Category Archives: Wildlife

St Kilda – is this a Tragedy

Posted on May 16, 2024 by heavywhalley.MBE

I was sent this photo of St Kilda ( VIlage Bay. It was published by Bella Caledonia. “This image from St Kilda is soul-destroying. Late capitalism, over-tourism and climate catastrophe converge. I wrote about it last year: bellacaledonia.org.uk/2023/09/16/cal…” National Trust … Continue reading →

Posted in Enviroment, Mountaineering, Weather, Well being, Wildlife | 1 Comment

Early days Arran

Posted on May 2, 2024 by heavywhalley.MBE

Travelling from my hometown in Ayr we holidayed in the nearby Arran the boat over was always like coming to another world! We were a big family of 5 kids ( i was the youngest) that feeling of being on … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Enviroment, Equipment, Islands, Mountaineering, Well being, Wildlife | Leave a comment

Classic ice tools

Posted on January 18, 2024 by heavywhalley.MBE

Old ice tools- Chounaird Climax and Chounaird Zero These axes were incredible for their size they were designed by the great icon of ice climbing Yvonne Chounaird. They were the state of the art at the time. Bill March the … Continue reading →

Posted in Equipment, Gear, History, Mountain rescue, mountain safety, Mountaineering, Rock Climbing, Views Mountaineering, Wildlife | 3 Comments

International Mountain Day

Posted on December 11, 2023 by heavywhalley.MBE

Since I was a wee boy in Galloway and Arran the mountains have been my love. They have given me great days and sad sad days. The mountains have taken friends yet more than often they provided such joy. I … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Enviroment, Expeditions - Alaska - Himalayas etc, Falklands Islands, Mountain rescue, Mountaineering, Munros, Views Mountaineering, Well being, Wildlife | Leave a comment

Appreciation of meeting old friends – Annual Re Union at Newtonmore for RAF Scotland.

Posted on November 5, 2023 by heavywhalley.MBE

This weekend was spent at the RAF “Annual Re Union at Newtonmore” it was a great weekend , We were there for the Friday night as some great pals were also making a weekend off it. As always we were … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Charity, Family, Health, Mountain rescue, Mountaineering, People, Scottish winter climbing., Views Mountaineering, Weather, Well being, Wildlife | 2 Comments

You know it’s bad when the birds are hiding near the harbour.

Posted on October 21, 2023 by heavywhalley.MBE

It’s been wild for a few days constant rain ,big seas and wild wind’s. The seas are really big with huge waves. You see the power of nature watching them crash on the harbour walls. I have to take the … Continue reading →

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Orkney: some thoughts. To me it seems to have many things right. We could learn from a lot from here.

Posted on October 2, 2023 by heavywhalley.MBE

I am just back from a trip to Orkney I had been a few times before but always climbing or on Exercise with the helicopter or the Coastguards over the years. Yet my visit last week re opened my eyes … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Flora, Friends, Health, Local area and events to see, Mountaineering, People, Views Political?, Weather, Well being, Wildlife | 2 Comments

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