Martha, please come one day and see where Dad worked

A few weeks ago, in the snow and ice, we had a group stay with us at the cottage. They were climbers, led by Huw Gilbert. He runs climbing courses all over the place, but particularly from his North Wales centre. A couple of weeks after he got back to Wales his wife, Jo, gave birth to a lovely daughter, Martha. We asked him for a pic, and Gillian and I, and our daughters have been oohing and aahing ever since. Lucky Tomos has a new baby sister to look after, and occasionally annoy. And she, him.

Here is Huw's report.
4 days leading Intro to Scottish Winter Climbing course. We used the cottage as a very welcome and comfortable base. Climbed Twisting Gully (111) on Stob Coire nan Lochan, Curved Ridge (11/111) on the Buchaille, Left Twin (111 hard) at Anoch Mor and Arch Gully at Stob Coire nan Beith on Bidean all followed by day's skiing at Nevis Range. Fantastic Snow and Ice conditions.

Huw's website for his climbing school

This is our new blog about Appin. I can't get Google to list it properly, yet. But she will, in time.
Our new Appin blog site

John
Here are our website information links
20 of the loveliest walks around our cottage area
Hill walks around Glencoe
Walk up Ben Nevis one day?
Easier Munroes to walk in Glencoe
Rock and Ice climbing in the Glencoe area
Cycling and fishing near Glencoe cottage
Wonderful wild life around our cottage
Golf at the Dragons tooth golf course, Ballachulish
Cruising the lochs using Glencoe as a base
The best beaches and bays in the Glencoe area
Touring the Highlands from Glencoe as a centre,
Spring holidays, March April May Glencoe
Winter holidays, Jan Feb March in the cottage
Autumn holidays November December in the cottage

Buy your own ski slopes in Glencoe

I ski like a haggis.

In my book salopets are nice tame little animals which need no feeding or cleaning and love you for ever.

Gondolas are for lazing in, attached to Italians, punting.

Buying the Glencoe skiing slopes is as far removed from my imagination as cycling fish. It is Scotland's oldest ski resort.

But someone will do it, you can bet. The slopes were in administration last year, brought back to life and are now being offered for sale.

According to Ski forums;
"I believe they've costed a gondola system as well as other improvements and also have plans for on-site accommodation and other facilities"

"it's an awesome place ... but then do we really want the general population to know about it and crowd the slopes ... not sure"

"It has some steep runs and great scenery. "

Here is the link to the details; http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/1125170?UserKey=


Even late in the year, now, there is snow for skiing on the tops. Here is the Nevis Range ski report for to-day:

Date: 06-04-2009 at 08:32
Current weather : CURRENT WEATHER Dry & clear with good visibility. Wind/temp top station: SW 10-20mph, 4CWeather Forecast : FORECAST FOR MONDAYDry, bright morning. Rain or snow above 750m. Wind/temp at 900m: SE 15-20mph > 30-35mph, 3C < 1CSnow level : 800Vertical runs : 400Runs : Weather looks settled until mid afternoon. Fresh soft wind blown snow on summit, upper Goose and Warrens runs. Goose from tower 4 up is complete.Access/downloading on Goose chair. Dry slope for beginners & lower abilities. Back Corrie off-piste and unpatrolled; the walk out is about 25 minutesTerrain Park - features for all levels of ability.

John
ps Someone just said that you can eat haggis. That must be where I'm going wrong.

Skiing in Glencoe and Nevis Range
Our lochside cottage near Glencoe
Last minute, late availability Glencoe, self catering cottage
Spring breaks, March April May Glencoe
Weather in the mountains of Glencoe
Weather month by month in the area
Skiing in Glencoe
New website to help find holiday accommodation in the West Coast, Oban and Fort William areas
Tourist and visitor information, this is the biggest Glencoe information site, hotel and cottage accommodation
Events in Glencoe Appin Lochaber Oban and Ballachulish
Last minute, short breaks, in Scotland, owners sites direct
Find the best Scottish holiday cottages on the internet
Cut the costs of your holidays
Cheap travel in scotland
Scotlands weather misconceptions
Rain in scotland
Summer weather in Scotland
Autumn weather in Scotland
Winter weather in Scotland
Spring weather in Scotland
Facts about self catering holidays
Advice on driving in Scotland
The Demand A82 upgrade campaign site

There is one truly notable man in Glencoe - Hamish McInnes

Hamish McInnes with French mountaineer Yvon Chouinard

He is a world-renowned climber, innovator and inventor of mountaineering equipment, leading search and rescuer, author and adviser. Now Gencoe's Hamish MacInnes, 77, is honoured for his dedication to mountaineering with a new award.

Mr MacInnes, is the first to receive the Scottish Award for Excellence in Mountain Culture.

He is known for scaling the world's most dangerous peaks and his invention the MacInnes stretcher is used internationally.

Born in Dumfries and Galloway in 1930 and known as the 'Fox of Glencoe' in reference to his cunning as a mountaineer, he is recognised widely as the father of modern mountain rescue in Scotland. He designed the first all-metal ice axe, founded the Search and Rescue Dog Association and set up the Scottish Avalanche Information service.

All rock climbers know the name of Hamish Mc Innes. He has done just about everything - Himalayas, Alps, Scottish mountains, leading the Glencoe rescue teams on the hairiest rescues. He has saved literally saved hundreds of lives and developed unique equipment. His mountain books are very readable indeed. You've probably seen him on television.

We had a group of climbers in the cottage for a short weekend break in December. When I told them that Hamish could be spotted in Crafts and Things most mornings, just talking quietly and modestly with the locals here is the short glimpse they offered of him.

("Cubby" is David Cutherbertson, the local guide and rock climber. He was the body double for the fall in the famous Mountaineering film of a couple of years ago, "Into the Void" )

"Have bumped into Cubby a couple of times but never the god that is McInnes! Quite the character I understand, amazing to think he invented the modern ice axes we use today. Have heard some great stories about him, the best one being him tunnelling out of a huge cornice in the Cairnorms. Apparently, just as he broke through the ice a group of young scouts walked past. They stopped in amazement as this frosty figure appeared from out of the snow. He stood up, wiped the snow from his beard, pointed at one of the young fellows saying ‘’You Boy – what year is this!’’

That's Hamish, one of the nicest most modest men you can find.

John

ps We have just put up a new page in our website about the MacDonalds.

How did the MacDonalds become the Lords of the Isles?

Here are some other links:

Lochside cottage near Glencoe in the Highlands of Scotland

Autumn Breaks October November December Glencoe

Winter breaks January February March in Glencoe

Spring breaks, March April May Glencoe

The Vikings in Scotland, the Terror, the Battles, Vikings in Glencoe

Scotland How to find your ideal holiday property

Last minute, self catering holiday breaks scotland

Excellent Scottish holiday properties offering short breaks and special prices