Innholdsfortegnelse for October 2020 i Trail

The word ‘expert’ is very overused. When it comes to mountains, I’m certainly not one. I could tell you where a lot of them are, what it’s like to walk up and gaze off the top of them, and how happy/knackered/inspired you’ll feel afterwards, but that’s your lot. When it comes to proper mountain experts, I’m talking about qualified professionals whose job it is to take your experiences to the next level, whether that’s by showing you hidden local secrets, guiding you on your first scramble or teaching you how to navigate properly. Ever wanted to know how to explore off- path, pack the right kit, react in an emergency, plan your first family adventure, take epic mountain photos, or simply know how to identify symbols on your map? Then…

VIEW WITH A ROOM DUCHRAY CASTLE LOCH LOMOND NATIONAL PARK Deep in the Queen Elizabeth Forest Park, nestled between Ben Lomond and Ben Venue, is a castle straight from the pages of a fairy tale. Best of all, it can actually be yours for a week or two. Not only will you have your own mini loch, spiral staircase, turrets and vaulted dining room, but the hillwalking opportunities are endless. Wildlife here is abundant and heating is provided by a renewable bio-mass heating system. We’ve done a few calculations, and sleeping a group of eight in the four bedrooms works out at £64 per person per night. Need a smaller option? The separate West Wing sleeps four but still gives you access to these, frankly, amazing surroundings… duchraycastle.com Pub of…

YOUR EXPERT Ben Weeks Qualified Mountain Leader and Trail’ssenior writer. There are a couple of things you shouldknow about the Trail team. The firstis this: we all get on. So, when it wassuggested that we should all head tothe Lake District for a leg-stretching,head-clearing fell walk followed by abrainstorming session in a Lakeland pub,there were no complaints. The second thing to know is this: not every member of the Trailteam is what you would call a mountain aficionado.Sure, editor Oli, deputy editor Jenna and I are allenthusiastic peak buffs, and photographer Tom hasmore hill experience than the three of us put together.Even design supremo Louise is what you’d call a peakenthusiast – a useful thing when your job is to selectand work with phenomenal mountain photography. Butonce you move away…

YOUR EXPERT Tom Bailey Our resident photographer has probably shot every mountain in Britain. Do you have an inquisitive, restless mind? Do you wonder what’s around the next corner, or in the valley below you? If the answer’s yes, then you need to learn the art of really ‘being’ in the mountains. You need to go off-path. This is one of the most rewarding experiences to be had in the hills. Even among the more popular peaks, there’s always an opportunity to go where ‘the many’ don’t. Follow me into the hills (because there isn’t a path) and I’ll explain as we go. There are large areas of Wales where comparatively few walkers go. These are great places to learn the ways of not following ‘the way’. One mountain in…

I awoke to a pair of enormous wide brown eyes. “Morning Daddy! Can we get up now?” It was still early, still dark outside the steamed-up windows. But Amelia-Faie brimmed with excitement. “Yes, we can get up.” An early start wasn’t such a bad idea. Today, we’d be climbing Snowdon, and while Amelia-Faie had already climbed fells in Lakeland and Beacons in Brecon, this would be her biggest mountain yet, and her little legs would likely take longer than the 6 hours usually quoted for the round trip from Pen-y-Pass. The air was still bitterly cold as we left our car, but light had begun to spread across the sky, and our headtorches could be packed away from the start. We set off along the Pyg Track at a slow…

WEIGHT One litre of hot water weighs one kilogram, so it’s preferable if the container doesn’t add too much weight to that. VOLUME Do you just want something to carry a takeaway tea in? Or might you want several cuppas during the day? And is it just you, or do you intend to be the tea-maker for a team? Such decisions will determine how much liquid you’ll carry and how big a flask you need. DRINKING METHOD Traditional flasks have a lid which can be used as a mug to drink from – great if you want to add milk or sugar per serving, rather than to the whole mix. Lighter-weight bottles just have a lid which you can drink directly from, but this is less ideal for sharing with…

DIFFICULTY EASY DISTANCE 13KM TIME 4 HOURS TOTAL ASCENT 350M Western Dartmoor is studded with a dramatic line of weather beaten granite tors. This rewarding trail includes two of the best: Brat Tor, crowned with Widgery Cross, erected in 1887 to mark Victoria’s Golden Jubilee and Great Links Tor – at 586m almost a mountain. En route is a pretty gorge cut by the River Lyd and many poignant industrial remains from tinning and peat cutting. Deep trenches around Doetor Brook between points 2 and 3 witness the labours of generations of Dartmoor tinners, as do the extensive spoil heaps along the east bank of the Lyd, where tin was streamed. Aptly named Bleak House near point 4 was the home of the manager of Rattlebrook Peat Works, where a…

