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chills and thrills Looking west from Ben Vrackie, near Pitlochry, Perthshire, a isle saddle up favourite walk A new cycle sportive will take place of Dan Bailey’s on the Isle of Arran off ’s west coast next year. The Arran Sportive, on September 3, offers two routes – the 56-mile Full Island Loop and the 35-mile Half Island Loop. The road cycling event will follow hilly courses but the views offer great rewards for tired legs. There is a reduced entry fee for riders who pledge to raise funds for the Winter charity Ocean Youth Trust Scotland. ■ To enter, see www.sientries. walks co.uk and to find out more, email Get warmed up for [email protected] special Kit of the week Primino BaselayerS British outdoor gear brand Montane great winter walks have launched a new low-odour The winter might Primino baselayer range. be cold, wet and The new collection, in short and long-sleeved designs, is made from sometimes snowy a mix of merino wool and 25 per cent but there are still synthetic PrimaLoft insulation. some great rewards The garments for getting outdoors. also benefit form I asked three keen walkers to Montane’s pick one of their favourites: polygiene Helen Webster is co-founder treatment, FIONA of the leading Scottish walking described RUSSELL website WalkHighlands.co.uk as a “cutting Chosen walk: edge odour Lime Craig management circuit, near Aberfoyle, technology”. Stirlingshire. Polygiene The cold spell is Helen likes to walk with her niece on this 3.75-mile route contains well and truly here not too wuff Bynack More a fave walk of Steven Fallon – and his dogs silver salt, that starts from The Lodge also known as but that doesn’t Forest Visitor Centre, just Chosen walk: Ben Vrackie, Steven Fallon has walked a silver chloride, outside Aberfoyle, in the near Pitlochry, Perthshire. record-breaking 15 rounds of natural in water mean you have to heart of Loch Lomond & the Dan has lost count of the and soil. This inhibits the growth Scotland’s highest mountains, shut up shop and Trossachs National Park. times he has hiked to the 841m the 282 . He is also a of odour-causing bacteria, to keep She said: “When the days are your baselayer smelling sweet even summit of Ben Vrackie Corbett. hill walking guide at www. stay at home. The short of light and I don’t feel The dad-of-two said: “This stevenfallon.co.uk after extended use. It also helps to like slogging up a mountain, prolong the lifetime of garments as great outdoors is standalone summit above the Chosen walk: The , it guards against fabric-deteriorating I look for a walk with a bit of pretty town of Pitlochry has all Bynack More, from Glenmore mould fungus and bacteria. spectacular at this everything and the chance for the ingredients of a classic Lodge, near , in the ■ See www.montane.co.uk/en a coffee and cake at the end. The little hill walk. It has a graceful, National Park. Lime Craig circuit has it all. time of year and peaked profile, the views are He said: “I enjoy this walk “You even have the chance to far-reaching and the route of we asked three place one foot in the Lowlands whatever the time of year but ascent is firmly the right side of in the winter the views over the and one in the Highlands manageable. If my girls, aged walking fans because the walk crosses the Cairngorms and back to Ben two and five, can do it, then Avon are particularly lovely. Highland boundary fault.” so can almost anyone.” to share their “The route heads past The first part of the walk heads The most common route favourite through mature oakwoods and extends to seven miles return beautiful Lochan Uaine on a wintry routes. passes waterfalls that can be from Woodland car park, good track and thereafter it’s a impressive after winter rainfall. accessed via a steep uphill drive well-trodden path for much of The route then heads uphill from the village of Moulin. The the route. Higher up in snowy to open ground with fabulous walk takes on average about 3.5 conditions it can become a bit views, including the wide hours and is graded moderate. tricky. This is a favourite Munro slide into 2016 expanse of flatter ground Dan added: “Although not the for me and my dogs enjoy it too.” Enjoy guaranteed snow and some heading towards Stirling. tallest of peaks in Scotland, Ben The ascent is 850m to reach slope-time fun at a special New Year’s n For route details see The Vrackie is still every inch a the summit at 1090m and the Day event. Snow Factor, at Braehead, Lime Craig circuit on www. mountain, with enough height total distance is almost 14 miles. near Glasgow, is offering a deal of a walkhighlands.co.uk to ensure some serious seasonal nFor route details see four-hour lift pass, freestyle features Dan Bailey is the author of conditions.” “Alternative Routes” and on the lesson slope and a full Scottish several mountain guidebooks nFor route details see Ben then “Bynack More” from breakfast on January 1. and editor at www. Vrackie Quickie on www. Glenmore” at www. It is recommended that skiers and Advice UKhillwalking.com ukhillwalking.com stevenfallon.co.uk/macdui.html snowboarders book ahead. Tickets are £30 per person. Snow Factor is and Join me on my adventures in Scotland’s great outdoors by checking out open 11am to 7pm on New Year’s Day. ideas my award-winning website at www.fionaoutdoors.co.uk – you’ll find lots of great ■ See www.snowfactor.com information about walking, cycling, running, other outdoor activities and kit reviews.