Category Archives: Bothies

Poetry on the hills – How I missed out for so long .

Posted on September 22, 2021 by heavywhalley.MBE

Norman MacCaig. This is part of his work that made me read lots of his poetry. I love the poetry of the mountains and wild places and coming from Ayr the land of Robbie Burns it makes me sorry I … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Bothies, Mountaineering, People, Poems, Recomended books and Guides, Views Mountaineering, Well being | 2 Comments

All well in Crianlarich – visiting Aunty Elma a lady who always looks after RAF MRT.

Posted on September 17, 2021 by heavywhalley.MBE

On my way back from the deep South from a good trip with old pals I drove to see Aunty Elma at Crianlarich. My old mountaineering mates tell me I need to post cheery posts. Elma has looked after many … Continue reading →

Posted in Bothies, Family, Friends, Health, History, Mountain rescue, Mountaineering, People, Weather, Well being | Leave a comment

Keswick Mountain Festival thanks to all.

Posted on September 12, 2021 by heavywhalley.MBE

Yesterday I did a Q & A ( Question & Answer session) with Cameron McNeish at the Keswick Mountain Festival. I travelled down to another world from Scotland. It was so busy and there first big event since Covid. I … Continue reading →

Posted in Bothies, Friends, Lectures, Local area and events to see, Mountaineering, People, Well being | 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

Enthusiasm on An Teallach

Posted on June 20, 2021 by heavywhalley.MBE

Yesterday was an early start up at 0400 as I was meeting an old pal Tommy Pilling who was up staying at Gairloch for a week. Tommy was in days of yore a typical of a young troop in Mountain … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Bothies, Friends, Mountain rescue, Mountaineering, Views Mountaineering, Weather, Well being, Wildlife | Leave a comment

A bothy tale – Early winter Dec 1978 – The Mamores and an encounter at Meannanach bothy.

Posted on June 8, 2021 by heavywhalley.MBE

We were on our first winter traverse West to East of Scotland. We had done a North to South a year earlier and John Hinde one of our mentors had said “if you think your fit try one unsupported in … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Bothies, Friends, Gear, Hill running and huge days!, Mountain rescue, mountain safety, Mountaineering, People, Views Mountaineering, Well being | Leave a comment

The Cairngorm 6 a long time ago. Braeriach, Cairn Toul and Sgor an Lochan Uaine,Devils Point,Sgurr a Mhain ,Ben MacDui, Cairngorm. Scrambles and aircraft crashes?

Posted on April 17, 2021 by heavywhalley.MBE

Some of my Mountaineering club were are away doing some of the great peaks in the Cairngorms . It’s great to see and I heard they had a great time. These peaks mean so much to me I have had … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Books, Bothies, Enviroment, Friends, Mountain rescue, Mountaineering, People, Recomended books and Guides, Scottish winter climbing., SMC/SMT, Views Mountaineering, Weather, Well being | 10 Comments

Memories of the first bothy I used Back hill of Bush Galloway

Posted on April 6, 2021 by heavywhalley.MBE

Memories of my first bothy Back of the Bush Galloway. Please note all Bothies are still closed due to Covid restrictions. From the MBA website https://www.mountainbothies.org.uk/ Please be aware that this website is the only up to date source of … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Bothies, Enviroment, Mountain rescue, mountain safety, Mountaineering, Weather, Wildlife | 2 Comments

Roybridge Village Hall – Roy fridge. In praise of village halls.

Posted on March 29, 2021 by heavywhalley.MBE

I wrote last week about Mountain Rescue cooking and the nightmare it caused for many of the troops in the team. We all had to take turns cooking for a day when we were accepted in the team. That reminded … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Bothies, Friends, Mountain rescue, Mountaineering, People, Views Mountaineering, Well being | 9 Comments

Remote Bothies & Youth Hostels

Posted on March 28, 2021 by heavywhalley.MBE

Whats your favourite bothy or Youth Hostel? I like Affric Youth Hostel mainly along with Ossian Youth Hostel great places superb locations. Affric is a fair walk in from Kintail or Affric and Ossian unless you take the train is … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Bothies, Enviroment, Friends, Mountain rescue, mountain safety, Mountaineering, Well being | 2 Comments