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UPDATE: Hills of Hame Winter Solstice competition: We have a winner!

Posted on December 9, 2019 by Al McGowan — 2 Comments

Up UPDATE: ‘Tis the day of the winter solstice. Unusually it is the 22nd of December this year. The random number generator has done its work and the Edinburgh Forum (@edinburgh_forum on Twitter) have won the prize. To celebrate the…

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Posted in Navigation, Pentlands

Book review: Navigation: Techniques and skills for walkers

Posted on December 1, 2019 by Al McGowan — Leave a comment

Navigation: Techniques and skills for walkers. Second Edition. 2019 By Pete Hawkins. Cicerone Press 152 pp. RRP £9.95 (ISBN 9781852848910) Disclosure: This review is based upon a sample copy of the printed sent to Al McGowan, at his request, by…

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Posted in Book reviews, Books, Mountain Training, Navigation

An Old Ne’er Day Review of 2018 and looking forward to 2019

Posted on January 13, 2019 by Al McGowan — Leave a comment

The year has turned, by whichever of a selection of old European calendars you want to use, and the light begins to come back to the higher latitudes. In Scotland, today is the first day of the New Year. However,…

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Posted in Geological Walks, Mountain Training, Navigation, Scotland, Trips

Updated: Tale of a cragfast geology student from Strabeg bothy book

Posted on July 11, 2017 by Al McGowan — 1 Comment

Update: The person who ended up stuck on the slope got in touch with me to give me additional details and, in particular, point out that they had a whistle, compass-clinometer and phone on them but were unable to use…

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Posted in Geodiversity, Mountains, Navigation, Scotland

When compasses go wrong: A tale from the Angus Glens

Posted on December 20, 2016 by Al McGowan — Leave a comment

Shadow, our dog, and I headed for the hills via Jock’s Road from Glen Doll. I’m still getting Shadow used to the bigger hills and longer distances. We’d done a drive up best forgotten through roadworks and heavy traffic in…

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Posted in Mountains, Navigation, Scotland, Trips

Registration to National Navigation Scheme Completed

Posted on June 1, 2016 by Al McGowan — Leave a comment

Got my materials and registration certificate from NNAS today. Maps and compasses already in plentiful supply, so will be offering a Bronze course shortly in Edinburgh.

Posted in Navigation, Uncategorized

Completed Mountain Training Expedition Skills module

Posted on May 29, 2016 by Al McGowan — Leave a comment

Over the weekend of the 7-8th of May I underwent my training and assessment for the Mountain Training Expedition Skills module with Mary Matthews, who runs Mountains and Wildlife. Mary is based in Kincardine and uses the surrounding hill areas…

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Posted in Geodiversity, Mountain Training, Navigation, Trips
Al is a Hill and Moorland Leader and has also completed the Expedition Skills module
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