Hill Talk July 2007 - C~N~Do Scotland Newsletter
Hi Folks
Day Walks
Our day walk programme for July to December has now been finalised. Our website is currently being updated with the new information but if you are in a hurry there is a PDF of the paper leaflet available for download. Paper copies are being printed and will of course be sent out to recipients on our mailing list within the next few weeks.
Going Green – “Bus Walks”
If you study the day walk programme carefully you will notice that we are introducing walks that utilise public transport instead of mini-buses. As an organisation we have always been committed to minimising our environmental impact as much as is practically possible and this is yet another of the small steps we can take. We've opted for bus travel as it also has the added bonus of being free for those of you over 60 and resident in Scotland! We hope that you will give these walks your full support.
Environmental Tip of the Month
Reduce paper usage by using the blank side of single sided paper. Try printing 2 pages per 1 side, fine if your eyes can cope with the smaller print. Use the back of paper (including junk mail) for taking down telephone messages or using in a printer. Once both sides of the paper have been used it can then go in the recycling bin. Not only does this simple tip save trees and resources but it also saves you money! Even better, persuade your employer to adopt this as a company policy?
CNDo / NTS Carbon Conservation Scheme
The carbon conservation scheme is up and running and so far you have raised over £300 towards the NTS Arran Peat Project. The website provides more info about why peat restoration is the way Scotland should go.
One-Day Courses
For those who can't spare a complete weekend, why not look at our programme of one day courses. On September 16th we are running an Introduction to GPS Navigation which is ideal for new users of GPS units. Also available in the Autumn are short Night Navigation courses. These are evening sessions designed to give you experience of navigating in open/hilly countryside in the dark.
Nordic Walking
A new venture for us is Nordic Walking. We are running some beginner sessions in a range of locations – Stirling, Aberfoyle, Glasgow and Edinburgh. They are friendly, fun, can get you fit and include use of Nordic Walking poles. So you can try it out before contemplating buying any kit. (C-N-Do are also now stockists of EXEL Nordic Walking poles. If you do want to buy your own pair, we will offer you a 10% discount if you have been on any of our holidays or courses).
Orkney
If you thought you couldn't afford our Orkney holiday, think again. Due to circumstances beyond our control we have had to change the accommodation on the 7 – 14th August departure to be hostel based. We are now able to offer this holiday with 7 night's hostel accommodation inclusive of continental breakfast for just £589 per person.
Highland New Year
Once again our renowned Highland New Year walking holiday will be based at the purpose built luxury private hostel near the Trossachs village of Callander. Lochs and forests, Trossachs hills and Perthshire mountains, lands where eagle and stag roam, are all waiting to be explored. All meals are masterminded by C~N~Do with an emphasis on fresh local produce and exceptional home cooking. There is even the chance to take part in a Hogmanay Ceilidh. This year's dates 29th December – 3rd January. Price £459 for 5 nights full board accommodation.
Early Booking
Early booking is often essential on our holidays. This is especially true on holidays which include an element of hotel or guest house accommodation. On these holidays, the accommodation providers expect us to release unsold rooms back to them well in advance of the actual holiday date (often as early as 8 weeks). It is very frustrating for us to have to turn people away when although we have a space on the holiday for them, we no longer have any accommodation available. Even on hostel based holidays we have to release unused beds a few weeks before departure and there is no guarantee that we can rebook them again once released. So don’t miss out – get your booking in now. To provide a small incentive for you to do so, we have extended our early booking discount – check out our website for full details of what is on offer and how to take advantage of it.
Adventure Activities Licence
CNDo have had an Adventure Activities Licensing Authority licence since they came into force in 1997. This is essential to work with unaccompanied under 18 year olds. The Licensing regime includes robust & periodic inspections and monitoring of our outdoor safety management systems. Even though we don’t work with a lot if youngsters, we have never wanted to exclude them. Our safety management is the same whether we have under 18s or over 18s and it is good (for us and for you) to be scrutinised externally. At our recent inspection, we were given a 3 year licence.
And Finally
If you have any special requests for next year or would just like us to run a particular holiday on a particular date, get in touch now.
Enjoy yourselves wherever you go.
Team CNDo
