Mountaineering Scotland and the British Mountaineering Council (BMC) have announced a joint project aimed at improving the safety of hillwalkers, climbers, mountaineers and others who enjoy spending time exploring the hills and mountains.  The “Near Miss” online reporting system, which encourages the collection and sharing of reports from close calls in the mountains, consists of a simple online form that can be completed by anyone in the UK and Ireland. Information collected by the system will be available for everyone to read, with the hope that people will learn from the experiences of ..read more

Ultra runner Pawel Cymbalista has ticked off another FKT (Fastest Known Time) for a Scottish long-distance trail. This time it was the Rob Roy way. The runner form Mallaig ran the 79-mile Rob Roy Way, with a total ascent of 2741m, in 13 hours 55 minutes 6 seconds on March 20, 2024. He ran the route north to south.  What is the Rob Roy Way? The Rob Roy Way travels through the eastern Highlands, tracing the historical path of Scotland’s legendary outlaw, Rob Roy MacGregor, who lived from 1671 to 1734.  The route can be completed from Drymen to Pitlochry or vice versa. Many people ..read more

Anyone who follows the adventure and ultra running community will know about Nicky Spinks and her impressive race and challenge results. Her list of achievements includes setting a new record for the Bob Graham Round in 2015, the first double Ramsay Round in 2018 and the first woman in the 100-mile Arc of Attrition in 2022.  But did you know the start of her long-distance running was in 2004 when she decided to try her first long-distance hill running race, the Heart of Granite, which was part of the Bruce’s Crown event in the Galloway hills? Nicky in Heart of Granite in 2004. It seems ..read more

The Salewa Ortles Light Mid PTX boots have been designed for “mountaineers who want to move fast in all conditions”. The brand suggest the boots offer a combination of lightweight protection with climbing performance. Features include: Pomoca Alpine Light outsole for grip and traction Edging Plate 2 technology and a stabiliser in the rear of the midsole for torsional stiffness Suitable for semi-automatic crampons. 3F system with Kevlar cables to “cradle the heel” Two-part customisable footbed PFC-free nylon fabric upper with Powertex PFC-free membrane Protective rubber rand Anti-debris stret ..read more

Home to some of India’s most recognisable sights, northern India is a region defined by splendid architecture, atmospheric cities, great scenery and traditional rural life. There a many attractions to visit in what is known as the Golden triangle. Taj Mahal Located on the southern bank of the Yamuna River in Agra, the Taj Mahal is an architectural masterpiece and a monument dedicated to love. The ivory-white marble structure was constructed by the Monarch Shah Jahan as a tribute to his spouse Mumtaz Mahal. Millions of people visit this UNESCO World Heritage site, marvelling at the exquisi ..read more

Come each January many of us decide to turn over a new leaf and get fitter and more active. We commit to hitting the gym at least once a week and plan to eat more healthily. But, unfortunately, life can get in the way of our best-laid plans and by March we’ve settled back into our old ways. What might be needed is a totally different kind of sport to master and enjoy. This is especially true if we’re looking for an activity that is more than just exercise. That’s because sports can offer us so many benefits on top of making us fitter, including improving our mental health and widening our rang ..read more

The Black Isle is a small peninsula north of Inverness and the place I have called home for almost three years. I have explored on foot – both running and hiking – and also by bike. The gently undulating landscape with many quiet roads and forest tracks, plus superb coastal views, is ideal for cycling. I chose my gravel bike for good versatility so I could ride on tarmac and trails. Many of the quieter roads have smooth tarmac but, like so many places in the UK, the surface has deteriorated in places and this makes a gravel bike a good choice, even when road cycling. Track through Millbuie Fo ..read more

There is so much happening all around us and so many things we have to get done and tick off our to-do lists, just to get through the day that although the idea of living a meaningful life and having an impact might sound great, it can feel impossible to actually do. The good news is there are small things you can do that will make that impact and make your life have meaning, no matter how busy you might be. In fact, you might even realise just how important it is to slow down and make some changes in your own life while you’re helping to change other people’s lives for the better – read on to ..read more

I have been sent three flavours of new Energy Bytes, which are designed to give athletes an “extra zing”. They are said to be fast-acting with a “caffeine kick”, vegan-friendly and have added A, B and D vitamins. Claim: “Energy Bytes work five times faster than energy drinks.” Details: 3 flavours: Wild Strawberry, Berry Blast, Atomic Apple Small sweet-sized 15 gummies per pack Each gummy has 40mg caffeine (comparisons in the UK: 8oz cup of black coffee is 95mg; a shot of espresso is 63mg; cappuccino 63mg) Advice: Up to maximum of five Energy Bytes recommended per day Allergen free Made in t ..read more

I have written about BAM clothing before. The company has launched a new collection of what it calls “fully traceable activewear”. The products are also made from natural or recycled fabrics. Let’s talk about eco Eco and ethically friendly topics have been on my mind a lot recently. There is a fair amount of greenwashing in the outdoors clothing industry (just as there is across many industries) and deciding which products are “greener” than others is very complicated.  Many brands want to tick boxes for being more environmentally friendly. Many, we would hope, have a conscience about the ..read more