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Sunday, December 05, 2010
Early Skiing in Scotland It's not often we get enough snow in November to let you take a ski holiday in Scotland in December but that's exactly what has happened this year. With a little bit of luck we'll have another winter of bumper snowfalls which will give another boost to Scottish Skiing. If this winter is anything like last winter and with all the austerity measures people are putting in place, forget the trip to the Alps and stay at home for your break. Places to ski in Scotland: Get the latest snow & road conditions at: The amount of snow that fell in the 2010 season was astounding. Check out this wee promo video showing some of the conditions at Scottish Ski centres in 2010: Posted by Adam @
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 Friday, June 18, 2010 Sea Kayaking on Scotland's West Coast
Guest Post:
FionaOutdoors has a successful blog at www.fionaoutdoors.co.uk She is a well-published outdoors and health and fitness journalist and once held the lofty position of assistant editor of The Herald. These days she is an at-home worker, combining the care of her daughter, Little Miss Outdoors, with a freelance life as a journalist, web copywriter and professional blogger. Here she writes about her first adventure sea kayaking on Scotland’s west coast. Launching a sea kayak into the shimmering evening sea at Oban, I find my everyday thoughts ebbing away as I concentrate on the gentle, side-to-side stroke of my paddling. With time of no great importance, my pace is deliberately laid-back as I head across the narrow channel of water that separates the mainland from the small island of Kerrera. Relaxed now, I take in my wider surroundings. As if travelling into a freshly painted oil canvas, the scene is of a slowly setting sun - its brush strokes of pink spilling on to the still water - and a dramatic backdrop of the dark mountains on Mull. The suddenly I leap out of my seat and jar my paddling with a noisy splash of the oar as a sleek, dark head pops out of the sea just a few metres away. Regaining my balance I realise it is simply a playful seal. With an amazing boldness, the seal accompanies me, dipping down into the water then swimming up again in front, to the side and behind my kayak, as I complete the idyllic journey with several other kayakers to the northern side of Kerrera. New to sea kayaking, my first day on a mid-week holiday with the National Kayak School in Oban has been long and tiring, but ultimately up-lifting. It takes all my remaining energy to pull my boat on to dry land and set up a wild camp before eating a meal and crashing out under canvas for a well-earned sleep. Sea kayaking is becoming increasingly attractive to adventure seekers from all walks of life. And the sea kayak instruction and holiday sector is also seeing a greater demand. At the National Kayak School, owner Stuart Wagstaff reports that bookings more than doubled last year, and demand is now outstripping places on many of his courses. It’s not difficult to understand the growing appeal, especially in Scotland. While instruction, as well as navigation and tidal guidance, are vital for novice paddlers, the art of sea kayaking is relatively easy to master and can lead participants into a world of exploration. Scotland offers many opportunities to access stunning coastlines and remote islands, and to spot wildlife. I joined a group of eight people and enjoyed a trip that included days of kayaking with some nights of some B&B/hotel accommodation and a night of wild camping. On day one - led by an enthusiastic and informative guide, Johnny - we head to Loch Feochan, south of Oban. To start with there was more emphasis on instruction than sightseeing. We learn how to propel our crafts forwards, backwards and through a 180-degree turn. During the first hour of paddling close to the shoreline we are told how to arrest a "wobble" and how to stop. With the basics mastered we head to open waters. While Loch Feochan is sheltered from the worst of Scotland’s winds and rain, some paddling strength and energy is still required where currents become faster or where there are waves. But ultimately the paddling feels free and easy and soon we find ourselves racing along. Returning to Oban that evening we are fortunate that a period of rain stops and offers a window of opportunity for the paddle to Kerrera and the excitement of an overnight wild camp. The following day is a paddle to the historic and tranquil island of Lismore, home to only 180 people. We also potter-paddle around tiny, privately-owned Shuna, renowned for its abundant wildlife, and also paddle amid the gorgeous scenery of Loch Linnhe. As the day comes to an end, a tailwind begins to pick up and our group finds itself being propelled at a faster pace. For Johnny it’s a chance to reveal the fun of "kayak surfing". Showing us how to catch the top of a small wave, it’s not long before we’re all feeling the rush of excitement of being carried along at fantastic speeds on the crests of the waves. And so, in no time at all, we find ourselves closing in on our final landing spot on the east bank of the sea loch - and climbing out to stretch our tired and aching limbs. Seeing the satisfied grins it’s clear most of the group will be returning for another sea kayaking adventure in the future. Yet more evidence that this sublime activity is only set to grow. * The National Kayak Centre is based in Oban, Argyll. From here there are a wide range of short and longer kayak holiday/course options. Prices vary and expeditions can be arranged to suit a wide range of desires. See www.nationalkayakschool.com and www.seakayakoban.com Posted by Adam @
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Wednesday, June 09, 2010 A Munro After Work
Last night saw one of those rare occurances - a walk up a Munro after work. With constraints of travelling time and available light it's important to pick a hill you can get up and down reasonably swiftly.