DIFFICULTY HARD DISTANCE 7.5KM TIME 6 HOURS TOTAL ASCENT 980M SCRAMBLE GRADE 1 PEAK BAGGER STATS WELSH 3000s 2 TRAIL 100s 2 If you are looking for quality, and not necessarily quantity, look no further. The magnificent, rocky architecture of the Glyderau’s northern aspects and summits packs much adventure, reward and beauty into some shorter, as well as longer, days out. Here we have a well-loved circuit and two notable summits, brought together by a classic and accessible ridge ascent, with Y Gribin (‘The Ridge’ / ‘Little Ridge’) with its beautifully tactile rocky boulders and sharp angles, delightfully perching you on to the Glyderau plateau between Glyder Fawr and Glyder Fach. The view of Tryfan, and more, from the descent of Glyder Fach is breathtaking, with so many fascinating angles of rock…

ULTIMATE WEEKEND ▲ 3 ROUTES Come, take a walking tour of Snowdon and get to know the area a little better. Bring your camera, a tent and a treat for when the sun goes down. I won’t lie, there’s mileage but there’s no rush. Take your time – enjoy the views. Starting at YHA Llanberis, you’ll traverse the undulating peaks of Moel Eilio, Foel Gron, Foel Goch & Moel Cynghorion then Yr Wyddfa and Y Lliwedd before setting up camp on Gallt y Wenallt. Day 2 features a meandering descent to Beddgelert, then up and over Moel Hebog before resting at YHA Snowdon Ranger, with a few stops along the way. Day 3 is an easygoing return trip to Llanberis. A tough but rewarding adventure. ROUTE 7 Llanberis to Gallt…

DIFFICULTY HARD DISTANCE 28.5KM TIME 11 HOURS TOTAL ASCENT 1850M PEAK BAGGER STATS WAINWRIGHTs 7 TRAIL 100s 2 1 NY174169 This is the day when you bag three of the seven peaks. It’s a tremendous high-level crossing through the heart of the fells. From the bridge in Buttermere village, head up-valley (towards the youth hostel) for 50m, then fork right in a track signed Syke Farm (café). Through the farm, take a path on the right. This soon leads along the north side of Buttermere – it’s a gentle lakeside start to a gruelling day over England’s highest hill. At the lake head keep ahead past Gatesgarth. 2 NY195149 The energetic could take the fine line up Fleetwith Edge to Grey Knotts on their way to Great Gable. Otherwise, turn…

After hours on the main roads, the network of country lanes that lead to the car park at map point 1 (SO025249) comes as a welcome shock. It’s lush countryside, with fields full of sheep and cows. But it’s not the livestock we’re here for, it’s the fine series of sandstone mountains you’ll have seen as you left the A40. (If you want a great view of Pen y Fan go to Mynydd Illtud, just west-south-west of Brecon. It’s a great vantage point, and a quiet spot to park the car. Once you’ve sated your appetite with inspiring views, a day in the ‘Beacons’ awaits. Pack plenty of liquid, this is a dry walk. A series of lanes, tracks and paths lead past map point 2 (SO039244), before crossing Nant…

DARTMOOR YES TOR When is a mountain a mountain? Or not a mountain, for that matter? Well, despite scraping over the oft quoted mountain threshold of 600m above sea-level, 619m Yes Tor doesn’t feel like much of a mountain. It isn’t really, although it feels significantly more ‘peaky’ than Dartmoor’s highestpoint, the 2m higher High Willhays. What it is, though, is remote, wild, and a cracking adventure – just some of the reasons Yes Tor makes it onto the Trail 100 list while itshigher neighbour doesn’t. The landscape here is ancient; heavy with history, both natural and human, and laden with myth and legend. Yes Tor’s summit is the site oftwo Bronze Age burial cairns, and while the definite etymology of its name is disputed, one theory is that its…

