Auld Reekie

The alarm goes off early. I hit snooze. I then thing “did I hit snooze, or did I just switch the alarm off?” So I get out of bed, so I don’t fall asleep and miss my train. The alarm goes off when I’m shaving.

The trip down is good, and I listen to 2 1/2 albums on my HTC Desire, and the battery only goes down a wee notch.

As the train nears Montrose, I recall that it was the TGO Challenge dinner last night, and text Darren (he’d have been awake anyway), and say I’ll keep an eye out. I see one chap with rucksack on the platform, as he moves, there’s a flash of a t-shirt. He gets into the same carriage, and  sits near me. I don’t recognise him, and leave him to stare at the beautiful Scottish scenery. Thinking that he’s thinking “I walked across that”, resolves me to my Summer plans of getting out to the ‘Gorms. But I’ve been there before. As the train nears the end of the line at Edinburgh, I say a few words to him. It’s JH on his way back to Taunton. We’d had chats on forums in times past. Hand shakes hand, and he’s off to wait for his train, while I wait for an old University pal.

The rest of the morning/afternoon is spent chewing the fat and buying books. I’ve a cold and he’s got things on his mind, but it’s fun to catch up again. Waterstones is raided, and I apologise to the lass at the till for leaving big gaps in their Scots poetry section:

• “Gair nan Clarsach/The Harps’ Cry”, ed by Colm O Baoill, translated by Meg Bateman [Birlinn]
• “Duanaire na Sracaire/Songbook of the Pillagers”, ed Wilson McLeod and Meg Bateman [Birlinn]
• “Chuckies fir the Cairn”, ed Rab Wilson [Luath] – purely for the title

At the nearby gallery I get Walter Benjamin’s “The work of art in the age of mechanical reproduction”, and Elisabeth Couturier’s “Talk about design”. I have a hankering for something new to get me motivated.

On the way back, I switch on GPS (for 5-10 minutes) and wifi and download app updates on 3g and reply to emails … and watch the battery life drain down to the orange warning. Switching off the power-hungry apps, I settle into 30 minutes of an audiobook on MortPlayer, and reading a PDF book. The battery life remains steady.

I do notice that the image above appears much sharper on the HTC Desire’s AMOLED screen than it does on the LG LCD monitor at home. I looked at file sizes and ruled out a quality difference, as the file on the phone and the file on the pc were identical copies. All I can think of is the difference in screen quality. Or maybe it is something else.

Còd Slighean Dùthchail na h-Alba

Campadh air an dùthaich

Tha còraichean-slighe a’ buntainn ri campadh air an dùthaich. Tha an seòrsa seo de champadh aotrom agus cha bhi ach beagan dhaoine ga dhèanamh airson dhà no trì oidhche anns an aon àite. Faodaidh tu campadh ann an dòigh seo àite sam bith far a bheil còraicheanslighe buailteach ach faodaidh tu daoine agus stiùirichean-fearainn ionadail a chuideachadh gus nach èirigh duilgheadasan gun a bhith a’ campadh ann an achadh far a bheil bàrr a’ fàs ann no cluain pàircichte le beathaichean innteagus le bhith a’ cumail astar math air falbh bho thogalaichean, rathaidean no làraichean eachdraidheil. Dèan cinnteach nach cuir thu bacadh air stailceadh fèidh no sealg chearcan-fraoich. Ma tha thu airson campadh faisg air taigh no togalach, faigh cead an t-sealbhadair roimhe. Na fàg lorgan anns na
dòighean seo leanas:

• thoir air falbh an sgudal gu lèir agad;
• cuir às do lorg do theanta agus teine fosgailte sam bith (lean an stiùireadh air lasadh theintean);
• na adhbharaich truailleadh sam bith.

Fios air a’ Chòd mus falbh thu

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I loved running some of the words through the Sabhal Mòr Ostaig translator :

• truaillidh  a. despicable, polluted
• dùthaich  nf. g. dùthcha; pl. dùthchannan, country, native country

There's a Woody Guthrie song now playing in my head. Says it all really.

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ePetition: 675 signatures.

Praise of Ben Dorain

I heard an article on Radio Scotland on Tuesday interviewing Ronald Stevenson about his "Praise of ben Dorian" piece being performed at Celtic Connections in...Glasgow on Saturday. He sounds a nice chap, I think the term is "well grounded".

More info

Celtic connections 2008

Donnchadh Bàn Mac an t-Saoir (Gaelic)

Latest HSE Warning

Beware the ...