Schiehallion was our chosen target because it lies just under an hour from home and the starting car park is well up the side of the hill leaving only around 840m of ascent. The total distance is 10km up and down so it really is one of the quicker Munro's to climb in Southern Scotland. At this time of year on a clear night it is possible to walk until well after 11pm but sadly we had heavy cloud and rain. The light would be failing quite a bit earlier. Leaving the car park at 6.30pm we wandered up the beautifully manicured path provided by the John Muir Trust. It was a delight compared to the old muddy scar up the side of the hill that used to exist. JMT have really done some amazing work with this path. It wasn't long though before we disappeared into the cloud, the visibility reduced to a few feet and the wind started howling. Eventually the new path disappeared and you are left to pick your way through the boulders for the remaining distance to the summit. Route finding isn't too difficult though as long as you keep in the centre of the ridge. We were aided by a compass bearing all the way up.  We reached the top at 8.40pm and weren't minded to linger long there. It really didn't feel like a warm June evening with the wind chilling us and the rain coming in sideways. The descent was a simple reversal of the ascent. As we returned to the car park shortly before 10pm the light was fading very quickly and after a quick meal of fine sausages and burgers it was completely dark. Although we didn't have a lot of leeway on available light for walking, we were equipped with torches etc just in case and comfortably finished the route without having to use them. So overall it is possible to complete a Munro after work but you really need to do it in June and be careful not to pick a route that is too long or involves too much travelling time. Labels: munro, schiehallion, walking Posted by Adam @
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Thursday, May 20, 2010 Dry Bags - 10 Ways to Use  1. Keep clothes/gear dry. It's probably the thing most people do with dry bags so it has to be included in this list. 2. Keep Toilet Paper Dry! Can't forget how nasty it is to try and wipe with soggy loo roll. Keep it in a dry bag. 3. Keep wet clothes inside to stop them soaking other gear. Ah, reverse thinking. If it keeps dry stuff dry, it'll keep wet stuff wet. Or something. 4. Use it as a water carrier - and then empty said water over your mate who has fallen asleep by the campfire. 5. Add fairy liquid and use it as a washing up bowl - You came up with the idea so your camp mates have to actually do the washing up. 6. Keep yourself afloat if you and a dry bag fall out a boat at the same time. We've got to recommend here that you wear an appropriate flotation device when out on the water. 7. Attach an air-filled, sealed dry bag to a harpoon and rope and go hunting large man-eating sharks. This might not work as well as it does in my head (creepy music from Jaws playing). 8. Fill one with water and put your goldfish in it. Only briefly mind. It's not like they're equipped with decent windows for the fish to see out or you to see in. 9. Use it as a giant bowl to re-enact the Crunchie Nut Corn Flakes Adverts. Now we're talking. Breakfast is the bedrock of a good day outdoors. 10. Cut a scary face in one, insert a lantern and use it as a fake pumpkin at halloween. Or just get a pumpkin. See all our dry bags here. Labels: dry bags Posted by Adam @
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Thursday, April 29, 2010 Bigger Tent range  We're building up our tent range just now. We've just added the Yukon family tents to our Tent page and we've got a bunch of festival/summer cheap tents coming in very soon. In addition to the selection of backpacking and lightweight tents we already stock, this should give a bit more choice for the budget-conscious camper. Why chance booking a holiday abroad this summer with all the strikes and volcanic ash blowing about. Grab a tent and get out there and enjoy the British countryside. Posted by Adam @
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Tuesday, October 20, 2009 Boot Bags Available Again
Boot bags are available again! Both black and olive DPM are available. They were out of stock for ages and they are one of our favourite products too.
So if you feel the need to keep your muddy boots off the car upholstery or the carpet at home, you're in luck. Beat sticking your precious boots in a manky old carrier bag. Well, we think so anyway. http://www.outdoorscotland.co.uk/shop/ta14_boot_bag.htm Posted by Adam @
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Postal Strike Service
Aye, it's postal strike time again and it's going to be causing delays to our orders that go by Royal Mail. We've added Courier delivery as an option in the shopping basket. If you're in a hurry to get your gear Courier is the delivery option to use. Orders posted in this way will come flying to you by DHL in 2-3 days from when they are despatched.
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Thursday, October 15, 2009 We're now on Twitter
Are you a twitter user? Please login and follow us at http://twitter.com/outdoorscotland
We'll be updating it with all site news and then some! Posted by Adam @
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Thursday, October 01, 2009 Get on Your Bike at the Hairy Coo
It's just over two weeks until this years Hairy Coo Mountain Bike Challenge at Comrie Croft near Crieff. It's running on 17th October 2009. This year's race has been altered quite a bit from last year with a new start/finish further up the hill and different rules on finishing in the Big Race. There are races for kids and inexperienced riders too and a great atmosphere. There are still plenty of places available click here for more.
