Hi Callum, glad you enjoyed the video and I'm pleased it brought back happy memories for you. Raasay is an amazing little island, so full of character and diverse of landscape. The coastline, woodlands, farmland of the south and the rugged north all combine to produce a mini version of the Scottish mainland. Just wonderful. The views from the summit of Dun Caan across the water to the Skye hills has to be one of the finest in Scotland. Thanks for viewing and commenting, very much appreciated. ATB, Dave

Yes, it’s a great spot. That’s a good effort cycling Calum’s Road. Some of those hills are pretty steep, but what a wonderful route on the bike. I enjoy watching the seals fishing and playing in the wee bays around the island. ATB, Dave and Mo

Hi Allan, I'm glad you enjoyed the wee film and hope you can make a return visit to Raasay one day. It is a grand place and worthy of exploration. Thank you for viewing and commenting, very much appreciated. ATB, Dave

@@daveoutdoorsscotland2854 ,When I said 'Simplicity' I meant that it felt more real;like one was in some way a part of your hike in that primal awsome and beautiful landscape.

@@allandavies1642 Thanks Allan

Good morning Fraser, yes, you are so right. I often feel she is more Scottish than me, especially when it comes to the quick witted replies. She is the master of the take down :). ATB, Dave

Hi Graham, good to hear from you. We’ve not been out with the cameras much this summer but do have a wee trip planned for the end of the month. Glad you enjoyed our Raasay video, it is a wonderful bothy. ATB, Dave and Mo

"Hello" :)

Good morning, Andrew. Glad you enjoyed the vid. Black Norman's Bothy is a favourite location for a night by the fire, so we were a wee bit upset to find the place in a mess. Anyhow, it didn't take long to restore order and get ourselves ensconced by the fire. The changing moods of the glens and mountains (and coastline) can be quite sobering when travelling through wild terrain, especially alone. Sometimes it is good to absorb the mood but oft times it is probably best to be empathetic and aware. Whether benign or malevolent, the mood (and your day) can change in a heartbeat. The airy tops generally offer a freedom from being hemmed in by the glens, but this can come at a cost too. I remember with clarity a multi-day traverse of a Himalayan plateau, where I slept, without tent, under an endless blanket of stars. The feeling of exposure was immense and oh, how I longed for the shelter of a glen. I reflect on the irony of a man seeking solace in empty spaces who experienced such trepidation by simply staring at the vastness of the universe. ATB, Dave, and Mo.

Good morning Harry, I might just get away with 'one word songs', especially if they don't need to be sung on key :). Raasay is a gem of an island, especially the wild and rugged north. I saw you were out camping recently too and look forward to viewing your vid. ATB, Dave

Good morning Gary, yes, I think the rock star career needs more work, or at least a guitar with more strings :). The closest I found to bothies in the USA were the open-fronted shelters dotted along the Appalachian Trail. I was also fortunate enough to be granted permission to sleep in some USDA Forest Service fire lookout towers when I was seed collecting in the mountains of Oregon and California. Great to hear from you and hope you guys are all well and looking forward to spring. Keep the blue side up, Dave and Mo

Hi Stanley, you are so right about the bothies. They are such an amazing asset to those of us who enjoy venturing to the hills, especially the few who like going out in all four seasons and any weather. I’ve enjoyed the shelter of Bob Scott’s over the years but tend it avoid it now, except perhaps during a stormy period in mid winter. Sadly, there are fair few bothies (and camping spots) I avoid these days. I’m sure you will remember how difficult it was to get into the highlands 40 years ago, by bus, bicycle or hitch hiking. The sheer effort of completing the journey to the start of the climb was enough to dissuade those who didn’t have a passion and respect for wild places. Our modern ‘fast food’, ‘disposable everything’ society has led to a misplaced sense of entitlement. Humility and respect are character traits in decline. Hmm, I’m starting to rant :). Suffice to say, I agree with your sentiment. ATB, Dave

@@daveoutdoorsscotland2854. Most definitely not a Rant Dave. Just the words of a decent man who like me appreciates the work of the MBA and the volunteers who maintain them. We should not forget the Landowners who actually own the bothies. People should not treat them like Air B and B's.

Hi Bob, that’s a good effort cycling that road. Must have been quite exhilarating. The bothy is in pretty good condition now although I’ve noticed the roof has suffered a wee bit with the frequent winter storms. Glad you enjoyed the vid and the memories it brought back. Hope you’re still able to get out and about on easier terrain. ATB, Dave

Hi David, yes, it was disappointing to find a mess, but easy enough to clean up. Leaving the door open was a concern though as animals can do tremendous damage. It is not an easy bothy to get to and you would expect visitors to show respect for such places. Mo and I camped on Skye (in very wet and windy conditions) on the way 'up the road' but made it 'down the road' in a long haul from the bothy, stopping off at House of Bruar for fish and chips. Glad you enjoyed the vid; I kept it shorter this time as we've filmed on Raasay several times now. ATB, Dave

Great video, I don’t know where Adele normally stays but I bet I would prefer that bothy!

@@Jennifer.4 Hi Jennifer, glad you enjoyed the vid. Yes, the bothy is hard to beat. It is in such a grand location and affords warmth and shelter on the wildest of nights. No need for fame nor fortune; just a bag of coal and a spirit of adventure. ATB, Dave

Been to Ramsay many years ago ,great place , great video as usual, and I’m glad you had Mo with you to do the walk back for the camera 😂

@@hazetheherd2214 I’m not that good of a hiking buddy 🤣

Good morning Alaya, glad you enjoyed the wee video. Yes, Raasay is a beautiful island. The north of the island is wild and rugged with a distinctly elemental landscape of rock, water and coarse vegetation. The wee bothy is full of character and strength, shrugging off the frequent storms that batter this area. It is sad that some people fail to show this little building due respect. It was easy enough to tidy up though and there was no sign of malicious damage, just some thoughtlessness. ATB, Dave

Good morning Martin. Hah, the infamous singing career. Mo thinks I should put it on 'Mute' :). It was great to organise a simple trip, with no mechanical devices to break. We bivvy camped on Skye on the way up the road, in the wind and rain. And, with the exception of the coal and logs, kept it fairly lightweight for the bothy too. It was good not to have a mountain of wet and dirty gear to sort through once we got home.Take care too. ATB, Dave and Mo

Thanks Owen, glad you enjoyed it. ATB, Dave and Mo

Hi John, we park at Arnish and hike the obvious track to Torran, then up through the trees to the track junction SW of Beinn na h-lolaire. Follow the track right, up and over towards the shielings at Umachan. then head north then NNW, past more shielings and a ruin, passing to the east of Lochan gun Ghrunnd. This track, which can be difficult to follow in places, was also built by 'Calum". We have also hiked the coast and also up and over the hill on a north-westerly bearing, passing the trig point and continuing onwards, but care is required when descending the northern slopes. The track follows a good line through the rough terrain but has deteriorated significantly in recent years. ATB, Dave