Adventures Await

WITH a distinct lack of decent snow and ice across many of Scotland’s hill areas, we’ve not had what you’d call a “classic winter”. I could count on one hand the number of times I’ve needed crampons on the mountains this winter.

I suppose the upside is that my wee pal Storm has been able to join me on just about every hill trip – the most recent, pictured above, being a snow-free round of the Corbett Beinn Each and the Munro Stuc a’ Chroin, visible in the background.

And that means we’re both mountain fit for some big adventures now that the longer days of spring are here. First up will be a few days spent in the Fannaichs, and then the Fisherfield hills. We cannae wait!

While it might not have been a classic winter, I reckon this April edition is a classic issue of The Scots Magazine.

Every page is packed with the great content everyone expects from the world’s best-selling Scottish-interest title.

Among the many highlights, you’ll find an exclusive double interview with track star Eilish Mccolgan and her mum Liz, a true athletics legend. It’s a fascinating piece, exploring not just the pressures of competing at the highest level, but also of dealing with the considerable fame that success brings.

You’ll find inspiration for the month’s best events – including Kirriemuir’s quirky Bonfest, a celebration of all things AC/DC in founder member Bon Scott’s hometown.

Outdoors, Polly Pullar urges us all to help wildlife by letting our gardens go wild and Fiona Russell interviews adventurous handcyclist Neil Russell – no relation!

But the honour of the strangest tale in this month’s magazine has to go to Kenny Macaskill – our regular contributor has unearthed the brilliantly bizarre story of Gregor Macgregor, born at Glengyle, Loch Katrine, around a century after his famous kinsman, Rob Roy.

Gregor sounds a bit of a cad, almost a real-life Harry Flashman. After his military career, he became a freedom fighter in South America, before inventing a country, pretending to be a prince and fleecing investors of a fortune. Have a read on page 118.