Up and doon guided walks

30/05/2023

On the 10th of June it would have been Andy's 43rd Birthday. Andy spent many a birthday partying but plenty more in the hills, bothies or even in a bivvy bag on top of a hill. The long range forecast is looking good for the 10th of June, if you find yourself on top of a hill on the day, spend a few minutes remembering any adventures you had with Andy, I know we will.

Andy's dog Jura unfortunately did not settle well with Andy's Dad, after a few months she found a new forever home with someone who loves to climb the hills with her like Andy did. Jura is ever so happy, on this post is some recent images of her on a hill climb :)

If I have learnt anything more than ever from Andy's death, it is time is so very precious, it is so very short, spend it so very well for time on this earth is worth more than anything you can buy.

Andy maybe gone but he will always be with with us whenever we venture into the hills.......

22/10/2021

More details about the live stream of Andy's funeral. Please visit the funeral directors page below just before noon (12pm BST) on Monday the 25th of October. https://www.facebook.com/mansonandmacbeath

Funeral Service for Andy (Davo) Davidson
Ben Nevis Hotel, Fort William
Monday 25th October 2021 at 12 Noon

A live stream will be made available for those of you who wish to view the service online for Andy. The link for this will be made available just before the service commences at 12 Noon via this page, Manson & MacBeath Funeral Directors.

Please note: you do not need a personal Facebook account to access this live stream.

Anyone that requires some assistance in regards to accessing the online service for Andy can call our funeral home on 01397 701110.

With thanks, on behalf of Dave, Steven and family.

19/10/2021

Andy's funeral service will take place at 12pm on Monday the 25th of October at Ben Nevis Hotel, Fort William. No suits, come in walking gear or whatever casual wear you are comfortable with. The wake will follow the funeral service.

Details about a live stream of the funeral service will follow shortly for those who cannot attend the service in person.

A big thank you to Fort William Backpackers - https://www.facebook.com/fortwilliam (http://fortwilliambackpackers.com/) who are offering accommodation to any family or friends who are visiting Fort William for Andy's Funeral on the 24th and 25th of October. Fort William Backpackers are also providing an area for everyone to meet after the wake who want to share stories and memories of Andy.

There is no charge for the accommodation, instead could you please make a donation to MIND instead https://www.mind.org.uk/

For anyone who wants to stay in the Fort William Backpackers hostel on those dates, can they please either email
[email protected]
Or call Joanna & Sarah on 01397 700 711 and they will reserve them beds

14/10/2021

It is with great sadness that we share the news that Andy has taken his own life. Anybody who knew Andy will know he was a loving, free-spirited and caring Son, Brother, Uncle and Friend. He loved spending time in the hills, sharing those adventures and stories with others. Andy shall forever remain part of the hills. While we are still in shock and coping with Andy’s death, we don’t want Andy to be forgotten, share the tales of his stories, raise a glass for Andy, think of him next time you summit a Munro and remember the good times we all had, he may be gone but he will never be forgotten.

Mental health is something a lot of people struggle with including Andy and we feel it is only right to use this moment to mention that if you feel like you can’t cope please speak out, ask for help, talk to a friend, do not suffer in silence, you will not die because you talked about su***de, be open and honest, share how you feel, there is always someone to listen, the Samaritans are available day or night if you have nobody to talk to https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/.

Visit that friend, pick up the phone, keep an eye on loved ones, don’t take “am ok” as an answer always dig deeper, you could make a difference.

If you would like to make a donation to Support in Mind Scotland I am sure this would mean a lot to Andy given they operate in the Lochaber area.

https://www.supportinmindscotland.org.uk/donate/donate/5/credit-card

Details around funeral arrangements will follow in due course.

Please bare with us while we make arrangements for Andy’s business, at this stage we are not sure if it will continue in some capacity, he put so much love and effort into his business it would be a shame for it not to continue. If you have any enquiries about existing bookings please email [email protected]

10/10/2021

It's World Mental Health Day.
I am really happy to hear that this is raising awareness of mental health issues and encouraging people to talk more openly about their feelings and issues. I am listening and I am there ❤️ we all have our s**t to deal with and that's OK. I have had my fair share!!!
The mountains are solace so if anyone reading this needs help or just someone else to worry about not getting lost please get in touch with me. I am happy to help where I can ❤️Your not alone ❤️

10/10/2021

Rock formations are pretty incredible. When you consider that this happened under pressure probably caused by ice 1000s of years previously. We really are just a speck of sand.

08/10/2021

Who wants to go chase rainbows?
October is a fantastic time for visiting the mountains. The Stags are rutting and the autumn light and colours will give you memories to keep a lifetime.
Get in touch to plan your trip now!

08/10/2021

Who wants to go chase rainbows?
October is a fantastic time for visiting the mountains. The Stags are rutting and the autumn light and colours will give you memories to keep a lifetime.
Get in touch to plan your trip now!
Up and doon guided walks

08/10/2021

We managed to get down to the water in the Ailnack Gorge. The water was brown with peat washed from the moors from which it flows.

07/10/2021

Lisa and I had a pleasant day exploring an area of the Cairngorms I had never visited. The Ailnack Gorge near Tomintoul. It cuts a spectacular cleft through the plateau of the moors. It is the largest glacial meltwater channel in Scotland at 300ft deep, 600ft wide and 6 miles long.
We enjoyed looking in from above on the moorland.
We never saw a, soul all day and we saw loads of Red Grouse and Red Deer. The rut has started and the echoes of the roaring resonated across the moors.
A superb day out!

05/10/2021

Lisa and I haven't had much time together the last few months as I have been busy trying to get through the season. We had a nice wee break in Tomintoul. We stayed in the Richmond Hotel which was a rather nice place to stop off for a night. We will have to go back to sample more of their whisky collection! They have over 300 to try!!