About Marmotte and about me...

The website has been built up from my collection of notes, diaries and photos covering various trips both at home in Scotland and abroad. The name, Marmotte, came about following a holiday in the French Alps when myself and some friends decided that we needed a group name. In Chamonix, we found such a proliferation of fluffy marmottes on sale in the shops and a few real ones out in the hills too, that marmotte was the name we chose. I think the choice of name also had something to do with the way in which marmottes behave - they live in cosy burrows, only venture out when the sun comes out and then they just stretch, bask in the warmth of the sun and relax! We identified with that!

Since that first trip to the Alps when I managed little more than a trip in the cable car up to the Aiguille du Midi and a train journey to Montenvers to look at the Mer de Glace,, I have been back many times to France, visited Switzerland often and travelled and climbed in Nepal. I moved from Edinburgh to Aviemore to be closer to the mountains then worked towards and gained the Summer, Winter and International Mountain Leader qualifications and Single Pitch Award. I've just done the training for the Mountaineering Instructor Award so working towards that. As an International Mountain Leader, I am a member of the British Association of International Mountain Leaders of which more information is available by clicking on this link BAIML.

I work mainly with Talisman Mountaineering Activities leading groups and helping out with the bits and pieces in the background hence the various links to the Talisman website. I also work as a freelance leader for various different outdoor groups.

Hillwalking, navigation, winter skills courses and trips into the hills and mountains of Scotland can also be organised by contacting me by e-mail using the "contact me" link alongside this page.  Trips and courses can also be arranged for women only groups too.

Ron of Talisman Mountaineering has helped by creating the templates for this website and doing all the technical bits and by so often being the instigator of so many of our mountain escapades!

Member of BAIML - the British Association of International Mountain Leaders