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Monument stays tantalisingly out of reach on extensive trail network

30 October 2011
Monument stays tantalisingly out of reach on extensive trail network

Monument stays tantalisingly out of reach on extensive trail network

30 October 2011

A FEW months ago I wrote about a walk up Ben Bhraggie above Golspie and promised to return to try out the area’s mountain bike trails. So I headed…


Glimpses of glen’s lost railway

23 October 2011
Glimpses of glen’s lost railway

Glimpses of glen’s lost railway

23 October 2011

THIS little adventure reminded why it’s so good to live in this part of the Highlands; a quick drive down past Fort Augustus on a Sunday morning and I…


Tested and inspired on long distance Highland treks

09 October 2011
Tested and inspired on long distance Highland treks

Tested and inspired on long distance Highland treks

09 October 2011

Scotland’s most popular long-distance path, the West Highland Way, takes walkers from Milngavie on the outskirts of Glasgow to Fort William in Lochaber. It’s…


Gateway to India — on top of Fyrish Hill

25 September 2011
Gateway to India — on top of Fyrish Hill

Gateway to India — on top of Fyrish Hill

25 September 2011

THE rather bizarre monument on top of Fyrish Hill, a representation of the Gate of Negapatam in Madras, India, is worth the steep walk up to for the views…


New trail is tough on rider — and brakes!

11 September 2011
New trail is tough on rider — and brakes!

New trail is tough on rider — and brakes!

11 September 2011

IT'S not after every bike ride you have to replace all four brake blocks, worn down to the metal but that’s what I had to do after a day on the exciting…


Roving the remote lands of Highland prospectors

04 September 2011
Roving the remote lands of Highland prospectors

Roving the remote lands of Highland prospectors

04 September 2011

SOON forgot the 5.30am alarm call as the train sped north on a bright and sunny morning, mainly because I was eagerly anticipating this cycle around some…


Helmsdale to Lairg cycle for Active Outdoors

02 September 2011
Helmsdale to Lairg cycle for Active Outdoors

Helmsdale to Lairg cycle for Active Outdoors

02 September 2011

More pictures from John Davidson's bike ride in the far north


Following the ‘red water’ into an enchanted wood at Cawdor

28 August 2011
Following the ‘red water’ into an enchanted wood at Cawdor

Following the ‘red water’ into an enchanted wood at Cawdor

28 August 2011

SITTING immediately to the south of the village, Cawdor Wood contains a wonderful maze of tracks and trails, and it’s no accident that they’re here. This…


Tracing the canal for a taste of the Great Glen wonders

07 August 2011
Tracing the canal for a taste of the Great Glen wonders

Tracing the canal for a taste of the Great Glen wonders

07 August 2011

I’VE had cause to go to Dochgarroch on a number of occasions recently — for kayaking, running and cycling — and it reminded me what a lovely spot it is…


Mysteries on the Tomatin circuit

31 July 2011
Mysteries on the Tomatin circuit

Mysteries on the Tomatin circuit

31 July 2011

THIS captivating circuit follows two quiet routes which would once have been busier with traffic of very different kinds. It follows part of the old…


Video: Lairg to Durness cycle (test)

21 July 2011
Video: Lairg to Durness cycle (test)

Video: Lairg to Durness cycle (test)

21 July 2011

John and Meg's cycle ride to Durness in the north-west Highlands to test the video settings on different platforms.


Seeing the light after ferry ride

10 July 2011
Seeing the light after ferry ride

Seeing the light after ferry ride

10 July 2011

Tarbet Ness lighthouse, north-west of Portmahomack, is the main focus of this enticing cycle circuit but the fun starts before you’ve even got in the…


Sea kayaking with Active Outdoors

06 July 2011
Sea kayaking with Active Outdoors

Sea kayaking with Active Outdoors

06 July 2011

John Davidson takes to the Moray Firth for his first experience of sea kayaking with fellow Active Outdoors correspondent Peter Evans and instructor Donald…


Up close to ‘The Mannie’ and cowering in wait for flying bikes

03 July 2011
Up close to ‘The Mannie’ and cowering in wait for flying bikes

Up close to ‘The Mannie’ and cowering in wait for flying bikes

03 July 2011

THE towering monument to the first Duke of Sutherland overlooks Sutherland from the top of Ben Bhraggie and is unmistakable on any journey north from…


Slideshow experiment

27 June 2011
Slideshow experiment

Slideshow experiment

27 June 2011

Here are a selection of photos from my walk up Ben Bhraggie.


Skills to survive in the great outdoors

26 June 2011
Skills to survive in the great outdoors

Skills to survive in the great outdoors

26 June 2011

SPENDING the day in the beautiful bluebell-strewn woods in Glen Affric recently, I got a whole new perspective on the world around me. I’m so often…


Bushcraft firelighting video

23 June 2011
Bushcraft firelighting video

Bushcraft firelighting video

23 June 2011

See the video from Friday June 24th's Active Outdoors article on bushcraft skills. Read the full article in The Inverness Courier!


The trails where forest and sea meet

12 June 2011
The trails where forest and sea meet

The trails where forest and sea meet

12 June 2011

It’s a wonderful place to get lost." The casual conversation I had with a lady as we admired the view over Findhorn Bay bathed in sunshine really summed…


Spectacular Badenoch views await on family’s first outing

05 June 2011
Spectacular Badenoch views await on family’s first outing

Spectacular Badenoch views await on family’s first outing

05 June 2011

A BOARD at the Uath Lochans car park describes this forest as "Strathspey’s best kept secret". Judging by the number of people here on a dreich weekend,…


On a high around The Aird

15 May 2011
On a high around The Aird

On a high around The Aird

15 May 2011

THIS wonderful road ride crosses that stretch of land between the Beauly Firth and Drumnadrochit known as The Aird. I find it an enchanting place,…


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