THIS MONTH’S WINNER Saddleworth Moor Peak District “This was taken on The Trinnacle on Saddleworth Moor. I’m always challenging myself to find new places for handstand. practice!” Sarah Keery, Norwich Striding Edge Lake District “Thought I’d send a picture in from my trip to the Lake District last weekend. It was my first time going up Helvellyn via Striding Edge and Swirral Edge, and was one of my best climbs to date. Also my first ridge. Now looking forwards to taking on Tryfan in a couple of weeks. Emily Richardson Scafell Pike Lake District “This is from last October when Sarah and I went up Scafell Pike. We went via Mickledore, which was Sarah’s first scramble, and she loved it. We couldn’t see very far and it rained all day.…

■ BUACHAILLE ETIVE MOR The classic of classics, and surely the most photographed mountain in Scotland. Some fine ridge walking to be had. Accessible from the A82 in Glen Coe. ■ BEN ARTHUR (THE COBBLER) Conveniently located, accessible and not too big a day. The summit is iconic and you’ll remember it for years! If you’re brave and the weather is good, maybe ‘thread the needle’ to the true summit ■ BINNEIN MOR An exciting and popular day of ridge walking with some of the best views in Scotland, easily accessible from Kinlochleven. ■ SUILVEN Now you’re getting a flavour for remote Scotland… This beauty of a lump is located in just about as wild and remote a location as it comes for most people. It’s a big trip just…

YOUR EXPERT Sarah Ryan Experienced outdoor writer and qualified Mountain Leader. SHELTER HOW TO PITCH A TARP BETWEEN TREES ■ Find two trees with a flat area of ground between them. ■ Tie one end of the cord around a tree and tie it off with a quick-release knot. ■ Suspend tarp over the cord using the loops and secure tarp in place with knots or clips. ■ Pull the cord taut and wrap it around the second tree several times to tension it, then knot it. ■ Stake the four corners or guy lines to the ground. AS A ONE-MAN TENT ■ Lie the tarp flat on the ground and stake the middle loop. This will be the back. ■ Stand a walking pole upside down at the front,…

The most popular hillwalking areas in Britain are mountainous and hilly regions such as the Lake District, Snowdonia, the Peak District, the Yorkshire Dales, the Brecon Beacons and the Scottish Highlands. But that doesn’t mean hillwalking is solely restricted to those areas. If you live in a big city, a long way frommountains or national parks, start out in your local hills. Areas such as Dartmoor, the Southern Uplands, the Chilterns, the Cotswolds, the Shropshire hills, the Malvern Hills and the Yorkshire Wolds have plenty of ascent and descent and are great places for beginners. But at Trail we’re addicted to mountains, so over the next few pages, we’ll take a closer look at Britain’s classic hillwalking areas… 1 LAKE DISTRICT ENGLAND The mountainous heart of England is also the…

1 HOUND TOR DARTMOOR Perfect for family holidays, Devon has beaches for rockpooling and sandcastling, grassy hills to roll down, ancient woodlands for tree climbing and rocks for scrambling. The wilds of Dartmoor feel like another world compared with the coast, and the weather is more changeable too. Hound Tor is a great choice for ease of access – there’s a car park right at the bottom – and, for older children, a number of easy scrambles to the top of the tor for panoramic views across the moors. Carry on down through the rocks and the other side to explore the ruined medieval village of Hundatora. HEIGHT 414m 2 GOLDEN CAP DORSET Rising from the coastline that edges the grassy hills and pretty woodlands of the National Trust’s Golden…

■ GRID LINES These faint blue lines divide the map into 1 km squares. Each line has a 2-digit number which you can use to form a 4-figure grid reference, key to knowing where you are. Always remember: “Along the corridor to get the first number, then up the stairs for the second”. If you are unsure you can use the free OS Locate app (iOS and Android) to find out where you are. ■ OTHER PUBLIC ACCESS Green dots and diamonds mark other routes and National Trails, traffic-free cycle routes are marked with orange dots. ■ HOSTEL Dotted throughout the British hills and often owned and maintained by the YHA. Marked by red triangles. ■ BUNKHOUSE/CAMPING BARN Basic but cheap accommodation with a roof over your head. ■ CAMPSITE…

The Nano Puff has had something of a cult following since its inception over 10 years ago. Actually, ‘cult’ probably does it a disservice. From hikers, to climbers, and general outdoors types, Patagonia’s iconic insulated mid layer has had widespread appeal, and plenty of Nano Puff owners have sworn they’ll never wear anything else. With such a beloved product on its hands, it would be easy for Patagonia to sit on its laurels and leave the Nano Puff untouched. After all, why fix what ain’t broke? But that’s not Patagonia’s way. In 2016 Patagonia increased the recycled content. In 2018 it reduced material waste through patterning improvements. Now in 2020 it is reducing carbon emissions as it transitions the Nano Puff into using PrimaLoft Gold Insulation Eco with P.U.R.E. (Produced…

