Hello, I've finally stopped lurking and decided to register. I've always had an interest in the outdoors, but only began heading into the hills properly around 7 years ago. We are a family of four - we have two girls aged 8 and 11.
My kids are often reluctant, but they are beginning to enjoy the sense of achievement that comes from completing a hill (the incentive of a full fat coke or a McDonalds always helps too
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The first hill we climbed as a family was the Callander Crags when the girls were 1 and 4. The elder of the two did Conic and Arthur's Seat with her dad the following year, and for a while after that we stuck to rambling, forest walks, short hikes etc.
When the little one was around 4 we invested in walking boots and took in the Grey Mare's Tail which they bounded up and down - there was plenty to interest them and of course the pretty loch at the top.
In the winter of that year we took them up Tinto, which was their first wet and snottery walk
My little one started spending more hours in the gym after this (she's on an elite gymnastics pathway) so we couldn't get out as a family as often. Sunday is her only day 'off' and we felt it wasn't particularly fair to be pushing her on her rest day.
As she's got older though, her energy has also increased, and we found ourselves at the top of Ben Lomond on a bright but snowy November two years ago.
Again we had a short hiatus - big one enjoyed a few leg stretchers with her Dad, but the call of the hills is too much for me and after years of seeing Meikle Bin from my house and attempting to identify it, we headed up a few weeks ago which has massively whetted my appetite again. I am desperate to walk Schiehallion but the boulder field gives my husband the fear. Also my wee one has competitions and camps and I always have the fear of a fall at the back of my mind.
So this weekend we are going to 'pop' up Ben A'an. My husband is a photographer and is a sucker for a good view. I'd rather amble up a munro but I've heard this is a pretty hill and not too long a walk for the kids.
I'm glad to be part of this site now - please brace yourselves for lots of questions - the first one I have is what is the nearest pub/hotel for the all important post walk full fat coke?
