Graeme Dewar wrote:Oh man, definitely time for Paul to step in and take action!

As long as he doesn't post anatomical photos I reckon it's OK

No cooksets this year, perhaps Spring 2012 though. What kind of thing are you after? A set of pans? It'd be worth starting a new thread in this forum and getting some opinions.

Coincidentally I'll be looking at a selection of gloves and hats before the end of the month, one or two models I'll be including should suit your needs.

Gazdono wrote: what do you recommend for a ridge walk ?

Take a look at Beinn Alligin - there are plenty of trip reports listed to give you an idea of what to expect.

Gazdono wrote:Now planning a trip to torridon - any reccomendations ?

Torridon? Yeah, I know a few walks....

rambler wrote:
If you, and others, want that debate why don't you start a new thread that those of us who are not interested can avoid.

Agreed - this thread has run its course so I'm locking it. Please make use of the PM system if you'd like to send your best wishes to spiderwebb.

mrssanta wrote:So please can anyone explain what the red and green lights are for?

Yeah, retaining night vision. Sadly a red light tends to wash out the brown map contour lines so green is preferred by some people.

Yes - the whisky competition was quite popular too!

Paul and I use Gimp - an open source "Image Manipulation Program" available from, surprisingly, http://www.gimp.org/

There's a reason that the MWIS forecasts always list the wind strength and direction at the top of the forecast. If you're taking a group out onto the Cairngorm plateau and there is rain forecast it's not a big deal, make sure everyone has waterproofs. If it's going to be freezing cold ensure that e...

Also is it worth going for a goretex model? I figure these are probably going to get wet pretty easily anyway with the low cut so what's the point? A wise conclusion. Low-cut waterproof footwear takes an age to dry once it gets wet, whereas a mesh-based shoe will let the water out again far faster....

HI JT Aberlady Bay is a fine site indeed and a beautiful place to spend time, not far from the city as you say. think will be heading out there at the weekend :D If you've got a bit of time the walk along The John Muir Way to Aberlady Bay is to be recommended and not too hard to coordinate with pub...

Paul and Helen product testing for the first round of gear reviews.

Hostile Habitats goes into the right amount of detail for me (on a variety of subjects) and is nicely Scotland-centric.

I'm officially never wearing that hat in public again.