Monthly Archives: August 2021

Long Gone Ferries Ballahullish, Skye, Cape Wrath ! Any memories ?

Posted on August 13, 2021 by heavywhalley.MBE

Ferry memories: One of the classics was The Old Skye Ferry before the Bridge was built. It used to take us over to Skye for training and for Call outs. In these days there was no Kessock bridge at Inverness. … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Enviroment, Equipment, Friends, History, Local area and events to see, Mountain rescue, Mountaineering, People, Sailing trips, Views Mountaineering | 4 Comments

Never take for granted our Families and how much they give us! Thank you all.

Posted on August 12, 2021 by heavywhalley.MBE

When I started Mountain Rescue in 1972 I was in the RAF had few responsibilities. I was like many very driven (looking back obsessed) by Mountaineering. Nothing else mattered at that period in my life. My family at home suffered … Continue reading →

Posted in Family, Friends, Mountain rescue, Mountaineering, People, Well being | 1 Comment

Animal Rescues. Sheep at Applecross and the Bull on the Five Sisters ridge at Kintail.

Posted on August 12, 2021 by heavywhalley.MBE

My first animal rescue was around Applecross near the Cioch Nose where several sheep had got stuck on steep crags. Seemingly it was an annual event and a few of the Kinloss Team were sent up to help. As a … Continue reading →

Posted in Enviroment, Equipment, Mountain rescue, mountain safety, Mountaineering, Views Mountaineering, Wildlife | Leave a comment

Hamish MacInnes – The Fox of Glencoe. Thanks for the review Adrian.

Posted on August 11, 2021 by heavywhalley.MBE

My friend Adrian Trednal wrote this in “All things Cuillin” on Facebook. He has given me permission to use it. I personally loved the book it is a wealth of stories by a man I miss and many others dearly. … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Books, Friends, Mountain rescue, Mountaineering, People, Scottish winter climbing., SMC/SMT, Views Mountaineering, Well being | 2 Comments

1976 The North to South of Scotland walk the first week, Big bags, Big Learning.

Posted on August 10, 2021 by heavywhalley.MBE

I was tiding up and found a few old Walk basic reports this was of the 1976 North – South Walk. The aim – This was a mountaineering expedition from the most Northerly Mountain in Scotland Ben Hope to the … Continue reading →

Posted in Mountaineering | 2 Comments

Enjoy the Outdoors more make it a family affair! More great advice from Mountaineering Scotland

Posted on August 7, 2021 by heavywhalley.MBE

I have always tried to encourage young people and families to get out on the hills and wild places. I was lucky as I was introduced at an early age by my parents . We had great holidays and adventures … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Corbetts and other hills, Family, Friends, Gear, Mountaineering, People, Views Mountaineering, Weather, Well being, Wildlife | 2 Comments

More on Big Boots on climbs some of the comments received.

Posted on August 7, 2021 by heavywhalley.MBE

These are just a few comments of Climbing in Big Boots some classics : Mark Hartree – Had some fun days in big boots. Slabs in Wales, ridges in Scotland, sea cliffs on Anglesey. (Dream of White Horses in plastics) … Continue reading →

Posted in Enviroment, Equipment, mountain safety, Mountaineering, People, Rock Climbing, Views Mountaineering, Weather | Leave a comment

Kinloch Castle up for sale on Rum!

Posted on August 6, 2021 by heavywhalley.MBE

Sorry no blogs as I was over on the West Coast and the internet was down. It’s sorted now ! I see Kinloch Castle is up for sale on the Island of Rum. I have great memories of the Island. … Continue reading →

Posted in Bothies, Corbetts, Enviroment, Friends, Islands, Mountain rescue, Mountaineering, People, Recomended books and Guides, Views Mountaineering, Weather, Wildlife | Leave a comment

Climbing in Big Boots and Wet rock!

Posted on August 3, 2021 by heavywhalley.MBE

It used to be a thing in RAF Mountain Rescue to be able to climb in Big Boots and then on wet rock. The quote is mainly in big boots and a hill bag they said it was “character building”! … Continue reading →

Posted in Mountain rescue, mountain safety, Mountaineering, Rock Climbing | 4 Comments

Beinn Eighe boots !

Posted on August 2, 2021 by heavywhalley.MBE

The boots in the photo above were worn by my old pal Joss Gosling who had them on the RAF Kinloss MRT. He was a member of the team as a young man that located the Lancaster on Beinn Eighe … Continue reading →

Posted in Aircraft incidents, Articles, Friends, Mountain rescue, Mountaineering, Well being | Leave a comment