Media link

Cunntas 06.12.07

BBC2 Alba's QnA session. I'm really enjoying these. The panel were asked about topics ranging from the Year of Highland Culture, naming a teddy bear, Trump's quest for a golf development, the knock-on effect on other developments being delayed for environmental concerns, house prices in Inverness and Oban, and finally, a great question linked to the "Highland Lives" project. The question was: who would you present to the world in a project like that?

Panelists chose:

• Morag Macleod (link), formerly of the School of Scottish Studies.
• Alexander MacDonald (1) and Dr John MacInnes (link, 2)
• Murdo Macfarlane of Lewis (The Scotsman, Wikipedia)

As to Cunntas, you can catch some of the earlier episodes here.

The Gaelic Adventure

Cameron has written a great piece entitled: "Let's preserve the Gaelic".  He was interviewed for Radio Scotland's "Out of Doors" programme (link). Frankly, I feel that preservation isn't enough, and that an audit needs to be carried out to check that placenames have their original meanings. If a place was mis-named by a surveyor, or renamed by the first climber, then should not their original names be used?  Was Sgurr Alasdair always called that? No, so why should that Gaelic name be preserved?

Position originally stated after watching "Tir is Teanga, 21.05.07" (link).

Drummond's book on "Scottish Hill & Mountain Names" is an excellent addition to the library. As Cameron writes:

The people who once lived in these remote parts were the people who gave the hills, the lochs, the glens, their names and if we were to lose those names we would be losing part of our culture.

Why not do it properly, so that the culture is preserved, the real culture. Is Sgurr Alasdair any better than "The Devil's Point"?

BBC Alba links to their Gaelic learners page. Air Splaoid's blog.

I Hate Gaelic TV

I'll say it again: I Hate Gaelic TV

Should I explain my statement, or shall I just leave it at that?

Being off work ill today, I was curled up on the sofa watching some great programmes about Scottish history, Scottish maritime news, Scottish arts, and European politics. 3 of the programmes were in Gaelic, and so were shown in their Ethnic slot, and the other programme only had half an hour to tell the history of a Scottish clan. In context, I'm focusing here on the BBC, and not STV.

The non-Gaelic programme didn't get its timeslot mucked around with, unlike the Ethnic programme slot on a Thursday - which gets ousted if something on BBC1 (usually sport) 'forces' schedulers to put the normal BBC1 shows on to BBC2.

The scheduling of BBC Gaelic TV is, therefore, unreliable.

RadioTimes.com often does not advertise the contents of Gaelic programmes, so I'll set the recorder for the slot in case there is something interesting. I've known people to miss a series on the Lordship of The Isles because they didn't know it was on.

The advertising of BBC Gaelic TV is, therefore, unreliable.

Take an excellent hiking show like Tir is Teanga, for example. Where "Mountain" was shown on mainstream tv at peak time, Tir is Teanga was an Ethnic programme, in an Ethnic slot.

Why are schedulers forced to categorise a programme firstly by the Language used instead of the Content of the programme?

I Hate Gaelic TV, but I Love watching programmes about subjects that I like, no matter what language they speak, so long as there are English subtitles available.

End the language bar now.

Gaels Predicted

On a less techy note, here's my view this overcast morning. Towards Tongue across Broad Bay to Tiumpan Head. Map link.

Last night we were down at the ferry terminal waiting for some relatives to disembark, when some of the Mòd entrants returned. My Dad said that a large cup/bowl-full of malt whisky was being passed around onboard. Nice. The Gazette lists the 10 medals won by the Lochs Choir. Well done.

Mòd Links: Official Mòd homepage, Lochaber 2007.

I can't help but note that the Stornoway Gazette now carries the results of their online polls in pride of place under their name banner on page one. Is this democracy in action? What percentage of the populace votes? Can only one person vote at a time? Do you think online polls are worth the effort?

Na Drobhairean

Caught part of an intriguing programme on TeleG, the local Gaelic Community Channel: "Na Drobhairean" (The Drovers).

Presenter Peter Macaulay will examine the ways in which the drovers enriched the songs, stories and poetry of the Highlands...Scotland's drovers enhanced the economic well being of rural communities as they plied their trade from the north and west to the markets of the lowlands. They also contributed a great deal to the culture of the country. (link)

Tir is Teanga 31.05.07

This final episode of Tir is Teanga sees Colin MacLeod in Glen Etive.