KEY FEATURES POCKETS Zipped pockets keep items safe. Large pockets that will fit a map are very practical, but make sure they are sensibly placed so as not to affect leg movement. VENTILATION Thigh or lower-leg vents can help to dump heat and can also be unzipped for better temperature regulation if you’re forced to don overtrousers. STRETCH Adding elastane (also called spandex or Lycra) to a fabric provides stretch, giving better freedom of movement. Two-way stretch fabrics stretch either vertically or horizontally. Four-way stretch fabrics stretch in both directions, crosswise and lengthwise. LACE HOOKS Some trousers have an integrated lace or boot hook at the ankle cuff to help stop debris getting into your boots. ANKLE CUFFS Adjustable cuffs with a press stud, tab or strap closure and/or ankle…

DIFFICULTY MEDIUM DISTANCE 11KM TIME 5 HOURS TOTAL ASCENT 879M PEAK BAGGER STATS MUNROS 2 TRAIL 100s 1 Sitting high above Loch Tay in Highland Perthshire, the big, craggy mountain of Ben Lawers climbs to a height of 1214m, and is the 10th highest peak in Britain. Its neighbour, Beinn Ghlas, climbs above 1100m and a walk across both mountains is one of the finest in Central Scotland. Both peaks sit within the Ben Lawers National Nature Reserve, which has nine mountains over 3000ft in height. Botanists discovered several species of arctic and alpine flora here during the 18th century, including alpine saxifrage, alpine mouse-ear and moss campion. Many of the plants are rare and endangered, found nowhere else in Britain, including Highland saxifrage. Mountain ringlet butterfly, black grouse, ptarmigan, red deer…

DIFFICULTY MEDIUM DISTANCE 16.89KM TIME 5 HOURS TOTAL ASCENT 872M PEAK BAGGER STATS WAINWRIGHTS 4 The Northern Fells are the Lake District’s last great wilderness and the one place where you can often escape the Lakeland crowds. Leaving aside Skiddaw and Blencathra, the majority of the fells that Wainwright includes in his geographical classification of the region are quiet, and you will often see only a few other walkers all day. Writing of the Northern Fells in 1961, Wainwright said: “For the walker who prefers solitude… they offer undisturbed enjoyment at all seasons of the year. They are the perfect Bank Holiday refuge.” Even today, little has changed. These tops are remote and often far from civilisation, and this walk takes you deep into the heart of this satisfying wild…

DIFFICULTY HARD DISTANCE 15KM TIME 8 HOURS TOTAL ASCENT 1650M PEAK BAGGER STATS WELSH 3000s 1 TRAIL 100s 2 1 SH573597 From the hostel gate, turn left and head uphill for about 800m, past the campsite entrance, more farm buildings and a house. At the gate on the corner, turn right and leave the road in favour of the track. After about 200m, turn left, leaving the track, heading southwest up Braich y Foel to the summit of Moel Eilio. 2 SH555577 From the summit of Moel Eilio, head south-east downhill. The routefinding here is pretty straightforward, so you can relax and enjoy the views. The section between Moel Eilio and Foel Goch has some gentle ups and downs. From Foel Goch, descend to Bwlch Maesgwm and then head east-north-east…

ULTIMATE WEEKEND ▲ 3 ROUTES The highest points of each of the seven Wainwright guidebooks. Six of them make up Lakeland’s finest mountains. The seventh one, High Raise, sounds big even if it isn’t. Getting round them all in a three-day long weekend is just about possible with long days before the autumn equinox and legs that are up to days of almost 30km, and each of them with a total uphill count around 2000m. Youth hostels at Buttermere and Grasmere break the journey. Keswick YHA and the Brotherswater bunkhouse are at start and end, allowing the necessary linking back by bus. And what could be more inspiring than a day that goes from Great Gable all the way to Grasmere? Sounds a bit much? Well, one man, Colin Saunders,…

I’ve always wanted to test myself at the highest level. At 15 years old I was training as a Gurkha and I would get up at 2am and go running for 30km, making sure I was back before 5am so no one noticed. Gurkha training was really tough, but the British Special Forces selection was a different league. We spent a lot of time in the Brecon Beacons in sideways rain, and in mist that meant nav had to be spot on. The British mountains are great for training, and even on these smaller hills you have to be bob-on or you could die. Hooked by mountains Over the years I started to wonder what was humanly possible. In December 2012 at the age of 29 I went to Everest…

