Scottish Winter Activities Affected By Climate Change

 Introduction

This morning I noticed a press report to effect that the Nevis Range ski resort (near Fort William) is to delay its winter season in a bid to fight for 'survival' consequent upon the actions of climate change.

 Library picture of Aonach Mor Ski Run (Nevis Range)


This report resurrected memory of an outdoor but unofficial 'bonspiel' (curling on outdoor frozen loch/lake) at Lake of Menteith the likes of which we have not seen since nor likely to again.

Blog post extract from 2010

Today, I availed of a little jaunt out to Lake of Menteith, about 1 hour from Glasgow in the Trossachs. Prime purpose was to view curling on the frozen lake, which is a once in 20/30 year event in turn due to the extreme cold weather we have experienced of late which froze the water to a thickness of 5-7 inches. Some folks walked over the ice to the Inchmahome Priory but I could not be tempted.

The curling authorities had hoped to hold a ‘bonspiel’ on the lake but, sadly, this has to be cancelled due to Health & Safety considerations. Bonspiel is an old Scots word meaning tournament between households but has been adopted by curlers as the name for a Grand Match.

Despite lack of official backing, a contingent of curlers did turn up and provided some interesting entertainment. This is the first time I had ever witnessed such an event. Also present was a detachment of local police (for what purpose is not clear) and a large media cohort including the BBC with TV facilities.

Curling in process


Dancing on Ice? Well, sort of.


 Curling stones ready for action.

 

Curling in process.

 

Here is a video clip of the curling in process.


 

More information for the visitor

A wide range of information (including activities) can be found in the extensively illustrated Visitors’ Guide to Scotland.. ISBN is 978-1-9161332-0-4. This book is also available via Kindle.

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