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Ben MacGregor


OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: Staxigoe to Sarclet paddle takes simple planning compared to others

23 July 2024
OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: Staxigoe to Sarclet paddle takes simple planning compared to others

OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: Staxigoe to Sarclet paddle takes simple planning compared to others

23 July 2024

Shuttles are a necessary part of A to B kayak trips, but some are more complex than others


OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: A privileged look round an abandoned island

09 July 2024
OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: A privileged look round an abandoned island

OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: A privileged look round an abandoned island

09 July 2024

Choppy waters are worth it for a visit to Eilean Nan Roan.


OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: Scaraben hike serves up montane flowers, birdlife and even jumping salmon

25 June 2024
OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: Scaraben hike serves up montane flowers, birdlife and even jumping salmon

OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: Scaraben hike serves up montane flowers, birdlife and even jumping salmon

25 June 2024

A chilly summer walk up one of Caithness’s finest hills offers plenty to see from river to summit


OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: It’s the grim days that stick in your mind!

11 June 2024
OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: It’s the grim days that stick in your mind!

OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: It’s the grim days that stick in your mind!

11 June 2024

Good weather may make for stunning photographs but it’s the bad weather days that bring the best stories


OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: Red, black and blue - the effect of mountain bike trails in the wet!

28 May 2024
OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: Red, black and blue - the effect of mountain bike trails in the wet!

OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: Red, black and blue - the effect of mountain bike trails in the wet!

28 May 2024

Downpours make for a tough test on tricky trails in Lake District – but ‘Ralph maun ride’!


OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: Cruise liner at Scrabster dwarfs my kayak!

14 May 2024
OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: Cruise liner at Scrabster dwarfs my kayak!

OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: Cruise liner at Scrabster dwarfs my kayak!

14 May 2024

A gentle paddle is a small adventure after a difficult few weeks for getting out and about


OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: Escaping the A9 for high hill above Ralia pitstop

30 April 2024
OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: Escaping the A9 for high hill above Ralia pitstop

OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: Escaping the A9 for high hill above Ralia pitstop

30 April 2024

Exploring a hidden route up a fine hill is a wonderful way to break up any journey south


OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: Loch Tuim Ghlais is not as remote as it once was – but still a place lost in time

16 April 2024
OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: Loch Tuim Ghlais is not as remote as it once was – but still a place lost in time

OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: Loch Tuim Ghlais is not as remote as it once was – but still a place lost in time

16 April 2024

Exploring the remote lochs and lochans of Caithness is not the same challenge that it once was, but there are few who have visited them all


OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: Kyle of Tongue offers enough shelter for an early spring sea paddle

12 March 2024
OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: Kyle of Tongue offers enough shelter for an early spring sea paddle

OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: Kyle of Tongue offers enough shelter for an early spring sea paddle

12 March 2024

The shallow waters of the Kyle offer a perfect place to enjoy the delights of the north coast, well protected from the forecast swell


OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: Finding hills and hail on a winter trip to Orkney

27 February 2024
OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: Finding hills and hail on a winter trip to Orkney

OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: Finding hills and hail on a winter trip to Orkney

27 February 2024

An e-bike tour of the Orkney Mainland throws up a few surprises alongside a visit to the ancient homes at Skara Brae


OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: When the Moin road was little more than a track

13 February 2024
OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: When the Moin road was little more than a track

OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: When the Moin road was little more than a track

13 February 2024

Cycling the quiet lanes, Ralph explores into the woods and hills off the north coast road – with battery back-up and a flask of tea


OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: Storm Isha? Nothing more than an old-fashioned Caithness gale!

30 January 2024
OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: Storm Isha? Nothing more than an old-fashioned Caithness gale!

OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: Storm Isha? Nothing more than an old-fashioned Caithness gale!

30 January 2024

Walk at Dunnet Head offers an insight into a past world of crofting and church-going on northerly peninsula


OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: The wonders of winter below glorious Assynt mountains

16 January 2024
OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: The wonders of winter below glorious Assynt mountains

OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: The wonders of winter below glorious Assynt mountains

16 January 2024

Clear skies, freezing air and snow-capped hills – a perfect chance to explore quiet Highland roads by bike in the off-season


OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: Plenty to enjoy even on a north winter’s day

02 January 2024
OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: Plenty to enjoy even on a north winter’s day

OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: Plenty to enjoy even on a north winter’s day

02 January 2024

At this time of dark, short days it is tempting not to venture far from home!


OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: Getting back into the swing on Caithness waters

12 December 2023
OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: Getting back into the swing on Caithness waters

OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: Getting back into the swing on Caithness waters

12 December 2023

My river kayak had sat, unused, at the back of the garage since before the pandemic. It was time to get it out.


OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: Pilgrimage to a place of peace in Flow Country

28 November 2023
OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: Pilgrimage to a place of peace in Flow Country

OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: Pilgrimage to a place of peace in Flow Country

28 November 2023

I always enjoy the weather, whatever it may be doing, but admit that some days are better for some activities rather than others!


OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: Beating the rush up Great Gable in the Lake District

14 November 2023
OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: Beating the rush up Great Gable in the Lake District

OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: Beating the rush up Great Gable in the Lake District

14 November 2023

Wainwright's English hills are more popular than the Munros, but there are still ways to discover peace in the mountains


OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: Dream of Cuillin traverse still strong despite scares

03 October 2023
OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: Dream of Cuillin traverse still strong despite scares

OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: Dream of Cuillin traverse still strong despite scares

03 October 2023

'You can get round anything on Skye' – Hamish Brown's assertion has acted as an inspiration to Ralph as he explores the precipitous ridge


OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: Watching the trees come and go in the Flow Country

19 September 2023
OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: Watching the trees come and go in the Flow Country

OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: Watching the trees come and go in the Flow Country

19 September 2023

The peatlands of Caithness and Sutherland are slowly returning to their natural state, as Ralph takes a walk up Ben Griam Beg to get a better look


OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: Feeling like new on powered ride at Rumster and Camster

06 September 2023
OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: Feeling like new on powered ride at Rumster and Camster

OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: Feeling like new on powered ride at Rumster and Camster

06 September 2023

Taking the e-bike gives a new lease of life and allows our intrepid explorer to go further again


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