Gavin Corbett
@gavincorbett
Mountain-going, biking, kayaker with two sons and a pathetic but charming vegetable garden. Former councillor, former SpAd. Working in an outdoor access charity. Current chair of Water of Leith Conservation Trust.
There can be few better “wee” hills than Cioch na h-Oighe. It’s arguably not even a hill - more just the end of the ridge, but it’s a lovely slabby climb up and then two sets of pinnacles. I was first up here in 1980 aged 14 and many times since. I never tire of it.
My cycling times are usually evenings but today it was early morning before work and before the wind got up. Lovely it was too.
I was off @ramblersscotland.bsky.social last week but I could not but notice this sign and path (on Handa). European money for paths: gone. Farming payments for paths: suspended. Local council budgets: slashed. If we want outdoor infrastructure we need to invest in it, through a Scottish Paths Fund.
New leader in Scotland’s remotest hill? The Creag Mhor top of Ben Armine. 27 mile round trip to get here (16 of them by mountain bike). Huge expanse of Caithness and Sutherland emptiness…
It’s been wet a lot since Monday up here on the top of Scotland (especially today - Wednesday. Ugh). So time yesterday to go up from Kylesku on a boat and later over to magical Handa Island. And then into Arnaboll for a night.
Ben Stack today. The hill Robin Cook died on in 2005 (a year younger than me). It’s a lovely ridge and the mist was trying to clear….
I’m sitting on top of Sgurr an Fhidhleir which must easily rate as one of THE most stupendous dizzying spots in Scotland. I’ve spent two full days in a weekend in July on the many wonderful tops and sharp ridges of Ben Mor Coigach and I’ve seen not one other person.
Over the Granites today which was shrouded in cold mist in the morning. And then the sun!
Lovely clear light for an evening ride out to Beecraigs and back via Almondell and Glenbrook. Unusual to have a tail wind all the way out…
They are still here this week. Filling the primary school playground with all the equipment and filming in Cowan Road. Our primary school has been renamed for the occasion.
A programme called Department Queue was filming in Harrison park tonight. Trucks, tents, tonnes of equipment, loads of people. I suspect it’ll be 12 seconds of final footage
Splendid day on the big Buachaille. Up via the Creag a’ Bhancair ridge which was broken but gave some bits of good scrambling. Great views from the Stob na Broige end to Loch Etive.
I have managed to weave my way to Harburn through ferocious headwind. It’ll be hard getting to Carnwath via Woolfords but (hopefully) a joy all the way back!
A great day (if very wet) with @ramblersscotland.bsky.social colleagues and about 200 staff from Edrington on their staff fundraising “stride”. Also passed the legendary Craigallian fire which burned constantly for the outdoor community from 1920 to 1939. Thanks Edrington for the welcome!
This isn’t my photo. It’s Ross Forsyth’s. But I needed something to accompany the joy of watching 3 otters (mum and 2 cubs?) leap and swirl at Saughton Park this evening, for a good 15 minutes. A kingfisher skimming the river in a blue flash made it perfect
I’ve strayed onto bits of West Highland Way in last couple of weeks. Whether it’s Kinlochleven or Drymen, the sheer numbers of people walking the trail is astonishing, with massive economic benefit. Multiply dozens of times over and it’s why Scottish Paths Fund to invest in those assets is SO needed
To my everlasting shame I’d not heard of Inchcailloch until visiting today. What a stunning island it is, even in the drizzle, with deep oak woods rising to Scots pine and alder higher up and everywhere the sound of birdsong. Well worth a visit.
It’s my first time back at Pedal on Parliament for a few years. I was out round Beecraigs earlier today and there were hunners of cyclists out. So I thought there might be none left in Edinburgh. Not so! #pop26.
Temperature was perfect this evening for a cycle with @kenmurray.bsky.social
How strange it was today to come down to sun baked Speyside and then Edinburgh after leaving Strathcarron enveloped in 12 degree drizzle this morning and 6 previous days of rain with my brother and his wife over for a visit from their home on the Sunshine Coast of Australia 🤷♂️
40 years since I first stayed at Coire Fionnaraich bothy and 30 years since I was last here. It hasn’t changed much!
I took a wee wander down to McLeod Street about 4pm. Lots of supporters here, disappointed by the result but applauding the team as the bus arrived back from Glasgow #HHGH.
After 2 weeks of climbing tenement stairs it’s good to climb hills.
Friends of the Pentlands bat watching 🦇 at Roamers Wood near West Linton at dusk on a stunning Spring evening.
Absolutely superb day on Creag Mheaghaidh - both sides of Coire Ardair.
Beinn Laoigh today by the quite steep NE ridge: needed axe and crampons. Then on over Ben Oss and Beinn Dubhcraig.