The pressures of COVID-related lockdown have placed a huge strain on the mental health of millions of people, but outdoor exercise is one of the few things we’ve all been able to do regularly. Trail looks at some of the many reasons walking is a fantastic way to manage your mental wellbeing. 65% of people have spent time outside to cope with the pressures of lockdown 56% have been exercising regularly for the same reason 94% of people who take part in outdoor activities say it benefits their mental health *Statistics provided by Mind, the mental health charity Stephen Buckley, Head of Information at Mind “Spending time in nature, particularly exercising, can be great for your mental and physical health. Activities like walking or hiking have many positive effects. These include…

YOUR EXPERT Jamie Rooke Lives and works in the mountains, teaching mountain skills. ukmountaindays.co.uk So… you’ve found your feet in the mountains of England and Wales and now you’re feeling ready for a bigger challenge. You’re looking northward to Scotland – the scary big brother of Snowdonia and the Lakes. Walking there for the first time is a rite of passage for hillwalkers. It’s like a new world. Standing on top of a Scottish Munro for the first time, golden eagles soaring above with nothing but peaks in every direction. It is, well, I hate the word, but it’s epic. It really is. There’s just no other word for it. Add to that remoteness swarms of midgies intent on devouring you, wild stags, raging rivers and mountain days with over…

YOUR EXPERT John Hudson With over 20 years studying survival, John is a survival, evasion, resistance and extraction chief instructor for the military and the author of How to Survive with a new ‘How to Survive a Pandemic’ chapter. The mountains can be dangerous. So if you find yourself in a potentially life-threatening situation in the hills, it’s good to know that you can influence your chances of survival. Or even better, prevent yourself ending up in that situation to begin with. “Every story of survival that doesn’t rely on blind luck can be distilled down to three simple things,” says John. “The survival triangle: Goals. Effort. Hope. In every struggle those three things keep people going, whether on a mountain, in life, or in a capture and evasion situation…

Know where I got the idea for this? You won’t guess…” This was accompanied by a grin and the kind of ‘go on, guess anyway’ look common in children and the particularly excitable. Graham Thompson (who, for the record, falls resolutely into the latter category) had just announced his intention to bivvy on top of famous Lakeland monolith Pillar Rock. And, judging by his face, the reason probably wasn’t going to be obvious. The obvious reasons would include these: Pillar Rock was the site of the first recorded rock-climbing ascent in 1826 – an event whose significance can’t really be understated given that the entire world now climbs for fun; William Wordsworth immortalised this ‘one particular rock / That rises like a column from the vale’ in his poem The…

■ GORGE/RAVINE/GHYLL/GILL Narrow, deep opening in a mountainside with a stream or river running through it. ■ CWM/COMBE/CIRQUE (Wales) CORRIE/CHOIRE/COIRE (Scotland) An enclosure of mountains around a valley head. ■ EXPOSURE A sense of being up high above a big and often steep drop. ■ PLATEAU A largely flat, elevated area, commonly found near mountain summits. Often featureless and tricky to navigate. ■ ARÊTE Narrow ridge of rock, ice or snow. ■ WAINWRIGHTS The 214 Lake District hills described in the seven guidebooks making up Alfred Wainwright’s Pictorial Guides to the Lakeland Fells. This one is Helvellyn. ■ FELL An English term, commonly used in the Lake District, meaning hill or mountain. ■ SCREE Loose, broken rock which can be hazardous to walkers. ■ TARN (England) LOCHAN (Scotland) LLYN (Wales) Body of…

Some items of outdoor gear have clarity of purpose. They are self-assured and self-confident, with an unwavering belief in their mission. ‘I’m a hard shell jacket and my sole job is to keep my owner dry in the rain – it’s what I was born to do.’ They are like that poised, ambitious kid at school that knows – without a moment of hesitation – their purpose in life is to become a doctor or soldier or police officer. But other items of kit are timid, self-doubting and vague about their raison d’être. ‘I’m a soft shell jacket and, erm, I’m kinda like a fleece, but not really, and my job is to sort of be a bit warm and a bit weatherproof. Anyway, can we stop talking about me?…

