Steve
“Balham”
I was given my nickname while living in south London in the 1980s. Its origins are the same as Ian’s.
I played tennis and hockey as a kid. Although tennis went by the board after age 18 I carried on with hockey for another 10 years, peaking in a Scottish Cup semi-final appearance in 1978.
I took up road running in 1985 with the Serpentine Running Club in London and completed the London Marathon in 1990 in 3 hours 53 minutes. Having always thought of myself as a sprinter, I was chuffed with this.
I haven’t done any running since 2015 after a bit of knee trouble, but managed to use the base fitness to complete the Lairig Ghru with a friend in 2014. Prior to lockdown I was walking a fairly consistent 10k+ steps a day, but that is now irregular.
Apart from that I’ve climbed 1 Munro about 10 years ago with my son, and maybe another couple as a kid with the family. This summer in the Isle of Skye with my kids I tackled a Munro. They completed it.
I met Stuart in London in 1979. I particularly remember his wedding and the photographs.
Listen to Steve’s interview with Surrey Hills Radio.
Steve’s Walks
Almost Jock’s Road
The final long training day before the actual Hike – 15 miles across the Cairgorms down Jock’s Road. Well, that was the original plan, but Storm Arwen had wreaked havoc on the forests making our original route impassable.
Read more>
Lomond Circuit
In the second outing of the weekend, four Brothers returned to the Paps of Fife, where Steve performed the ritual of “Kissing the Nipple”.
Read more>
Loch Brandy Revisited
The first of three hikes over the Bank Holiday weekend was a visit to Loch Brandy. The first time for two of us, for others a reacquaintance. Perhaps not a total success, but a good test of climbing endurance.
Read more>
Glen Turret
Three Brothers headed west to Glen Turret, location of the oldest distillery in Scotland. There was no time for tasting though, with a number of summits to conquer, and the inevitable U-turn.
Read more>
The Magnificent Seven
Seven Brothers assembled for a longer training hike from Tullybaccart. They covered a good distance, but again things didn’t go to plan.
Read more>
Mount Keen (The Grand Old Duke of York March)
A return to Mount Keen for Ian and Grant – this time accompanied by Doug and Steve – but without the pecorino cheese.
Read more>
The Bomber (and the discovery of Doug’s eBoots)
Four Brothers ascend past Loch Brandy to the crash site of a wartime Wellington bomber, and Doug discovers eBoots on the descent.
Read more>
ABC with STV
STV filmed the Brothers as they went for their third training hike in four days, to Auchterhouse, Balkello and Craigowl (ABC).
Read more>
Brothers go to Dunsinane
For the second hike in three days, three of the Brothers head off to climb Dunsinane (including the hill fort) and King’s Seat.
Read more>
Bigfoot in the Sidlaws?
A cold and misty hike in the Sidlaws gave us the opportunity to test out some tech. But were there other creatures around?
Read more>
Ben Vrackie Circular
Garry, Ian and Steve set off on a training hike to climb Ben Vrackie, preceded by a photo shoot by The Courier. But the weather is poor…
Read more>
A First for Some
Some Dundee based Brothers and Derek went for a training hike in the Sidlaws – a first outing for some. Did they all manage it?
Read more>
Kinpurnie
Ian and Steve went to Kinpurnie for this week’s training hike, as high winds forced a change to their original plans.
Read more>
Paps of Fife
Ian, Grant and Steve head to the Paps of Fife for the first training hike of the year. The photos don’t tell the full story.
Read more>