We will have a stand at the Aboyne Highland Games this Saturday featuring

our Hilltrek Ventile and Cotton Analogy Ranges  and Páramo.

On production of your games catalogue, you will receive 10% off normal retail prices on Games Day.

For more on the Aboyne Highland Games see their  website.

We are sponsoring the Aboyne Academy and Primary School cross country series which is part of the Active Schools program. 

The series consists of 4 races held on 15th November, 6th December, 17th January and 28th February for primary 4 to 7 and seconday 1 to 6.

Active Schools is a key element in the Scottish Government’s drive to get more Scots more active.

The fundamental aim of the Active Schools Network is to offer school-aged children the motivation and opportunities to adopt active and healthy lifestyles. These opportunities are available before, during and after school, as well as in the wider community. But Active Schools is more than just getting school-aged children to take part in formal sport and exercise. Active Schools also aims to introduce more physical activity into their daily lives through active travel, play and dance. As such, the physical activity and sport element of Active Schools links closely with a number of other key government initiatives- Health Promoting Schools and Safer Routes to Schools, to name just two- and is supported by a broad range of partners.

Active Schools also impacts on a number of other key policies and initiatives, such as the Curriculum for Excellence, which has an important role to play in promoting the health and well being of children and young people and all of those in the educational communities to which they belong.

For more information see the Active Schools website.

The busiest I have ever seen The Rest and Be Thankful on the Fungle this morning.  The Aberdeen Rambers branch of the Ramblers Association were out for a walk from Aboyne to Dinnet. I call this walk the Roof of Mid Deeside walk.

There is a strong connection between the local landscape and music.  Camerson McNeish writes about this in a post entitled, Mixing hills with music.  Tarland fiddler, Paul Anderson named his latest music collection the, Lochnagar Collection and many a traditional Scot’s song has a romantic connection with the land, listen to the words of Bonnie Glenshee for example.  If you are out or visiting the Deeside hills over the next couple of months, then why not relax or join in a Deeside Session at a local bar?

Heriott Watt fashion technology student Alison has recently completed a year’s work placement at Hilltrek.  Here’s what she has to say about her experience:

“To gain necessary hands-on experience within the technical clothing industry, I was placed by my university in Hilltrek’s Clachan Yell workshops.  Aboyne might not be the most obvious hub of technical clothing innovation, but it was there I cut my teeth gaining practical knowledge of new fabrics and cutting patterns, developed my sewing skills, and – as well as manufacturing garments - worked on a diverse spectrum of repairs which came into the workshop. I doubt any big brand companies would have been able to provide as varied an experience; one day I’d be repairing tents and flysheets, the next adjusting school bags and motor biking gear!  The team at Clachan Yell also involved me in the cutting stage of many of Hilltrek’s garments, which allowed me to become more experienced with an array of popularly stocked fabrics.  I picked up various new techniques involved at the preliminary stages of garment design, and, as well as familiarizing myself with Hilltrek’s patterns, I even helped to produce new ones:  see the Kintail Ventile shirt http://www.hillgear.com/acatalog/Kintail_Ventile.html for an example of my work!

I would like to say a big thank you to everyone at Hilltrek who helped me throughout the year; from my experience at the Clachan Yell workshops I gained indispensable knowledge and vastly improved my skills and confidence in garment manufacture.”

Looking ahead to the summer months, this years Active Aboyne will be held from Saturday 11th September to Sunday 26th September.  The full programme is yet to be published but watch the site for the mix of walks, bushcraft, other outdoor pursuits and not forgetting the social activities put on.  The special guest this year is Karen Drake.  A true adventurer and sought after speaker.