In the words of Robert Burns: An’ ye had been where I hae been/On the braes o' Killiecrankie-o.
Back in the 1980’s, I persuaded Alison to go on a hitchhiking tour of the Highlands with me. I suppose I was trying to re-create my epic lone journey round the region some fifteen years earlier. Alison bought herself a dainty wee rucksack for the trip. I already had a big one from the Army Surplus Store. Alison insisted on taking stuff she could change into at night – shoes, jeans, jerseys and so on, not to mention her hairdryer. The problem was that all the stuff wouldn’t fit into her rucksack. So, being a gentleman, I carried it in mine. My rucksack was rather heavy as a result. But it was fine once it was strapped on my back. I could even clip the straps at the front onto my belt to help distribute the load more evenly. Very cushty. Well, it was until we took the Killiecrankie Walk, an eight-mile trail through the woodlands between Pitlochry and Killiecrankie. At one point during the walk, Alison strode up a steep slope. I attempted to follow her, but halfway up the weight of my rucksack pulled me backwards and, being clipped to my belt, actually toppled me over and had me doing backward somersaults back down the slope. I think the photo was taken shortly afterwards. Note the comparative sizes of the rucksacks. Note also the bagpipe legs, which are the subject of a whole other story.
Back in the 1980’s, I persuaded Alison to go on a hitchhiking tour of the Highlands with me. I suppose I was trying to re-create my epic lone journey round the region some fifteen years earlier. Alison bought herself a dainty wee rucksack for the trip. I already had a big one from the Army Surplus Store. Alison insisted on taking stuff she could change into at night – shoes, jeans, jerseys and so on, not to mention her hairdryer. The problem was that all the stuff wouldn’t fit into her rucksack. So, being a gentleman, I carried it in mine. My rucksack was rather heavy as a result. But it was fine once it was strapped on my back. I could even clip the straps at the front onto my belt to help distribute the load more evenly. Very cushty. Well, it was until we took the Killiecrankie Walk, an eight-mile trail through the woodlands between Pitlochry and Killiecrankie. At one point during the walk, Alison strode up a steep slope. I attempted to follow her, but halfway up the weight of my rucksack pulled me backwards and, being clipped to my belt, actually toppled me over and had me doing backward somersaults back down the slope. I think the photo was taken shortly afterwards. Note the comparative sizes of the rucksacks. Note also the bagpipe legs, which are the subject of a whole other story.