The weather forces a change of plans, and a lower level walk to the Etive Slabs on Beinn Trilleachan. Rain did allow for a great shot as the pair walk out with a rainbow arching over them.

The next climb is in the company of Danny Clelland and they successfully summit Ben Starav, although there is no view through the clouds there. Descending, the cameraman manages to obtain another cracking rainbow shot.

The final trek is up Ben Cruachan and Stob Diamh, with its dam and concealed power station. Finally, the weather goddess is kind to Colin, and he gets a series of stunning vistas.

The series ends with a great composite of shots.

Tir is Teanga 24.05.07

2nd last programme in this 3rd series sees Colin MacLeod in Moidart and Sunart.

Climbing Streap (insert Gaelic joke there), he is joined by Iain MacKenzie, and they get a fine day and grand views. Colin admits it is "not often I get to the top of a hill and the sun is still shining".

With Gillian Munro, he tackles Rois-Bheinn. Geology is discussed. Along with the language expert, Viking placenames are discussed. And Charles Edward Stuart is mentioned as he landed in the area, and left from the area, evading Government pursuers. Some names also recalled the Lordship of the Isles.

For a final walk, Colin leaves Strontian in bad weather, and avoids high lands, walking by lead mines where Strontium was discovered. Along the old coffin route and over waterlogged ground to see the outline of the hills around him.

Link to BBC Scotland online - watch-again feature should appear here shortly.

Tir is Teanga 21.05.07

The river level dropped by 6 inches as they sat outside the tent on their way to Beinn Dearg Mor in Fisherfield.

Poor visibility kept Colin Macleod off the Munros in the Fannichs, and so he headed for a low level walk along Loch a' Bhraoin. After stopping in a bothy, he discussed the corrie "Tongue of the Cheeses", and notes that the land is deserted but for ruins and place names.

The attempt on An Teallach is led by a member of the local MRT, and Colin ropes up for the Bad Step. "I'm glad it is foggy, as I'd be scared if I could see the drop". Soon after, they call it a day, "there'll be other days, and it'll still be there." A sentiment I've uttered myself.

There was a good discussion on the potential misnaming of the placenames. Perhaps it is time that the names were re-examined and re-named.

Personally, I'm against the re-naming of places by the "victors", as if climbers were marauding armies conquering peaks in the uncivilised wastelands of Ooter Teuchterdom. People left or were forced off the lands, and then the names that their fore-fathers gave to the places were also eradicated. Recant the sins of ethnic cleansing, and give back the true names to the land. Keep the nicknames if you wish, but it is about time that something was done to give the names some meaning, and get the pronunciation correct - not best guesses, as regional dialects change.

Link to BBC Scotland online - watch-again feature should appear here shortly.

Tir is Teanga 17.05.07

Colin MacLeod visits some of the Inner Hebrides.

On Arran, he climbs Goat Fell and mentions the renaming of places from the Gaelic. The geology of the island is mentioned, as is its name.

A ferry to Jura, and he is joined by a friend for a walk up the Paps. The weather gets worse. "It's a bit unpleasant!", "Shame we can't see Jura", and the headed off to try something else that Jura is famous for.

Finally, Mull, and Ben More. Joined by a geologist, they mention the various rock formations. As the weather gets worse again, Colin admits that "the fog seems to follow me". "This is the top, but we can't see a thing" and the program finishes with "might as well go home".

As ever, good discussions about the names of places, and the landscape.

Tir is Teanga 10.05.07

Episode 2 of Series 3 finds Colin MacLeod on Skye. He is joined by Ewen MacKinnon (37 years in the mountain rescue), and they get to a wet summit of Bruach na Frithe.

Ian Fraser talks about the renaming of peaks after the first (non Gael?) person to have climbed it, for example Sgurr Alasdair.

Colin tackles Bla Bheinn in low cloud and rain, his view of the rest of Skye is described as "it's over there somewhere", and he mentions that he should have brought a postcard of Skye to describe to us what he couldn't see.

Finally, with Allan Turner, they walk through the rain by Loch Coruisk (painted by Turner, and earlier in this voyage around Great Britain). Near the Hill of Strife, they pass over the Peak of the Thrashing, and down to Sligachan. Some of these names had to do with us MacLeods, and it wasn't Sligachan.

AAR Glas Bheinn Mhor

I can't really call it Ben Starav, as we didn't get to Ben Starav.