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October 1st Newsletter
This is an online archive of our newsletter that was sent out today:
 In this month's newsletter: Subscriber Only Discount! Autumn Camping! Item You Can't Do Without! Subscriber Discount Week! As a Subscriber to the Outdoorscotland Newsletter you are entitled to 10% off EVERYTHING in our online shop. Just enter the code **only for email subscribers** in the promotional code box when you checkout, valid from 1st October until 8th October 2009. Have You Tried Autumn Camping? We are well and truly in the throes of Autumn now. Darker, colder nights mean that it is vital that you are more prepared than ever if you have a taste for latter year camping. It's heartening to know that so many more people are getting into camping nowadays. Now you've had a taste of camping during the Summer, why not give it a shot now that the cooler weather is here? Nothing quite compares to the crystal skies you get of an Autumn evening. Let's face it, camping isn't as popular once the mercury drops, but the upside of that is that campsites are quieter (not as many in the queue for the showers in the morning) and you're more likely to have that trail all to yourself or be the only soul on the mountain top. Here are some ideas that will make it a more pleasurable experience.  Headtorches give you light wherever you are looking and our Cybalite Sport LED headtorch is a lightweight (75g) and affordable (£17) choice.http://www.outdoorscotland.co.uk/shop/ring-cyba-lite-sport.htm  Our Echo 400 sleeping bag is our most popular product and the spec on it shows why - it has an extreme rating of down to -15ºC yet has an inconsiderable price tag of just £42. Why not take a look at our tester's review: http://www.outdoorscotland.co.uk/shop/sb112_echo_400_sleeping_bag.htm Most important is a tent that won't collapse the moment the wind picks up. A new addition to our product range that ticks this box (and many more besides) is the Coleman Avior X3 back packing tent. It is stable and yet at 2.95 kilograms is incredibly lightweight. You can read up on the Avior here: http://www.outdoorscotland.co.uk/shop/coleman-avior-x3.htmWhy not write and tell us your favourite camping spot and why, and we'll publish the best stories online. Send us a photo too! Item You Can't Do Without!  I am loving the Ring Cybalite Eco Wind-Up torch (£12.50) and have got one in my car's glove box. With 3 virtually indestructible LEDs it is bright and I never need to worry about running out of batteries again. There is also something incredibly satisfying about creating your own light. Find it here: http://www.outdoorscotland.co.uk/shop/ring-rt5124.htmSo who's up for a weekend at the shops? Nah, didn't think so! Why not shop online now and free up your weekend to have some proper fun? Labels: newsletter Posted by Adam @
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Wednesday, August 19, 2009 International Delivery
Delighted to be able to tell you that OutdoorScotland.co.uk now ships to USA, Canada, Europe, Australia and New Zealand as well as the UK of course. Please select your country in the shopping basket to see the shipping charge to your country.
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Tuesday, August 11, 2009 Now Accepting Paypal & Protx
We've recently added the ability for our customers to pay by Paypal as well as our established merchant account with Protx. It's not a big change but if you prefer paying by Paypal, then we've done it just for you! :-)
In the checkout process you will be given the option of either Paypal or Protx, both are secure, just choose the one that you prefer. Posted by Adam @
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Thursday, June 25, 2009 Coleman Lightweight Stove  This is the latest Coleman stove to come into the shop. It's the Coleman F1 Lite. It's a pretty stripped down stove and weighs just 77g excluding the gas bottle. Tricks like making the valve control key out of wire rather than a more solid material definitely shave off the weight. It folds into a tiny little pouch and to be honest is probably rather easy to loose. It fits the standard self-sealing gas cartridges that come in a variety of sizes and can be found in almost all campsite and outdoors shops. Coleman claim that it can boil a litre of water on a windless day in 3 minutes. That's rapid! Would be interested to know if anyone has one of these stoves and if they have timed it? Please leave a comment if you have. Buy the Coleman F1 Lite Here Labels: Coleman, lightweight, stoves Posted by Adam @
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Thursday, June 11, 2009 New Coleman Folding Camping Stove
We've got a bunch of new Coleman stuff on the shelves waiting to go on the website. The first is the new Coleman Fold'N Go (that's Coleman's spelling) propane double burner.
 It really looks great. Opened out it gives you a 60cm cooking surface under the two rings and it's easy to close up and throw in the boot of the car. It runs off Coleman propane cartridges which cost around £6 each but use every gram of gas until they are empty, supposedly getting more value from each cartridge. The cartridges are widely available so there should be no problem finding them. See the Coleman Folding Stove here Posted by Adam @
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Tuesday, February 03, 2009 DPM Boot Bags
We've now got boot bags in olive DPM as well as black. Perfect if you want to hide your boots so you can't find them again!
Boot bags might seem like an extravagance when you could just use a poly-bag to keep your car from getting muddy but once you use one I'm sure you wont be disappointed. The mesh top means that your boots can breathe and dry out, even before you get home and clean and dry them properly. Perfect too if you keep a pair of shoes or boots in your cupboard but don't clean them every time you go out. With one of these boot bags you'll save the bottom of your cupboard and other shoes from getting mucky. Posted by Adam @
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