Scotsman.com - Outdoors Feed

EdinburghSketcher captures Pedal on Parliament 2013

Mon, 20 May 2013 12:42:28 GMT

THIS WEEK the EdinburghSketcher and his family took part in Pedal on Parliament cycle from the Meadows to the Scottish Parliament...

100 Weeks of Scotland: Gullane|Applecross|Rob Roy

Mon, 20 May 2013 10:39:33 GMT

ACTRESS Shonagh Price is the first image from this week. Taken at Gullane beach on a perfect May morning this photo forms part of a series of images I have been working on entitled ‘Magnetic North’, a project in which I am photographing artists, actors, writers etc.

Roger Cox: ‘Socialising at Tarbert is legendary – so is the sailing’

Fri, 17 May 2013 15:20:20 GMT

AS regattas go, the Scottish Series has it all: a stunning backdrop for the racing courtesy of the dark, densely forested hillsides that surround Loch Fyne; a stretch of water blessed with consistent winds and minimal tides; and a legendary party atmosphere courtesy of the picturesque little port of Tarbert – so busy when the sailing circus comes to town that boats often have to tie up two, three and four abreast beside the pontoons.

Saddle up for the Borders Festival of the Horse

Fri, 10 May 2013 15:07:32 GMT

THEY say you have to be mad to live in the Borders. Mad on rugby and mad on horses.

Roger Cox: If your favourite sport’s not often televised, you must rely on witnesses who can create romantic myths

Fri, 10 May 2013 14:14:28 GMT

ONE of the best things I’ve read so far this year is Found At Sea, a new book of poems by Andrew Greig.

Scot becomes first deaf man to sail around world

Wed, 08 May 2013 14:58:19 GMT

A SCOTTISH teacher has became the first deaf sailor to sail around the world single-handedly.

Watching badgers requires planning and patience, but it’s worth it

Fri, 03 May 2013 17:20:23 GMT

Young badgers will be making their first forays outside their homes or setts over the next few weeks, making this one of the best periods of the year to watch these fascinating animals.

Roger Cox: The 60th anniversary of Hillary and Tenzing’s Everest ascent

Fri, 03 May 2013 17:18:27 GMT

Sex sells – and so, it seems, do round-number anniversaries. This month, to mark the 60th anniversary of Hillary and Tenzing’s historic first ascent of Everest on 29 May 1953, there will be celebrations all over the world, and so much money will change hands that you’ll be able to hear the cash registers ringing from here to Nepal.

The Scots beach huts with a 10-year waiting list

Fri, 03 May 2013 11:10:56 GMT

THEY may be smaller than the average living room, have no toilets, power or running water, but there is a 10-year waiting list for these quirky huts on a remote Scottish beach.

Surveyor to spend two months on remote Rockall

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 08:12:35 GMT

AN Edinburgh chartered surveyor is set to spend two months inside an eight foot water tank on a deserted speck in the ocean to raise money for charity.

Roger Cox: Scottish cycling gets back in the saddle

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 14:44:28 GMT

This weekend marks the start of the Scottish cycling season. Yeah, I know: technically there’s no such thing – last time I checked, bikes seemed to work just fine from September to March, and there are lots of great events going on all over the country right through the winter.

Jonathan Trew looks forward to Tradfest

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 14:44:20 GMT

As a student in the Eighties, a friend would deploy Chris De Burgh’s Lady in Red as a central plank in his hopelessly inept wooing strategy.

Walk of the week: Ben Vorlich

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 14:42:59 GMT

With the busy Loch Lomond road, railway and Inveruglas power station to the east, more electrical works to the south, Loch Sloy to the west and pylons on three sides, the hand of man has had a detrimental impact on Ben Vorlich – or at least on its lower slopes.

Professional wind surfer swaps Hawaii for Lewis

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 16:46:00 GMT

WHILE some beaches in the Outer Hebrides may rival Hawaii in the scenery stakes the two are almost incomparable when it comes to weather.

Roger Cox: Why is nobody taking advantage of freakishly good ski conditions?

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 13:43:26 GMT

Listen carefully. Can you hear that sound? A sort of half-crunch, half-squeak? That’s me grinding my teeth at the prospect of no more snowboarding this winter.