Monthly Archives: September 2023

A windy wander to The Old Man of Hoy.

Posted on September 29, 2023 by heavywhalley.MBE

This was our last day in Orkney we were up early to get the ferry. I was feeling not great and the weather forecast was poor with very high winds. The wee ferry was fine and we took the car … Continue reading →

Posted in Enviroment, Equipment, Friends, Islands, Mountaineering, Rock Climbing, Views Political?, Weather, Well being, Wildlife | Leave a comment

Orkney a visit to Yesnaby . Sea stacks and memories.

Posted on September 28, 2023 by heavywhalley.MBE

This was one of the places in Orkney I wanted to revisited. When your younger you race about in places like this. They become another tick in a list. You are chasing tides and have so many other things on … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Gear, Islands, Mountain rescue, Mountaineering, People, Rock Climbing, Views Mountaineering, Weather, Well being, Wildlife | 2 Comments

Orkney – The Stones of Stenness

Posted on September 27, 2023 by heavywhalley.MBE

Today we wanted to be away early the weather would change and also miss the Cruise ships buses and the crowds.The Stones of Stenness are part of the Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage Site, a series of important domestic … Continue reading →

Posted in Enviroment, Friends, Islands, People, Plants, Recomended books and Guides, Views Political?, Weather, Well being, Wildlife | Leave a comment

More on my visit to Orkney Birsay a very special tidal island .

Posted on September 26, 2023 by heavywhalley.MBE

Birsay was probably a Pictish power centre, and the village itself is likely the site of the first Orcadian bishopric (diocese) and seat of the earldom of Orkney. The words ‘brough’ and ‘birsay’ both come from the Old Norse ‘borg’ … Continue reading →

Posted in Islands, People, Weather, Well being, Wildlife | 1 Comment

Search continues to locate missing Walker in Glencoe.

Posted on September 26, 2023 by heavywhalley.MBE

There has been another effort to locate the missing Walker in Glencoe. Thank you all for your continued dedication. The groundcovered is very technical and as always I think about those involved in the search. You are all special people. … Continue reading →

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Update on missing person on Skye from Skye Mountain Rescue Team.

Posted on September 25, 2023 by heavywhalley.MBE

“Update: Search for Missing Walker Francis Johnson After a dedicated search of Coir’a Grunndha and Sgurr nan Eag in challenging weather conditions on Friday, our search efforts resumed on Saturday morning with a larger team, focusing on a different area … Continue reading →

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Orkney Revisited.

Posted on September 24, 2023 by heavywhalley.MBE

I have been so lucky in the past to visit Orkney several times. Most times I was involved with climbing, exercises with the Coastguards, climbing on the Old Man of Hoy. I rarely had time to visit the wonderful Island … Continue reading →

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Mountain Accidents.

Posted on September 23, 2023 by heavywhalley.MBE

There has been a lot of interest in the sad amount of mountain fatalities this year. Sadly I have have been involved in many incidents in the past During my spell in the Mountain rescue committee I was also the … Continue reading →

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Personal Locater Beacons – for use in an emergency.

Posted on September 21, 2023 by heavywhalley.MBE

I have been asked a lot recently about carrying a Personal Lo cator Beacon on the hill. There are many views on this subject. Mountaineering Scotland has a great advice as do many other outdoor reviewers and media. Over 50 … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Book, Friends, Mountain rescue, Mountaineering, Views Mountaineering, Well being | 2 Comments

28 July 1987 – USA F111 Aircraft crash near Lauder in the Borders . Moving a satellite for communications ,lessons learned.

Posted on September 20, 2023 by heavywhalley.MBE

I think this was One of my first aircraft call outs as Team Leader of RAF Leuchars MRT – sadly both crew were killed. It was a tragic scene with wreckage everywhere in a big field in the Borders. When … Continue reading →

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