Among 20 inspiring walks all over Scotland our local hills feature heavily in this autumn's issue of FREE hillwalking magazine Scottish Walks. Included are route descriptions for the walk over the hills to Innerleithen between Soonhope and Lee Pen; the round of Glensax and an ascent of Broad Law, the highest hill in the Borders. Pick up your free copy when you are next in the Peebles shop.
In November 1992 we were working hard to get our shop in Peebles opened. We were living in a draughty old shepherd's cottage in the Moorfoot Hills at the time and one day, our landlady remarked that there was a famous mountaineer coming to give a fundraising talk in aid of the village hall. It seemed unlikely but yes, Chris Bonington was coming to Carrington. It proved to be a memorable evening that people still occasionally mention to us today. Standing room only with an eclectic audience of school children, Women's Institute stalwarts, elders of the kirk and a smattering of outdoor enthusiasts. It probably wasn't the kind of gathering Bonington was used to speaking to but his professionalism and communication skills ensured that his stories came alive for everyone in the room. At the end of the presentation we joined the scrum of autograph hunters and got his signature on a poster which we hung in our new shop on the day it opened. It stayed on the wall for quite a few...