I’LL be travelling down to Dumfries and Galashiels next Monday and Tuesday to give two talks on Jordan - Wadi Rum Prophets and Petra. I’ve been over to Jordan three times in the past 3 years and I’ve become very fond of this marvellously historic country. I’ve also discovered there’s far more to Jordan than Petra and Wadi Rum so I’ll be talking about the wee trip we took earlier this year - a fantastic walk between Dana Nature Reserve and Petra, in the footsteps of some of the old biblical prophets. Immediately after that trip we were caught up in the volcanic ash fiasco, but that’s another story…

Full details are on the home page and I hope to see some of you at one of the talks.

Above: Jordanian desert landscape

Below: The rose-red city of Petra

I’M delighted to have been asked to introduce Chris Bonington to the audience at the Alhambra Theatre in Dunfermline next Friday.

Chris will present an illustrated lecture on his long career as a mountaineer in an event being organised by Dunfermline Heritage Trust. In that time he has had nineteen expeditions to the Himalayas including four to Everest and the first ever ascent of Annapurna. His incredibly varied career has also included hunting for caribou with Eskimos on Baffin Island and climbing the highest active volcano in the world, As an adventure journalist and photographer he also accompanied an army expedition led by Captain John Blashford-Snell on the first ever descent of the Blue Nile. In the autumn of 1975 he led the British Everest expedition to the summit of Everest.

Chris will be sharing these and other highlights of his mountaineering life to what is expected to be a large appreciative audience in Dunfermline, particularly as it is several years since he has lectured in this area of Scotland, and he will cover a number of important anniversary events including:

50th Anniversary of his first ascent of Annapurna II

40th Anniversary, 1st ascent South Face of Annapurna

35th Anniversary 1st ascent South West Face of Everest

25th Anniversary of his ascent of Everest.

There are still some tickets available - they cost £15 are are available from the Alhambra Theatre in Dunfermline.

One of Britain’s most famous mountaineers, Sir Chris Bonington, has agreed to come to the Alhambra Theatre in Dunfermline on Friday 24^th September to present an illustrated lecture on his long career as a mountaineer in an event being organised by Dunfermline Heritage Trust. In that time he has had nineteen expeditions to the Himalayas including four to Everest and the first ever ascent of Annapurna. A professional mountaineer and explorer, his varied career has also included hunting for caribou with Eskimos on Baffin Island and climbing the highest active volcano in the world, As an adventure journalist and photographer he also accompanied an army expedition led by Captain John Blashford-Snell on the first ever descent of the Blue Nile. In the autumn of 1975 he led the British Everest expedition to the summit of Everest.

Chris Bonington will be sharing these and other highlights of his mountaineering life to what is expected to be a large appreciative audience in Dunfermline, particularly as it is several years since he has lectured in this area of Scotland, and he will cover a number of important anniversary events including:

50th Anniversary of his first ascent of Annapurna II

40th Anniversary, 1st ascent South Face of Annapurna

35th Anniversary 1st ascent South West Face of Everest

25th Anniversary of his ascent of Everest.

Dunfermline Heritage Trust Chairman Craig Lindsay is delighted to be welcoming such a major attraction. “It’s quite a coup to have been able to persuade Sir Chris Bonington to present this anniversary lecture here in Dunfermline. As Britain’s most famous mountaineer, he is ideally placed to speak about his exploits around the world over the past fifty years. We are also very pleased to have secured support from ‘Celebrating Fife 2010’ to have enabled us to stage such a prestigious event”

Tickets priced £15 are available from Abbot House on 733266 and the Alhambra Theatre on 740384.

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For further information on the above release please contact Frank Connelly on 07748736042

BOY, what a year it’s been for islands. Spent some time a few months ago on Lewis and Harris then I was back on Harris for The Great Climb. Last week I was on Vatersay, Barra, Eriskay, South Uist and Benbecula filming for our television journey through the Hebrides and later this week I’m heading off to the wonderful Isle of Arran for the Arran Mountain Festival. I reckon I should be taking shares in Calmac Ferries! On Arran I’m speaking in the Corrie Village Hall on Saturday night at 8pm and my talk will be followed by a celeidh with a cracking local band.

I’ve always loved Arran. Some of my first mountain experiences were on the rugged hills of the island and a number of years ago I was delighted to officially open the Arran Coastal Trail, a 64 mile romp around the island. Then I was back about 3 years ago to give a talk at the Arran Walking Festival and this time round I’ll probably stay for the weekend and do something a bit different. I’m keen to go over to the Holy Isle and discover something of the island and the Buddhist folk who own it. And if the weather’s half-decent it would be great to get on to the ridges - some of the finest in Scotland.

If you’re in the area over the weekend there’s lots on offer on the island. The Festival will be organising walks of all standards, sea kayaking, navigation courses, rock climbing and all the great stuff that goes on when hillwalkers and climbers get together. Check out the festival website and get your bookings in now and I might see you there.

Photo: Goat Fell from Brodick

Emily Rodway, TGO’s new editor, and I had a day on the Buachaille Etive Beag last week. We made this wee video while we were there.

 

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