I personally know a great many people for whom a carpet of snowdrops is the only white carpet they want to see in January. Not me!
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Peebles Outdoor Film Festival programme announced
The Peebles Outdoor Film Festival has revealed a stellar programme for 2019, with mountain bike legend Hans Rey, outdoor swimmer and TV star Calum Maclean, plus adventurer and Paddle Against Plastic founder Cal Major among the headline names coming to the Eastgate Theatre, Peebles over the weekend of 25-27 January. Now in its fifth year, the festival offers a celebration of outdoor and mountain culture in all its forms, from inspiring speakers and award-winning adventure films to outdoor sessions led by local activity providers. Now a major annual event, more than 1,200 people attended the festival in 2018. In addition…
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Posted in Magazine
I Know Where I’m Going – but does anyone else?
Gear review: Mammut Chamuera Jacket
Recommended Price: £99Weight: 600g (men’s large) Fleece jackets seem to have fallen in popularity a little in recent years, with more walkers opting instead for mid-layers filled with synthetic insulation which offer the best warmth-to-weight ratio. There’s still a lot to be said for a good fleece though; they wash well, dry quickly, and whilst cheaper ones are prone to pilling, the best are very durable. Few fleeces, though, look quite as smart as the Mammut Chamuera. Whilst the interior is conventionally fleecy and warm, the outer face of the jacket has a woven finish which avoids any pilling. It’s…
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Gear Review: Winter Base Layers
Sprayway 1/2 Zip Roola RRP: £55 (widely available for less)Weight: 195g (men’s large) The lightweight Roola is 50% merino wool and 50% polyester, combined to give a very comfortable base layer with a moderate amount of stretch. It’s extremely soft to touch, quick to dry, wicks well and gives a reasonable amount of warmth – though it’s not as toasty as some of the other bases featured below and will require more layers in the coldest conditions. I do like having a half-zip on winter base layers to give a venting option when needed. It comes in two colours and sizes from S to…
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Enjoy the gift of NNRs this Christmas – Natural Winter Wonderlands near you
Scotland’s National Nature Reserves (NNRS) are the perfect places to clear away the cobwebs and walk-off that extra turkey, or nut roast, this Christmas say Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH). SNH welcomed more than 650,000 visitors to its NNRs last year and 10 of the most popular are highlighted below. With an extra few days off work for many of us, the festive season is a great time to get out and explore your local NNR, and although it might be a little colder it is often the most attractive time of year. Whether you want to look for wildlife, meet…
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Call for progress on protected status for Scotland’s beavers
A number of leading Scottish wildlife charities and individuals with an interest in conservation have signed an open letter to the First Minister, published in The Guardian today calling for a firm date to be set on granting European Protected Species status to beavers in Scotland. This letter comes one year after the announcement that legislation to secure European Protected Species status for beavers would be laid down in the Scottish Parliament in the first half of 2018. Susan Davies, Director of Conservation, Scottish Wildlife Trust said: “In November 2016, through the leadership of the Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham, the Scottish Government…
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Gear Review: Mammut Alnasca Knit Low GTX shoe
RRP: £149Weight: 330g (Women’s size 5.5) The first thing you notice about this approach shoe is the snug fit. The inner is made from an almost seamless 3D-knitted stretchy “sock” – luckily there are pull ties to help ease them on. I’ve been testing them both on easier day walks and tougher hill-walks for the last few months. So far the sock design seems to prevent any rubbing where the toe flexes – something that often causes a problem with walking shoes. Initially I felt the fit was on the narrow side but, having adjusted the low-profile laces to their maximum and…
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Daily avalanche forecasts to begin for winter season
