While Scotland is not renowned for world class resort skiing and snowboarding there are plenty of opportunities to access the hills when it does snow. The 2003 Land Reform Act allows responsible access for travel, recreation and education on most land and inland water for non motorised activities. A key element of this is ‘responsible’ access but ultimately allows ski and snowboard tourers a chance to get out all over Scotland when the conditions allow.
It was weird to be heading south from Glasgow for my first ski tour of the winter, but the highest villages in Scotland of Leadhills and Wanlockhead in Dumfries & Galloway are just over an hour away and had snow down to the road. A pick up in Motherwell on the way and head torches on to get up to the distinctive Air Traffic Control Radar on Lowther Hill.
Lowther Hills Ski Club is Scotland’s only community run facility which operates ropes tows on the Leadhills Golf Course and up on Lowther Hill weather permitting. They aim to operate 20 days a year and it is run entirely by volunteers who maintain the equipment, run the ski tows and organise work parties. Family membership is only £75 too.
With 3 photographers in the group there was much faffing around getting images at the top and this was to be my downfall as my head torch’s battery and replacement gave up just before descending… made for an interesting trip back to the village!