Monthly Archives: July 2011

Ten months, two days …

Posted on July 31, 2011 by Shaun

Ten months, two days. Four words which dripped from John Bryden’s lips with dignity and sadness as beneath his outlandish Highlander outfit, shaggy beard and practiced smile his heart broke all over again. His eyes beamed with pride, an immense … Continue reading →

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Ben Nevis – The Fools on The Hill?

Posted on July 31, 2011 by Iain

If I ever get to the top of Ben Nevis again it will be a different kettle of fish than the walk in the sun we had yesterday. Because days like yesterday don’t come along too often in Scotland. Sitting … Continue reading →

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Ben Nevis in the sun but a reminder why its called Mountain of malicious

Posted on July 30, 2011 by Shaun

It’s 4am and I’m up at the crack of dawn like a schoolboy waiting for Christmas Day to be ushered in from the night. Because today’s the day Two Fat Laddies attempt Ben Nevis. At 4409ft (1344m) we’re told to … Continue reading →

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Meall nan Tarmachan proves a real draw for Two Fat Laddies

Posted on July 29, 2011 by Shaun

Someone said to me recently that they didn’t quite get the point of going up a mountain just to come all the way back down again. They asked why I’d want to put myself through it. I struggled at the … Continue reading →

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Hebridean Celtic Festival – probably the best music festival in the world

Posted on July 29, 2011 by Shaun

My formative years in Edinburgh’s pubs centered mainly around a trio of pubs. The Candlemakers Arms, The Ensign Ewart and The Royal Oak. Others featured too, of course, like the Tron Ceildih House, The Scotman Lounge, Maggie Dickson’s. But these … Continue reading →

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The Smile Isle

Posted on July 29, 2011 by Shaun

While my trip to the Outer Hebrides with Iain may have been decided upon within a matter of few months, in truth, it’s been 20 odd years in the planning. A Gaelic speaking, whisky supping girl from the flushes of … Continue reading →

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Carlsberg don’t do Sundays

Posted on July 28, 2011 by Iain

As we came down from Tarmachan Ridge on Sunday a mate texted me the score from the first game of the SPL season. My team had won at a canter. The sun had been shining all day, Shaun and I … Continue reading →

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Lost Posts

Posted on July 26, 2011 by Iain

If there are any regular readers to this site you may notice there are 4-5 missing posts right at the top here – a couple from Shaun on his memories of Lewis and a prelude to Climbing Meall nan Tarmachan; … Continue reading →

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The Restaurant at the End of the Road

Posted on July 21, 2011 by Iain

Lots of things on the island of Lewis have changed since I left a long while ago. For one thing the fashion for local lads – most wearing the uniform of jeans, cream bobban socks and Adidas Sambas – to … Continue reading →

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Four Men in a Boat

Posted on July 21, 2011 by Iain

Office. Lo Cal Soup in a cup. Computer screen in front of me. Motorway to contend with later on. And I’m sitting here looking at the document I should be completing, and I’m thinking about a lucky guy called Lewis … Continue reading →

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