Author Archives: MART IN THE HILLS

About MART IN THE HILLS

Hillwalker with dodgy knees and dodgier sense of humour. Lover of the outdoors, Lakes, Highlands, Cheviots, nature, good food, real ale and leaf tea.

Ben Alder and the Bike-Hammer-Brake Adventure

Posted on March 3, 2018

Probably the greatest influence on our early Highland trips was Irvin Butterfield’s book, ‘The High Mountains Of Britain And Ireland: A Guide For Mountain Walkers’. Full of superb mountain photos that would inspire many an adventure for years to come. Ben … Continue reading →

Posted in Scottish Highlands & Skye, Uncategorized | Tagged Ben Alder & Beinn Bheoil, bike-hammer-break, Central Highlands, Dalwhinnie | Leave a comment

The Wall Years – Two Men’s Competitive Obsession on the High Section of Hadrian’s Wall

Posted on January 19, 2017

Everyone loves the high section of Hadrian’s Wall, all that spectacular scenery, a great place for a stroll, maybe visit Sycamore Gap, have a picnic, see what the Romans did for us. That’s what normal people do isn’t it? For … Continue reading →

Posted in Hadrian's Wall, Northumberland | Tagged Hadrian's Wall, Housesteads to Winshields, Northumberland, racing, running, Winshield Crags | Leave a comment

Probably the best route up the Cheviot from Langleeford – via Lambden Valley, College Valley and the Hen Hole – (13 miles)

Posted on September 9, 2016

For many of us the Cheviot often seems a big boring lump of soggy Northumberland peat. But at 2,674ft this is England’s highest point outside the Lakes & Pennines. It’s few interesting features are hidden away on the remote north western edges (best accessed … Continue reading →

Posted in Cheviot Hills, Northumberland | Tagged Cheviot Hills, Cheviots routes, College Valley, Dunsdale, Goldscleugh, Harthope Valley, Hawsen Burn, Hen Hole, hiking, Lambden Burn, Lambden Valley, Langleeford routes, Northumberland walks, Social Hiking, The Cheviot | 15 Comments

How to access the Coquet Valley and Cheviot Hills by car through Otterburn Military Ranges, via Dere Street

Posted on August 20, 2016

Until recently I’d assumed there was only one permissible way to reach Barrowburn and Coquet Valley by car. Along the twisty single track road from the east through Alwinton, there’s even a T sign outside the village! Then I heard of a twisty … Continue reading →

Posted in Cheviot Hills, Northumberland | Tagged Barrowburn, Cheviot Hills, Cheviots routes, Chew Green, Coquet Valley car access from the west and Otterburn, Dere Street access, Otterburn Ranges Access, Otterburn routes, Upper Coquet, Upper Coquetdale | 4 Comments

Adder Encounter in the Cheviots, Northumberland

Posted on May 26, 2016

Thirty-five years I’ve been slogging up hills in the Lakes, Highlands and Cheviots; yet I’ve NEVER seen one of these. Always been very high on my tick list, yep I’m weird that way:-) Last weekend driving back through the Cheviot … Continue reading →

Posted in Cheviot Hills, Northumberland, Random Stuff | Tagged Adder, British snakes, Nature, Northumberland, reptiles | 8 Comments

The Cheviots in winter – a walk in the snow

Posted on March 11, 2016

A quick return to the Cheviots after last weekends return to hillwalking. I’d hardly seen any snow this winter, but now the hills were glistening brightly. Whilst others were enjoying epic days in the Lakes and Highlands, this might be my … Continue reading →

Posted in Cheviot Hills, Northumberland | Tagged Barrowburn, Border Gate, Buffalo Mitts, Cheviot Hills, Cheviots routes, hiking, Kyloe Shin, Northumberland, Shillhope Law, Social Hiking, Trows Rd End, Upper Coquetdale, Windy Gyle route, Windy Gyle view | 10 Comments

A return to hillwalking, featuring the Cheviots, new gloves and 50 men trained to kill

Posted on March 4, 2016

Ten weeks ago whilst driving back from the Cheviot hills my trusty old Mondeo lost power up the steep road out of Rothbury. Repair would be expensive especially with an impending MOT, so the hills were out of bounds until a replacement was found. … Continue reading →

Posted in Cheviot Hills, Northumberland | Tagged Barrowburn, Border Gate, Buffalo Mitts, Cheviot Hills, Cheviots routes, Fairhaugh, hiking, Hindside Knowe, routes from wedder Leap, Social Hiking, The Street bridleway, Trows Rd End, Upper Coquet, Upper Coquetdale, Windy Gyle route, Windy Gyle view | 2 Comments

An Afternoon on Ben Wyvis – the Social Mountain

Posted on December 12, 2015

Expect little and you may be surprised, that was our experience on Ben Wyvis. Intended as a diversion on a drive to Ullapool, it became a surprisingly satisfying afternoon. And we weren’t alone, many others were tackling the hill in … Continue reading →

Posted in Scottish Highlands & Skye | Tagged An Cabar, Ben Wyvis from Garbat, Ben Wyvis route, Ben Wyvis views, Glas Leathad Mor, hiking, Munros, North East Highlands, Quiraing, Scotland, Social Hiking, travel | 2 Comments

An extended Winter Hill and Rivington Pike walk from Lower House – 10 miles

Posted on June 24, 2015

Having done this excellent walk a few times I can’t find a way to improve it. But how do you make a short feature-filled route longer? One option is simply to walk round it twice. And that’s what I’ve been doing … Continue reading →

Posted in Lancashire & Cheshire | Tagged Bolton walks, Chorley walks, hiking, Lever Park, Pigeon Tower, Rivington Pike, Social Hiking, travel, Two Lads, walks near Manchester, West Pennine Moors, Winter Hill & Rivington Pike views, Winter Hill route from Lower House, Winter Hill route via Two Lads, Winter Hill walk | 1 Comment

A Blog From The Blue Tit Box 2015 – Basic Instinct

Posted on June 18, 2015

Anyone following last years success inside the blue tit box would understandably be looking forward to springtime 2015. However the downside of a nestbox camera linked to your telly is having a ringside seat when things go wrong. This year … Continue reading →