DIFFICULTY HARD DISTANCE 19.5KM TIME 7-8 HOURS TOTAL ASCENT 1445M SCRAMBLING GRADE 1 PEAK BAGGER STATS MUNROS 1 TRAIL 100s 1 The North Face of Ben Nevis is easily identifiable with its towering cliffs and sweeping ridges, but surely this is out of reach for us walkers? No? Interlaced between the vast amount of climbing routes there are other opportunities to get stuck into this beast of a mountain and weave your way up through the gullies and ridges carved into the rock. Away from the crowds of the main paths, this route opens up a new perspective of The Ben as you clamber between the various ledges interlinked throughout the route. With steep ascents and panoramic views, it doesn’t get much better than this for a big day out.…

DIFFICULTY MEDIUM DISTANCE 12KM TIME 6 HOURS TOTAL ASCENT 800M Pen Llithrig y Wrach. It’s a mouthful for the English-speaking tongue, myself included, but I think it’s the best named mountain I know. This was the mountain that sparked my curiosity for the Welsh language and pondering the names of the Snowdonian peaks. Translated into English, it means the Slippery Peak of the Witch! The other peak on today’s journey is now known as Pen yr Helgi Du – The Peak of the Black Hound. In ancient mythology, the only thing thought able to kill a witch was… a black hound. We’ll pass over a ridge called Bwlch Eryl Farchog and another called Bwlch y Tri Marchog – the Pass of the Three Knights. The mountains of Snowdonia come alive…

DIFFICULTY HARD DISTANCE 26KM TIME 12 HOURS TOTAL ASCENT 150M PEAK BAGGER STATS TRAIL 100s 2 1 SH632535 From Gallt y Wenallt, head back over Y Lliwedd to Bwlch Ciliau and head down the Watkin Path. It is a solid path all the way, with little route-finding difficulties and water available from the Afon Cwm Llan. Filter/boil it. Follow the path all the way to the end, where the public toilets should be open at Pont Bethania car park. Maybe call in to Caffi Gwynant for a cheeky breakfast… 2 SH626504 From Caffi Gwynant, walk south for about 200m, taking the road on your left. At the sharp bend 200m further on, turn right. Pass the NT farm, Llyndy Isaf then LLyn Dinas. At the end of the lake, head…

DIFFICULTY HARD DISTANCE 28KM TIME 11 HOURS TOTAL ASCENT 1700M PEAK BAGGER STATS WAINWRIGHTs 5 TRAIL 100s 2 1 NY266234 An early start is essential! But pace yourself carefully, especially on the ascent of Skiddaw, as there are two more tough days after this one. From Keswick’s Moot Hall, head north through an arched tunnel to right of the road and across Bell Close car park into Otley Road. A tarred path on the left leads to a bridge over River Greta into Fitz Park. Bear left, to the park’s furthest corner. The road on the right leads between piers of a former railway bridge, bending right to the start of a gravel track signed for Skiddaw. 2 NY267241 The track crosses high above the A66, then bends left to…

DIFFICULTY HARE DISTANCE 30KM TIME 11½ HOURS TOTAL ASCENT 1850M PEAK BAGGER STATS WAINWRIGHTS 6 TRAIL 100s 2 1 NY336076 Head north out of Grasmere, and follow the A591 for 1km. With a lane on the left, take a track on the right, up left of Tonguegill Force. At the top of the gorge, turn right over a bridge for w¡de path following Tongue Gill up to Grisedale Hause (pass). 2 NY348116 Turn left, contouring above Grisedale Tarn (a spring ¡s a reliable water source). Cross a saddle and head up the slope of Dollywaggon Pike. Just below its top you meet the wide path leading left to Helvellyn; a small extra effort, though, lets you divert over the two fine summits of Dollywaggon and Nethermost Pikes. 3 NY341151 The…

Eagle spotting ISLE OF MULL WALKED BY Oli Reed, Trail editor I travelled to Scotland’s Isle of Mull a few years ago, specifically in search of Britain’s largest bird of prey – the white-tailed eagle (see page 12). Hunted to extinction on our islands in the early 1900s, ‘sea eagles’ were successfully reintroduced on Mull in the 1970s where they’re now flourishing so much that tourists who know where to look are almost guaranteed to spot one. With their 2-metre-plus wingspans they’re tough to miss, but just to make sure we booked a local walking guide on the day we climbed Ben More, the island’s sole Munro. Tony Mclean is a Mountain Leader and photographer who runs Walk Mull and Photo Mull, and spends his days showing people the many…