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Far north is a proper part of the Highlands – and benefits from lack of crowds
28 November 2021
Far north is a proper part of the Highlands – and benefits from lack of crowds
28 November 2021OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: Wildlife and natural features aplenty in Caithness and north Sutherland can easily compare to elsewhere in the region
On the road – or footpath – to recovery
13 November 2021
On the road – or footpath – to recovery
13 November 2021OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: Gentle walks and getting back on the bike are all a step in the right direction after operation
Any excuse to explore a new part of Scotland
10 October 2021
Any excuse to explore a new part of Scotland
10 October 2021OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: Taking inspiration from the train window and finding time to visit places seldom seen
A step too far for a sea kayak?
11 September 2021
A step too far for a sea kayak?
11 September 2021OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: An expose stretch of coastline makes for an exciting paddle when you can explore the many rock features along the way
Journey along the A9 offers adventures if you escape the beaten track
28 August 2021
Journey along the A9 offers adventures if you escape the beaten track
28 August 2021OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: Breaking up the journey can provide hours of fun and fantastic places to explore
Tide and time wait for no man on a visit to another world
07 August 2021
Tide and time wait for no man on a visit to another world
07 August 2021OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: A solo adventure to an uninhabited island makes for an apprehensive but fascinating trip back in time
Pedalling and paddling along the misty north coast
21 July 2021
Pedalling and paddling along the misty north coast
21 July 2021OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH Our explorer covers a foggy stretch of Caithness and Sutherland between Sandside and Portskerra by bike and kayak
Under the Ord walk, down by the sea
11 July 2021
Under the Ord walk, down by the sea
11 July 2021OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: Perfect conditions make exploring the coast by the Ord an unusually easy experience
On an island with or without ewes
27 June 2021
On an island with or without ewes
27 June 2021OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: Getting to remote parts is all part of the attraction of taking to the water
Trails are a test – and that's before you even get off road!
13 June 2021
Trails are a test – and that's before you even get off road!
13 June 2021OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: On the passes of the Lake District, our intrepid explorer tries out and e-bike and discovers it has its ups and downs...
Cold comfort of paddling the Caithness coast under cover of darkness
29 May 2021
Cold comfort of paddling the Caithness coast under cover of darkness
29 May 2021OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: An advanced sea kayaking leadership course offers our intrepid explorer an insight into its many challenges
Signs of spring in the countryside are hard to miss
16 May 2021
Signs of spring in the countryside are hard to miss
16 May 2021OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: Despite the long, cold winter, there is wildlife to be seen – and heard – across Caithness
Bothy visit brings back memories
02 May 2021
Bothy visit brings back memories
02 May 2021OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: A paddle on Loch Eriboll offers a trip back in time in more ways than one
Rough conditions make for an inland adventure
18 April 2021
Rough conditions make for an inland adventure
18 April 2021OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: Taking to the lochs of Caithness for a calmer kayaking experience
Change of seasons makes Loch More area seem like two different worlds
04 April 2021
Change of seasons makes Loch More area seem like two different worlds
04 April 2021OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: From skis to sea kayak on the lochs of the flow country
Sub-zero sojourn into flow country's remote parts
20 February 2021
Sub-zero sojourn into flow country's remote parts
20 February 2021OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: A frozen landscape of dubh lochs and bog offers tough but rewarding walking into the wilds
Cycling felt more like skiing on fresh, early morning snowfall
07 February 2021
Cycling felt more like skiing on fresh, early morning snowfall
07 February 2021OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: Biking, walking and dreaming of sea kayaking as lockdown keeps us close to home
Journeys to remember as we wait for the light to return
24 January 2021
Journeys to remember as we wait for the light to return
24 January 2021OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: Travelling the highways in weather fair and foul – but not this winter
Clifftop trail at Groats and Duncansby Head is a favourite walk
09 January 2021
Clifftop trail at Groats and Duncansby Head is a favourite walk
09 January 2021OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: Seals and swell are best experienced from a distance and this walk from the end of the road is ideal
Why would anyone be out on the loch on such a windy day?
09 December 2020
Why would anyone be out on the loch on such a windy day?
09 December 2020OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: Days out at Watten and Kyle of Tongue, with a reminder that quiet interludes for sea-kayaking are rare at this time of year