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OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: Orkney's dark clouds bring early retreat from Shapinsay

25 April 2023
OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: Orkney's dark clouds bring early retreat from Shapinsay

OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: Orkney's dark clouds bring early retreat from Shapinsay

25 April 2023

Exploring one of Orkney's smaller inhabited islands on the e-bike required full waterproofs – but even that wasn't enough to beat the weather


OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: Battling wind and rain all part of the cycling experience in Orkney

11 April 2023
OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: Battling wind and rain all part of the cycling experience in Orkney

OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: Battling wind and rain all part of the cycling experience in Orkney

11 April 2023

Heading north to Orkney offers plenty of opportunities on the bike, but taking the elements in your stride is a necessary evil


OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: Trees need that little bit of extra help here in Caithness

28 March 2023
OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: Trees need that little bit of extra help here in Caithness

OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: Trees need that little bit of extra help here in Caithness

28 March 2023

Planting trees is hard work wherever you are, but in the far north we need to look after this precious resource even more than elsewhere


OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: Opening the door to a blanket of perfect skiing

14 March 2023
OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: Opening the door to a blanket of perfect skiing

OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: Opening the door to a blanket of perfect skiing

14 March 2023

The joys of exploring from the doorstep in this snowy excursion in Caithness


OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: Winds of change as paddling plan aborted

28 February 2023
OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: Winds of change as paddling plan aborted

OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: Winds of change as paddling plan aborted

28 February 2023

It's not always easy to take advantage of the weather conditions in Caithness – but an e-bike certainly helps!


OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: Nothing to stop you enjoying our wonderful countryside

14 February 2023
OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: Nothing to stop you enjoying our wonderful countryside

OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: Nothing to stop you enjoying our wonderful countryside

14 February 2023

After 20 years of land reform, a kayak trip down Loch More to Loch Gaineimh is not the sneaky outing it might once have been


OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: Plugged into the electric revolution

17 January 2023
OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: Plugged into the electric revolution

OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: Plugged into the electric revolution

17 January 2023

After hundreds of thousands of miles cycling, Ralph finally gives into the temptation of an e-bike, taking the sting out of the hills and wind


OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: A walk without a purpose is a true escape

03 January 2023
OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: A walk without a purpose is a true escape

OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: A walk without a purpose is a true escape

03 January 2023

With work in the woodland ongoing, getting out for a winter stroll means jobs can be put on the backburner – at least for now


OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: A hole lot more to a trip over the firth to Orkney

20 December 2022
OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: A hole lot more to a trip over the firth to Orkney

OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: A hole lot more to a trip over the firth to Orkney

20 December 2022

Getting out is the best way to lift the spirits as winter takes a grip in the far north


Out and About With Ralph: Feeling swell on gentle paddle down Thurso River

06 December 2022
Out and About With Ralph: Feeling swell on gentle paddle down Thurso River

Out and About With Ralph: Feeling swell on gentle paddle down Thurso River

06 December 2022

Packing all the gear is the hardest part of a relaxing river journey to the north coast at Thurso Bay


OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: Paddling through the autumn beauties of Affric and Aigas

08 November 2022
OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: Paddling through the autumn beauties of Affric and Aigas

OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: Paddling through the autumn beauties of Affric and Aigas

08 November 2022

A weekend of calm wonders in the boat in this autumnal journey to Glen Affric and Aigas in Strathglass.


OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: Secret channel is one of Caithness's hidden gems

11 October 2022
OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: Secret channel is one of Caithness's hidden gems

OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: Secret channel is one of Caithness's hidden gems

11 October 2022

A calm day inshore gives rise to a kayak trip and a loch reached through a barely visible narrow channel


OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: Dramatic edges are part of the attraction along John O'Groats Trail

27 September 2022
OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: Dramatic edges are part of the attraction along John O'Groats Trail

OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: Dramatic edges are part of the attraction along John O'Groats Trail

27 September 2022

Instead of stepping away from dedicated long-distance paths, our intrepid explorer follows the one closest to home


OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: Taking it slowly shows scale of landscape

30 August 2022
OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: Taking it slowly shows scale of landscape

OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: Taking it slowly shows scale of landscape

30 August 2022

Exploring a new stretch of coastline around the Seaboard villages of Easter Ross, visiting the Tarbet Ness lighthouse on an overnight kayak expedition


OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: Making the most of weather windows – when it works

16 August 2022
OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: Making the most of weather windows – when it works

OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: Making the most of weather windows – when it works

16 August 2022

Weather forecasts are more accurate than ever – and usually they can be relied upon to fit in some dry activity. But not always...


OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: Clock stops on Stroma after lumpy paddle across Pentland Firth

03 August 2022
OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: Clock stops on Stroma after lumpy paddle across Pentland Firth

OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: Clock stops on Stroma after lumpy paddle across Pentland Firth

03 August 2022

Time stands still on abandoned island – a vast contrast to the fast-moving waters crossed to reach this enchanting place


OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: High Hopes for the long and winding road to Altnaharra

06 July 2022
OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: High Hopes for the long and winding road to Altnaharra

OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: High Hopes for the long and winding road to Altnaharra

06 July 2022

The Hope Lodge to Altnaharra road has always been very narrow, winding and with few passing places over its 20 miles.


OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: One-way ticket to paddle glorious Caithness coastline

22 June 2022
OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: One-way ticket to paddle glorious Caithness coastline

OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: One-way ticket to paddle glorious Caithness coastline

22 June 2022

With the logistics sorted, time to kayak under great cliffs, into hidden caves and around beautiful bays


OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: Getting pumped on easier trails, despite heart worries

08 June 2022
OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: Getting pumped on easier trails, despite heart worries

OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: Getting pumped on easier trails, despite heart worries

08 June 2022

A visit to the Lake District for a tamer outing on some of the most spectacular mountain bike trails in the country


Wildlife wonders in Caithness really lift the spirit

18 May 2022
Wildlife wonders in Caithness really lift the spirit

Wildlife wonders in Caithness really lift the spirit

18 May 2022

OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: No sting in the tail getting closer to nature across the far north


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