In this podcast John D. Burns talks to mountaineer and producer / director, Joe French, about his important new book, Out of Mind. Joe writes as both victim and observer of trauma, providing an acutely immediate account of the events he has experienced, with a fragile honesty. Trauma made more bearable by meditation and the mindfulness of barefoot running: Joe’s spiritual and physical connection to nature and the ground beneath his feet. Out of Mind documents four separate traumatic experiences: The first free ascent of Don’t Die of Ignorance, Ben Nevis, in 2008; the 2014 avalanche at Everest ..read more

Do we take our hills for granted? Do we ever stop to think about the toll our boots and wheels are taking on the fragile mountain environment. Listen to Stuart Younie, CEO Mountaineering Scotland talking about the crucial role Mountaineering Scotland is playing in a new project, It's Up to US , Which aims to raise awareness of the need to save our upland paths and pull together funding to enable work to begin on the most sensitive areas. An Teallach An Teallach is an iconic mountain. Seen from a distance it looks magnificent. But take a closer look. The damage from hundreds of feet is plain to ..read more

John Burns talks to fell runner, Steve Chilton, about his life running in the mountains and his work as an author. Previously published by Sandstone Press Steve has now joined leading outdoor publisher, Vertebrate Publishing. Steve Chilton Steve Chilton is the author of four previous books on fell and mountainrunning, all highly regarded both inside and outside the sport. He is along-time member of the Fellrunners Association and has run in manyof the classic fell races and mountain marathons. Steve is also a formerChair of the Society of Cartographers and of the ICA Commission inNeocartograph ..read more

John D. Burns talks to author Tim Woods about his book of stories about high places. Available from Amazon Twisted Mountains is a collection of short stories set among the summits of England, Scotland and Wales, from Ben Hope to the South Downs. Each tells the story of someone who has their own reasons to be in the mountains. From a vengeful student to obsessive hostel owner, the wannabe biker to the Wainwright expert with a secret. While the stories are varied in their subjects, all have mountains at their heart and a dark humour running through them. Authored by Tim Woods, Twisted Mountains ..read more

Marcus Stitz grew up behind the Iron Curtain in East Germany where all travel was closely regulated and people were only allowed into certain zones when they had obtained the correct permit. riding his bike allowed the young Markus to slip beneath the radar of the authorities and he discovered a new freedom. Cycling soon became Markus' passion and led to many adventures in the saddle including cycling around the world. Markus has now made his home in Scotland and in this podcast he talks to John D Burns about some of the great multi-day trips he has discovered on his doorstep. Released 18 May ..read more

This is a mini podcast to tell you all about what I'll be doing on the 3 May in Stirling. I'm taking my show, Bothy Tales, on the road. There will be stories from my adventures. Poems about my life in the hills and quite a few laughs. Do come along if you can Here's the event link. Ochils Mountaineering Club talk - John D Burns, author Tickets, Wed 3 May 2023 at 20:00 | Eventbrite ..read more

It's remarkable how many famous authors have also been keen walkers. What is the link between walking and creativity? Linda Cracknell talks to John D Burns about her love of walking and how it brings her closer to the landscape and influences her writing. Linda Cracknell is a writer of narrative non-fiction on the natural world, as well as of fiction and radio scripts. Her first story collection was nominated for a Saltire Award (now Scotland’s National Book Awards) and the Robin Jenkins Award for environmental writing, and her essay collection Doubling Back: Ten Paths Trodden in Memory ..read more

Jon Barton, who runs Vertebrate Publishing, talks about how new guidebooks and new technology is encouraging more people with a wide range of ability into the outdoors. Once the outdoors was the kingdom of a race of bearded men in old jumpers - now all that has changed. John Barton talks about how new technology and more sophisticated guide books has changed the face of the average outdoor person. The beards and pullovers have gone. Adventurous women now form at least half the the folk you are likely to meet on a remote footpath or see halfway up a rock face. Jon Barton talks about the trends ..read more

Sometimes a landscape can cast a spell on you, drawing you to it and leaving you changed forever. In John McLellan's new novel, The Faultline, he charts the experiences of a group of young people whose lives are changed inexorably by the time they spend in the wilds of the the Scottish Highlands. A coming of age story, this novel is about love and life, set in a bold, uncompromising, ageless landscape. There are journeys to places from which we never return - this is the story of such a journey and such a place. Available from Ullapool Bookshop John McLellan ..read more

From small beginnings Fort William Mountain Festival has become one of the biggest celebrations of outdoor activities in the UK. Now there's a broad range of activities from Mountain Biking, hill running, climbing and walking. As well as the brand new Golden Axe Film competition. In this episode, Hannah Francis, Content Coordinator for the Festival, talks about the Festivals rise to prominence and some of the many events on offer. Hannah Francis Click here to book your tickets and find out more ..read more