AirBnB for outdoor equipment could be the future for adventure sports

A former soldier has created an AirBnB for outdoor equipment and said it could revolutionise the adventure sports industry. The brainchild of Bruce Leishman, and his childhood best friend Ewan Black, KitUp gives people the chance to hire outdoor equipment from surfing and skiing to biking and camping. Bruce, 32, hopes the idea will help…

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Aberfoyle hosts ‘Grand Old Dukes’ gravel ride

ABERFOYLE will host the new “Grand Old Dukes” gravel riding endurance event for solo riders and relay teams on 30 April. The new event will be accompanied by the Gravelfoyle festival of cycling, a two-day community festival on 29 and 30 April in the Grand Old Dukes event village at Dounans Outdoor Centre in Aberfoyle. Kerry MacPhee,…

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The Helix hits ‘gold’ standard

THE HELIX park in Falkirk has received “gold” accreditation from the Green Tourism organisation after passing its sustainability tests. The park, which is home to The Kelpies sculptures, received a score of 80%. The “gold” award marks an upgrade from The Helix’s previous “bronze” ranking. Councillor Paul Garner, Falkirk Council’s spokesman for economic development and…

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National Museum of Rural Life ‘springs’ into life

THE National Museum of Rural Life in East Kilbride is preparing to host its “Spring Explorers” events. The museum is holding craft activities and storytelling sessions, and offering a chance to see lambs, carves, and piglets on 3-6 April. Its new “Dolly the Sheep Trail” opens on 1 April and runs until 4 June to…

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Mountaineering Scotland Awards winners unveiled

THE winners of this year’s Mountaineering Scotland Awards have been named. The Mountaineering Scotland Volunteer of the Year Award was presented to Ian Rendall, of the Orkney Climbing Club, at the YCS Grand Final at RockStar Climbing in Swindon. The ClimbScotland Young Climber of the Year Award went to Jamie Lowther from the Cairngorms Geckos…

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Old Man of Storr footpaths restored

FOOTPATHS at the Old Man of Storr on Skye have been relaid ahead of the busy summer tourist season. Phase two of the project involved relaying the path near the top of the “Photographer’s Knoll”. Duncan Bryden, chair of the Outdoor Access Trust for Scotland (OATS), said: “OATS [is] delighted that the paths at the…

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Trump Turnberry

Trump Turnberry: On the tenth day of Christmas my true love gave to me… the gift of the great outdoors Surrounded by 800 acres of captivating Scottish countryside, Trump Turnberry offers a range of incredible outdoor pursuits, from exhilarating activities on land to invigorating experiences on the water. As well as championship golf, explore everything…

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Rower Jamie Douglas-Hamilton prepares for Antarctic trial

SCOTTISH adventurer Jamie Douglas-Hamilton is preparing to row from Antarctica to South Georgia to raise money for the British Heart Foundation and honour Sir Ernest Shackleton’s carpenter. Douglas-Hamilton is undertaking the row just months after undergoing open heart surgery at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh to repair a leaking aortic valve. The 950-mile expedition is…

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‘Castle of Light’ trail opens in Edinburgh

EDINBURGH’S “Castle of Light” trail was switched on over the weekend by a couple chosen through a public vote. Maurice and Julia Maguire, who own Majestic Wedding Cars Edinburgh, were joined by Rex, the castle’s lion rampant mascot, to switch on the castle’s illuminations. The light trail tells the story of Edinburgh Castle, stretching back…

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Glengarry launches £250,000 forest cabin bid

RESIDENTS in Lochaber have launched a crowdfunding scheme to raise the £250,000 they need to start Glengarry Forest Cabins. The Glengarry Community Benefit Society (GCBS) has been created to run the forest cabins, which is expected to create several jobs in the area. Profits from the cabins will be used to fund work at Glengarry…

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