Hillwalking in Scotland

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HILLWALKING IN SCOTLAND Sally & Crawford Lindsay Anyone from Britain who goes to live in a everyone on the meet stays at the same foreign, but English-speaking country, place, people of all abilities and ambitions soon realizes that they do not speak the join in this socializing; its very egalitarian. same language as the other inhabitants. New Zealand is no exception to this. We Huts fall into two categories: club huts, joined WT&MC in hopes of meeting people and bothies. The former are owned and like ourselves, and immediately maintained by climbing clubs, and some discovered a whole new vocabulary. We are quite civilised. They are locked, and will spare you the details, but perhaps the must be booked in advance, with a charge most basic difference is contained in the of up to $10 per person per night. Bothies title above. Hillwalking is not a familiar are at the other end of the scale. They are concept in Wellington (despite the maintained by a voluntary organization, topography of the city). We thought you but are owned by the estates on which might be interested to read a little about they stand. typical weekends in the Scottish Highlands. It might also go some way Often they are abandoned shepherds towards explaining our odd behaviour over cottages or similar, consisting of little the past two years!! more than four walls and a roof. However,

NRP they are free of charge and are open to all. % B A t BBY It is considered bad practice to take a club * t - % meet to a small bothy, as this could saaat i sias A exclude other people, so camping is Our club in Scotland was extremely small, another alternative. Camping is done in with about 60 members and a committee tents solid, double skin tents with of1. We were quite bemused to find that built-in groundsheets, capable of staying such an enormous club as WT&MC has up in strong winds. Although most just as many problems persuading hillwalkers possess a tent, camping meets sufficient people to go into the hills at only take place a couple of times a year weekends. In Scotland, trips are referred because huts are more sociable. The tents to as "meets" because participants travel are used most on individual trips. independently to a specified location att

(usually a and % asa S * i pub) meet there, before continuing to the accommodation for the X a weekend. Club meets are normally based sa32s 7a a saiat ven at a central point, with people venturing Since Scotland's hills (on the whole) are out for the day as the mood takes them. lower and less precipitous than New Nothing is fixed in advance, and exploits Zealand's, a good day out should involve vary greatly, depending on the weather, the ascent of several hills. Most the company, and the proximity of hillwalkers (whether they admit it or not) teashops or pubs. Generally, the intention are actually "Munro-baggers". Towards is to reach the summit of at least one hill. the end of last century, a gentleman named Munro produced a list of Scottish A club meet is not the communal affair Hills over 3000 feet in height, and people that a New Zealand trip is. There is no have been ticking them off ever since. party gear, though the meet leader should Metrication and re-surveying have arrange for new members to borrow gear if introduced variations, but the list remains necessary. Cooking is done separately, essentially the same. There are currently with much conversation centering on what over 500 tops, so it is a long term hobby, kind of gourmet dishes are being and takes one to most parts of the produced. Usually a modest amount of Highlands. wine, beer or whisky accompanies the meals, and the evening is spent exchanging stories by the fire. Since

One of the most obvious differences seen, being worn mainly out of sheer between New Zealand and Scotland is the bravado. Keeping dry is very important in latters lack of bush. (To the average Kiwi, sub-zero temperatures, and becomes the Highlands would presumably seem second nature. This explains our bleak and barren). This means that you obsession with dry feet, and reluctance to do not need a path to make reasonable plunge into rivers. progress, and also means that panoramic views are available at all stages, assuming The passage of the seasons is much more the weather cooperates. Since walking on marked in Scotland, with changing colours paths is the exception rather that the rule, and textures in the land as the snow navigation is a very necessary skill. Map comes and goes, and the trees renew their and compass seem to be used much more leaves. Spring brings wild flowers in frequently than in New Zealand, abundance, and an amazing contrast especially when the weather doesn't between the glens and the hilltops. Many cooperate. There are almost no signposts people have winter and summer sleeping or markers. bags and boots, to handle the different conditions. Deciding when to change over Another major difference is Scotland's is always difficult. 'freedom to roam"; the de-facto right to go where one pleases. Most of the land is in You'll have gathered that at home, we do private ownership, but generally there is a things slightly differently as usual, its a good relationship between landowners and question of what you're used to. (But we the public. The only time when have had a great time in New Zealand, permission needs to be sought, before and have learnt a lot). This is but a brief setting off, is during the stalking season introduction to the delights of Scotland - (Autumn). Some areas (e.g. native for anyone who wants to know more, we reserves and National Trust land) are recommend some in-depth personal exempt from stalking, and therefore research, preferably in the Springtime. receive more visitors at such times. It is to be hoped that the present arrangements See you in Edinburgh. continue, as it is a great privilege to be allowed to walk where and when we choose. Living in a country without the freedom to roam has made us appreciate this all the more. Being at a higher latitude, Scotland's climate is harsher than much of New Zealand's, and the Tararuas in particular. Snow is commonly found on the tops from early November until late May, and lingers all year round in certain shady e spots. Our main seasons for hillwalking us are Winter and Spring Summer is L regarded as being too warm! Ice axe and A crampons are therefore standard TAL B equipment, as are long trousers or breeches (often tweed). Shorts are rarely - ANVA Mal --S