Backcountry survival and bushcraft

Here at GTC we get to meet all sorts of interesting people on various bushcraft courses, and while Becci was furtling around in some woods setting light to things Up North last year, she met Neil, a rather lovely bushcraft chap. He has just started a survival school up in the wilds of Scotland, providing courses that make the most of not only the amazing scenery, but also the er, challenging weather conditions that prevail up in those parts. Not only can you spend a couple of days learning the art of willow weaving, or send your family on a Dads and Lads weekend, you can also feel the joy that only sleeping in a snow hole can bring, on one of Neil's Arctic Survival courses.

Neil and his team assure us that they will provide you with a unique experience in the wild and stunning environment of the Scottish Highlands. Based near Aviemore, he provides tailored courses and packages in all sorts of wilderness survival techniques and the art of bushcraft.

Backcountry Survival is different from other bushcraft companies, as clients have the opportunity to learn skills relevant to a variety of environments – woodland, moorland, mountain, river, loch and sea. Their courses also compliment a variety of outdoor activities, as they provide key survival and navigational techniques that would benefit anyone spending time in a diverse wilderness environment – whether it be walking, climbing, skiing, cycling, paddling or camping.

Take a look at their new website, and if you fancy a trip up to Scotland we can heartily recommend them!

Visiting You-know-who in Lapland

You know us, here at GTC, nothing makes us a happy as a good strong north wind blowing down from the Arctic; throw in some snow and a couple of reindeer and we are beside ourselves with joy, so when the opportunity cropped up to pop over to Lapland and visit Father Christmas and his elves for a couple of days, I jumped at the chance.

And, yes, they do say that Christmas is about kids, so I felt morally obliged to be accompanied by a boisterous two year old and my husband. He just knew the fun was about to start when we boarded the plane and were confronted with cabin crew wearing Christmas hats, and carol song sheets carefully placed on all the seats. It was actually rather lovely; Dan did the kids' Xmas word searches like all the other Dads, while the little ones were herded up the front and had a whale of a time singing carols into the public address system. I believe all the mothers just drank gin.

We stayed at the Hotel Levitunturi, only 15 mins drive from Kitila airport in Finland; as there are only a few hours of daylight it was pitch dark when we arrived, but the whole town was picked out in fairylights and looked beautiful under a blanket of snow (although when the coach pulled up in front of a huge LED display reading -16 degrees everyone collectively sucked theer teeth and started scrabbling for mittens).

Fear not however, if you do not actually like the cold very much. On this particular break the cost of thermal suits is included, but most of the time we were in Lapland the temperature stayed around the -16 mark and I was absolutely fine in my skiing jacket, salopettes, a fleece and my trusty M and S thermals. Also a number of the activities have kota thoughtfully provided; these are lovely little wooden huts with warm woodburners and hot berry juice and biscuits so you can take shelter from the cold and these are absolutely brilliant when the wind is starting to burn your ears!

Svalbard

We love to hear from all our wonderful customers when they have safely returned home from their travels, so we were delighted to receive this fantastic picture from Dr. J.H, GTC customer and proud Tilley hat owner, freshly back from circumnavigating Svalbard in the Arctic Ocean.

We hope you had a lovely trip, and that your Tilley will serve you faithfully for years to come!