Final Farewell!

Well that is it then. After months of hiking, cycling and paddling my way around Scotland, not to mention land yachting, surfing and river tubing too, Grab a Glen is finally at an end. Battered, a little bruised, immeasurably fitter and actually an awful lot happier (must be all that great fresh air) I'm signing off today with a wee look at some of my highlights and lowlights. In truth there were no real lowlights about spending all that time getting active in Scotland.

When I started I was hoping to find something for everyone to do and I definitely did with my own family and friends of all ages joining me and proving it can be done. All you have to do is get off the sofa and get out there. I've been lucky enough to have travelled to almost 100 countries and after Grab a Glen I'm happy to say that Scotland's place as my favourite place on the planet has been thrillingly and convincingly cemented.

Best moment - Paddling into a little Atlantic cove off Barra on a sea kayak on a sky splittingly blue sunny day and chancing upon a seal, who stared at me only feet away before diving right under my kayak.

Worst Moment - Paddling into a little Atlantic cove off Barra on a sea kayak on a sky splittingly blue sunny day and chancing upon a seal, who stared at me only feet away before diving right under my kayak (he almost tipped me out!).

Scariest Moment - Going against local advice and trying to hike up a hill in Vatersay in nigh hurricane force winds. Then getting blown clean off my feet at the summit!

Fastest Moment - Riding on a mountain bike down a steep single track through Glentrool trying to make a video at the same time. Not sure how fast it really was, but it felt like Formula 1 pace. Don't try it at home!

Fastest moment - mountain biking

Slowest Moment - Practicing surfing lying down on the sands of Aberdeen's (very) public beach, while confused dogs and their equally confused owners wandered by on morning strolls.
 
Biggest Fashion Disaster - A tough one between the pink swim hat and wet suit combo for the Great Scottish Swim and the socks tucked inside the trousers look for horse riding in the Angus Glens.

Most Surprising Moment - Somehow managing to catch a wave standing up on a surfboard after a 40 minute lesson in Aberdeen.

Least Surprising Moment - Not landing a whopping Atlantic salmon after a 40 minute lesson in the River Tweed.

Most Fun Family Moment -Watching my daughter's delight at seeing the badgers inches from her face in the wildlife hide in Rothiemurchus or cycling her around Cumbrae on a gorgeously sunny day.

Most Jaw Dropping Moment - Going out on a night safari in the Highlands and then turning off the engine to hear the rutting at close quarters of the largest land mammal in the UK.

Funniest Moment - Managing twice in the same week to stride confidently out of a changing room as Mr Grab a Glen to meet a group with my wet suit on the wrong way round!

Most Relaxing Moment - Easing down the River Spey with the current in a canoe, stopping off occasionally to sample a wee local dram. Now that is what I call getting active in a very Scottish way!

Most relaxing moment - canoeing on the Spey

If you want to continue following my Scottish travels I am on Twitter @robinmckelvie or you can visit my website. But don't spend all your life online though. Now it is your turn to get out there and get active, what are you waiting for?