Category Archives: History

1965’s Scottish Climbing School Glencoe . Some names here . Dougal Haston, John Harlin, Tom Patey. Ely Moriarty, John Cunningham Rusty Ballie .

Posted on July 8, 2021 by heavywhalley.MBE

Could you imagine being taught by these climbers in 1965 ? Think of all the news routes they would have climbed. They were the some of the cream of Scottish climbing of that era . I wonder if anyone remembers … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, History, Ice climbing Canada, Mountaineering, People, Recomended books and Guides, Scottish winter climbing., Views Mountaineering, Well being | 1 Comment

What was your favourite clothing for mountaineering.

Posted on February 6, 2021 by heavywhalley.MBE

A great bit of gear was a simple thin wind stop top. I am sure it was designed for the artic was light and very effective in wind. I was issued with one of these in the very early 70,s. … Continue reading →

Posted in Equipment, Gear, History, Mountain rescue, mountain safety, Mountaineering, Rock Climbing, Views Mountaineering, Well being | 5 Comments

A short wander along the Coffin Trail / Kenmore / Arrina woodland footpath and Kenmore to Applecross

Posted on December 6, 2020 by heavywhalley.MBE

The coffin route to Applecross. 15 kilometres of walking . I had a short but enjoyable wander yesterday from near my friends house on the Kenmore / Arrina woodland footpath and Kenmore to Applecross footpath. At Kenmore there’s a small … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Enviroment, Friends, History, Mountaineering, People, Weather, Well being | Leave a comment

Whitley Crash Forres – and Forres Airfields.

Posted on July 14, 2020 by heavywhalley.MBE

A few years ago I was contact by a family whose father (Phil) was born 6 weeks after his father was killed in an aircraft crash on An Lurg near Bynack Mor in the Cairngorms during the war. Info – … Continue reading →

Posted in Aircraft incidents, Articles, History, Local area and events to see | 4 Comments

Early Social Distancing – Strathfarrar, An Teallach memories.

Posted on June 9, 2020 by heavywhalley.MBE

When I was at RAF Leuchars as the Mountain Rescue Team Leader I used to raid the far North of Scotland (that was RAF Kinloss MRT Area) We had many great weekend. Sadly it took a bit of convincing the … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Bothies, Enviroment, Friends, History, Islands, Mountain rescue, Mountaineering, Munros, Views Mountaineering, Well being | Leave a comment

Ben Nevis Secrets no 2 – THE REASON WHY THE OLD SHELTERS ON CARN DEARG AND COIRE LEIS (Ben Nevis) WERE REMOVED.

Posted on May 7, 2020 by heavywhalley.MBE

I was looking for a photo of the old shelter on Carn Dearg not the Ben Nevis summit shelter.  The shelter on Ben Nevis’ neighbouring summit, Carn Dearg, was removed in 2004 as ‘the shelter is often buried in snow … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, History, Mountain rescue, mountain safety, Mountaineering, Munros, Scottish winter climbing., Views Mountaineering, Weather, Well being | 2 Comments

Willie Mac – Local boy retires a big thanks from RAF MR and your old mates.

Posted on April 9, 2020 by heavywhalley.MBE

I met Willie Mac as a young lad from Harris who joined the RAF Leuchars MRT, he was enticed to join by Stampy a tiger in his day. He worked in Workshops and had not long joined the RAF. In … Continue reading →

Posted in Bothies, Enviroment, Equipment, Expeditions - Alaska - Himalayas etc, Friends, Gear, Himalayas/ Everest, History, Lockerbie, Mountain rescue, Mountaineering, Munros, People, Rock Climbing, Views Mountaineering, Well being | 3 Comments

The Island of Barra – Call – out 1984

Posted on April 8, 2020 by heavywhalley.MBE

Barra is the most southerly of the inhabited islands in the Outer Hebrides. Long famed for its beauty – boasting beaches, hills, machair and moor all in a small island – Barra is a special place to visit, especially if … Continue reading →

Posted in Aircraft incidents, History, Mountain rescue, Mountaineering, Other hills Grahams & Donalds, People, Weather, Well being | Leave a comment

Well done the Skye Sculpture Group

Posted on February 22, 2020 by heavywhalley.MBE

I wrote this two years ago about the planned Sculpture on Skye. “I love Skye after over 40 years of adventures on this magical Island . I love its history and it people and have so many incredible days on … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Local area and events to see, Mountaineering, Munros, Rock Climbing, Views Mountaineering, Well being | Leave a comment

Moray Mountaineering Club Journal Vol 1 no 2. A classic.

Posted on January 31, 2020 by heavywhalley.MBE

In the old days the MMC used to produce a Annual Journal . This was an amazing read like the one I have been given. It was written after a visit by mountaineer Noel Odell to speak to Moray Mountaineering … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, History, Mountaineering, People, Recomended books and Guides, Rock Climbing, Scottish winter climbing., Views Mountaineering, Well being | 1 Comment