Covid 19 Update - 24/06/20
At last the Scottish government has given the green light for us to travel back to our beloved hills, (albeit tentatively), so with a certain amount of common sense and good practice, we should be able to resume business. What a relief!
So, as I mentioned below, my diary is quite open at the moment, with so many of the overseas visitors still finding it difficult to travel. The key dates are 3rd July when the restrictions on travel are lifted, and the 15th July when the hospitality industry can start again, so thus providing accommodation.
I have a few thoughts based on advice from the various Mountaineering and Outdoor bodies -
a) Routes chosen for the meantime should avoid difficult scrambling terrain - That will enable us to maintain a social distance without increasing danger. What this means in practice can be discussed during booking.
b) Preferable route plans should avoid the honeypots of Skye for example to enable us to avoid crowds
c) Any groups will need to comply with the figures stipulated by the government, which at the time of writing is still unclear, but should be clarified by the 10th July
I am sure you will have lots of questions and queries, as do I, but I believe that any obstacles in our way to a great experience back in the outdoors should be easily surmounted.
Get in touch.
Come on up.
You know you want to, and I certainly want to see you!!!!
Covid 19 Update - 13/05/20
Well the past 7 weeks has been weird for all of us, and certainly a challenge for those of us who simply define themselves by the outdoors. I have been cycling as much as I could whilst adhering to the guidelines, as well as walking just about every footpath there is within a few hours of my home, all from and back to my doorstep. It has gotten tedious though, so thank heavens for the exceptionally dry weather.
I have been lucky to secure a job with Temp agency, albeit for low wages, a long commute and nightshift, so it has certainly been a shock to the system. As I am one of the self-employed that has fallen through the gaps in the government support, I had no choice, but there you go.
So, what about the future of the outdoors? I don't want to get into politics, as it's far too contentious and emotional a subject right now, but as I type, England are lifting some restrictions, but Scotland remains locked down. I am keen, (read 'desperate'!) to get out, but not until -
a) We are allowed to legally
b) We can travel
c) We are welcome in the areas we choose
d) We can operate with appropriate 'safe' practices with which people are comfortable.
So, as of now, I am still waiting to see what develops, and whether I can start operating again.
I have an almost completely free diary, mainly due to cancellation from foreign clients, and suspect that most over-seas plans that I had will be cancelled too, so anyone hoping for UK adventures later in the year should be able to secure some dates!!!
Thanks for your support over the development of my business, and here's to some happy times on the hills in future.
23/03/20
The effect of the pandemic has been considerable indeed to the outdoors industry, and I am not alone in losing all booked work 'for the foreseeable future'. This, on the back of a terrible winter of poor weather which also led to significant cancellations has meant myself and many of my colleagues face uncertain futures.
My business is now closed, as it is simply impractical and improper to even attempt to adhere to government guidelines of 'local, safe distance and 'essential''.
I wish all my past and hopefully future clients the very best during these trying times, and I am sure we will once more be able to share the hills once this terrible episode is behind us.
Johnny
At last the Scottish government has given the green light for us to travel back to our beloved hills, (albeit tentatively), so with a certain amount of common sense and good practice, we should be able to resume business. What a relief!
So, as I mentioned below, my diary is quite open at the moment, with so many of the overseas visitors still finding it difficult to travel. The key dates are 3rd July when the restrictions on travel are lifted, and the 15th July when the hospitality industry can start again, so thus providing accommodation.
I have a few thoughts based on advice from the various Mountaineering and Outdoor bodies -
a) Routes chosen for the meantime should avoid difficult scrambling terrain - That will enable us to maintain a social distance without increasing danger. What this means in practice can be discussed during booking.
b) Preferable route plans should avoid the honeypots of Skye for example to enable us to avoid crowds
c) Any groups will need to comply with the figures stipulated by the government, which at the time of writing is still unclear, but should be clarified by the 10th July
I am sure you will have lots of questions and queries, as do I, but I believe that any obstacles in our way to a great experience back in the outdoors should be easily surmounted.
Get in touch.
Come on up.
You know you want to, and I certainly want to see you!!!!
Covid 19 Update - 13/05/20
Well the past 7 weeks has been weird for all of us, and certainly a challenge for those of us who simply define themselves by the outdoors. I have been cycling as much as I could whilst adhering to the guidelines, as well as walking just about every footpath there is within a few hours of my home, all from and back to my doorstep. It has gotten tedious though, so thank heavens for the exceptionally dry weather.
I have been lucky to secure a job with Temp agency, albeit for low wages, a long commute and nightshift, so it has certainly been a shock to the system. As I am one of the self-employed that has fallen through the gaps in the government support, I had no choice, but there you go.
So, what about the future of the outdoors? I don't want to get into politics, as it's far too contentious and emotional a subject right now, but as I type, England are lifting some restrictions, but Scotland remains locked down. I am keen, (read 'desperate'!) to get out, but not until -
a) We are allowed to legally
b) We can travel
c) We are welcome in the areas we choose
d) We can operate with appropriate 'safe' practices with which people are comfortable.
So, as of now, I am still waiting to see what develops, and whether I can start operating again.
I have an almost completely free diary, mainly due to cancellation from foreign clients, and suspect that most over-seas plans that I had will be cancelled too, so anyone hoping for UK adventures later in the year should be able to secure some dates!!!
Thanks for your support over the development of my business, and here's to some happy times on the hills in future.
23/03/20
The effect of the pandemic has been considerable indeed to the outdoors industry, and I am not alone in losing all booked work 'for the foreseeable future'. This, on the back of a terrible winter of poor weather which also led to significant cancellations has meant myself and many of my colleagues face uncertain futures.
My business is now closed, as it is simply impractical and improper to even attempt to adhere to government guidelines of 'local, safe distance and 'essential''.
I wish all my past and hopefully future clients the very best during these trying times, and I am sure we will once more be able to share the hills once this terrible episode is behind us.
Johnny
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