Lessons learnt:

• water - only take what is needed. If walking by a river, why fill a hydration sack that you won't empty.
• kit - if I only used spare clothes, sandals and bivvy bag a few times on the SUW, why take it on a weekend hike.
• writing down the weather forecast when listening to it on the radio is a good idea if being asked questions about it by others ... and your memory is as bad as mine. PS: an AM/FM radio is a great idea, with headphones so as not to annoy others. PPS: the 'regular' weather forecasts on the radio are woefully inadequate and detail is random. Regions of Scotland were often omitted.

Tasks before next time:

• rationalise first aid kit. This is mainly blister repair kit (by the number of days out) and 'real' first aid, i.e. plasters, tablets etc.
• sauces separate from the pasta. The pasta was filling (I used the pot cosy to keep it toasty) but the sauce just clung to the spaghetti.
• small version of the Suunto instructions so I can set the various instruments on the move.
• 'Explorer' scale maps for hills which have tricky bits. I've been using the Landranger series if a Harveys map is not available.
• small pen for writing with, rather than the 'normal' pen I have. Of course, I'll have to wrap duct tape around it too.
• when new poles arrive, I'll need to check the diameter against the 'pole fixing kit' that Hilleberg included with my Akto ("ooh, is that what that bit is?")
• I started to decant the "lotions and potions" into smaller containers, and picked up one of Boots' "stacking travel pots" for around two pounds. About 35mm diameter, 5 pots high (each about 17mm high when closed), the plastic seems quite tough, and non-drip. Although I wouldn't trust it with liquids, I'm planning on adding some of the foot creams to them. More details later.
• Bought an Exped Crush Drybag today from Nevisport. I recently discovered a cracked screen on my mp3 player. I don't want that to happen again, so a padded drybag is a nice and simple idea.

Suggestions:

• Maps should have accurate Gaelic pronunciations on them [1]. This will, of course, take into account regional pronunciation differences (eg between Skye and everywhere else).
• If running a place frequented by outdoors folk, eg bar or hostel, it would be a nice treat to pin a copy of the recent regional MWIS forecast somewhere.

Tir is Teanga 03.05.07

Another good program. Starting off series 3 with Glen Nevis, Colin MacLeod explains why some "Mhor" hills are lower than the "Beag" neighbours. It is to do with bulk rather than height.

Colin also faced his fears tackling a cable-bridge where he'd previously crossed it with some lads shaking the supports.

Good to see that they got some good weather for the days out. CMD and Ben Nevis even had some low clouds in the background, adding to the stunning views.

Language expert, Ian Fraser notes that there is no Loch Aber. Something I'd never noticed before.

Teine

Lighthiker asks: Should blogger limit themselves to two or three entries a week? Any thoughts?

My reply:

Personally, I open the Windows Live Writer after work as I'm working on the PC doing personal paperwork or projects.

I use Google Reader to keep tabs on blogs rather than my blogroll. They are (almost) identical anyway, plus a few non-outdoors blogs. As a browser, FireFox seems to hold all the tabs quite well, and I rarely need to open extra tabs. My thoughts are picking up about the up-and-coming SUW trek, and I'm starting to get nervous about it. When I get nervous, I talk more, or talk less. I find the blog helps me concentrate and focus on outdoors things, as I only (normally) write about outdoors-related matters. The fact that I don't get out for overnight trips as often as I want probably takes me into the majority of trekkers, rather than the minority.

Blogs as a media format can be used in many different ways and to do many different things. Some people create product reports, or old-media tie-ins, or keep a diary. I see my usage as a journal rather than a daily diary.

Listing what I did, or have to do, or what I found. A scrap-book, if you will. If I have nothing to say, I say nothing.

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Sad news from Norway. (BBC News)
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http://www.makezine.com/blog/archive/gps/ - I like the windchimes. But the GoogleEarth 1790 edition just looks sooooooo pretty. Yup, I'm a cartophile, and I don't care.

Most are eyecandy, but the North America 1733 map has lots of detail.

The England/Wales map of 1790 is in the style of John Speed. You know, I haven’t coughed/wheezed in 5 minutes now.

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Stuart's Munro listings, his index to some great photos. He also has an interactive map, where you can click to view photos (where available).

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The astute amongst you will have noticed the change in track titles. I've swapped albums to "B2B: Isles FM", by Isles FM to raise money so that they could improve their transmission range to cover the whole of the Western Isles, from the Butt of Lewis down to Barra. (if, like me, you don't have The Gaelic, you may find this helpful)