head of Loch A’an
The trouble with climbing (or maybe its the best thing about it!) is that once you do the route you want to do you see another couple that look just as good or better. I could spend a fortnight camped in the same place and climb every day, especially if I get to wake up to this view every morning!

Also posted in alastair rose, ali rose, Cairngorm Rock Climbing, Cairngorms, Climbing, mountains to the sea, mountainstothesea, Needle, Shelterstone, The Needle Tagged Autumn colours Scotland, Cairngorms, Classic Rock, mountainstothesea, Needle, Scotland, Scotland climbing, Scottish mountains, Shelterstone, The Needle |

Colours Changing

Sep

2014

by aliirose | 0 Comments

As some will know I am not the biggest fan of summer. Dont get me wrong I love the long daylight hours where the evenings never end or sitting in the sun on a warm day but if truth be told I do find summer days a bit boring. Give me a stormy day any day of the week and I am much happier. August in Scotland finally sees the colours change to something a lot more exciting, golden bracken and purple heather across the hilss with the nights “fair drawing in” makes for a much more impressive landscape. August was again busy for me and quite exciting as I finally bought a new camera body, something I have been planning for about 2-3 years! Patrick with one of the smalles lobsters of the season Adam at the base of the first fall in Cruachcan canyon. This canyon is great if you like, wet slippy sharp rock, sketchy downclimbs, shallow pools, and awkward loose abseils. A long dayMatt at the base of the first fall in Cruachcan canyon
The end of the summer means the Mackerel shoals are huge – 12 rods for 45 mins = approximately 200 fish. Or if your the instructer = lost of killing, hooks in your fingers and blood everywhere! Iona staring down the 200 fish ready for salting Falls of Orchy on the River Orchy. I took this before a great day on the river with Patrick, Dave, Mark and Matt

Heather and Bracken on the summit of Lunga looking North.
The Sound of Luing by night. I have been planning this shot for a while and we finally got some good clear nights in the middle of August. The bright glow is Oban with the yellow patches the villages of Easdale and Cullipool Another panorama from the summit of Lunga looking WestSunset over the Caol in front of the main house at high tide – another shot I’ve been planning for a while.

September for me means a bit of time off so watch this space.

Also posted in alastair rose, ali rose, mountains to the sea, Uncategorized Tagged Alastair Rose, Ali Rose, Baby Lobster, Lobster, Long Exposure, Mackerel, mountainstothesea, Mountainstotheseaphotography, Scottish Landscape, Sound of Luing |

Warm Water

Aug

2014

by aliirose | 0 Comments

The sea has finally warmed up along with some very hot weather and a lot of rainfall. This means that I have actually been doing things other than climbing for once. Sorry climbers this months photos are all watery and proof that I occasionally do other things than hang out in the mountains. I have also managed to take some landscape photos which has fallen a little by the wayside in recent months.

Sailing boat with the Cuillin of Rhum behind. Went for a walk with Hannah today and it was meant to be torrential rain – we were a bit surprised to see this!
Small Isles from the parking spot on the walk out to Rhue.

Dave doing well on his first grade 4 – Headbanger on spean gorge. A great day in a beautiful gorge! (photo courtesy of Janna)

I have probably put a similar photo up before – an evenings paddle from work in the sound of Luing.Finally got around to doing one of the local canyons. Matt going big on the first jump.
On Expedition with Pete – decided to build him a friend to admire the view with. Some fishing in the rain with my sister and Adam – only three fish! Spent an afternoon on Belnahua on a day where it must have been 30+deg. Belnahua is a great place to explore but all we managed was a lot of swimming in one of the old slate mines. Mark, Hannah and Dave Jumping Dave showing us how its done. Finally the nights are long enough and clear enough for some night photography. Looking North and West from just outside my bedroom!Looking NW. The white spot is a yachts mast head light in the Black Isle Gap.Matt working hard on Fair Steps at the start of Spean Gorge.