After spending the last 4 nights in the mountains the imperative to re-provision asserted itself, time to return to civilisation. I tramped up to Hare's Gap which had a dusting of snow and into the teeth of a very chill wind. The snow seemed pristine and I wondered if I was the only person up there today; but a single set of boot prints leading from the gate in the wall in the direction of the diamond rocks told of a braver soul than me. The drop down from the wall to the Trassey track is not at all challenging, but [View Full Entry]

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On first reading the words of Marie Antoinette "let them eat cake" sound positively benevolent, I'll have some cherry cake please or maybe a Mr Kipling's special with a cup of tea. What's the problem? We are obviously dealing with a very kind woman. Conscious of the hardships of the French people, a little bit of cake would help revive their flagging spirits. Of course, you probably all know about the context the word were used in (although it is disputed that she actually ever did say "qu'ils mangent de la brioche."), but more of her later. I'm writing this at [View Full Entry]

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Rum - The Forbidden Island. An island with a dark history of errant landlords and forced emigration. On one day in July 1826, 350 inhabitants of the island of Rum, off the west coast of Scotland, woke to find their world changed forever. A crofting community, their industry could not produce enough wealth to pay off the debts of their landlord. The landlords solution? Force them all onto a boat to take them to Nova Scotia and replace them with 8000 sheep. Eventually the debt-ridden landlord was forced to sell the island and it became the private playground of a rich [View Full Entry]

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With dolphins off the starboard bow, Arran suddenly looms through the clearing cloud and mist, the flanks of Goatfell shining bright and green as the sunlight finds its way through. I've just spent a weekend up in Lochaber for the summer solstice and I'm now heading over to Arran for a weeks wild camping. The weather over the weekend has been dreadful and the coming week doesn't look to be any better; the clearing skies give me hope that I might stay at least a little dry. As the boat nears Brodick the skies clear further and as I set foot [View Full Entry]

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The sun is shining on probably the first real day of summer and I've forgotten the insoles to my boots. Pretty stupid thing to do, especially considering that I said out loud "these boots feel really loose" when I was putting them on. All is not lost however, I'm in Ballycastle and I'm sure that I'll be able to pick up some replacements. My optimism is dashed as all I can find is a thin pair of dress shoe insoles. Looks like the next few days could be a bit uncomfortable and I'm hoping I don't injure my feet. I'm staying [View Full Entry]

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