In the 80s there were many new routes books throughout the UK. They recorded a lot of climbing history, a few can be viewed at rockarchivist.co.uk .

Recording of routes was often done soon after the events (sometimes the same day) so these books were considered good sources of up to date information, they had been held by many grubby hands. I was told that for University John Redhead did a study of how long after people went into Pete’s Eats they wrote up their routes!

The Nevisport books in Fort William were mostly for nearby Glen Nevis but also covered climbs from the Outer Hebrides, Skye, Creag Dubh and the rest, even a few central belt routes. Winter climbs on Ben Nevis, Creag Meagaidh and others were written up. Many routes (especially short ones) were never sent in for the SMC Journal, I’ve noticed a few routes that never made it into the guidebooks. Andy MacDonald has kept these books and let me borrow and copy them, unfortunately an earlier book has gone missing.

I didn’t remember that The Scoop was named ‘The Depression’.

When Dave Cuthbertson placed a couple of bolts on the Buachaille there was a comment ‘naughty naughty’, I’m sure he would have been given a hard time if he had placed them when scottishclimbs.com was active.

I should point out that Gertrude was led, named and written up by George not me. Below is George on FA of Ex-Lax, I went into a chemist in Fort William High Street to check the spelling before he wrote it up!

Books are here Nevisport I think the photos are clearer in slideshow, this can be paused.

Thanks to Andy MacDonald, Andy Nisbet and Marianne Brooks.