Cairnwell

Scottish Open sitting on top of the Cairnwell with Angie Theodarakis, Peter Rutherford, Len Hull (With the prototype Airwave Kiss) and a few others. The wind was on the north east face and they had set an ambitious task. A 14 mile cross wind leg to a turn point…Then Open XC……Oh yeah no bother then, just 14 miles across the mountains then start your distance….Some chance.
It was one of those days when you wanted to fly, but for some reason you weren’t keen to get in the air. Knowing how rough Scotland can be especially with a northerly air stream your brain was saying “Don’t do it”
A lot of pilots had left having various results but the sky was looking pretty good and by Scottish standards unbelievable. Len Hull had took off earlier and wasn’t having the best of it. Peter, Angie and I took off close together and as soon as you were in the air you knew you were in for something different. It wasn’t dangerous just big strong whopping bastard Scottish thermals with kilts on. By the time we got to the bottom of the valley above the Spittal Hotel we were at 6 grand with the Cairngorms spread out below us, it was mind blowing. About 8 miles into the flight I saw Angie and Len Hull stuck on a ridge far below….Losers. The flight continued to the turn point which was a hotel. You had to get the letter “T” that was behind the building on the lawn. If I said I was 30 feet above the chimney when I got the letter I would be lying. I could have saved Santa time dropping his presents at the same time.
I landed very soon after in the field with a few other hang glider pilots. As I was de-rigging Peter Rutherford walked up to me and surprised me very much he had made it this far…..Have you been getting the bus with your glider again Rutherford? The boy had done well. Just as we were congratulating each other Angie went over our head at what must have been 7000 feet. He was mega high and did very well on the day. Scotland is a fantastic place to fly when you get the weather.
Just a few memories as I don’t want to bore you all to death. I hope you enjoyed.