Theres a wonderful archive of images at www.scran.ac.uk, just type in ski. They've even got photo's of the Glencoe tow being built in 1955.

Attachments: 1939 edinburgh uni ski club.jpg (6kB)   02497914.jpg (4kB)  

sorry about the small images: seems the bigger ones are all copyright (I've access via my university account) so I can't post them. Worth a look anyway.

Who knew there was an indoor dry slope in Glasgow?

Andrew

Folks

Craige Column says yes. I've written a few paragraphs below. Feedback welcome on facts etc.
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Whenever it snows, there’s always one set of sports people who welcome the arrival of the flakes. Skiers, and more recently, snowboarders, have been riding Scottish ski tows for many years. Indeed this winter season is the 50th anniversary of the first ski tow operating in Scotland. To celebrate this, and to recall the excitement of slipping and sliding around, a group of winter sports enthusiasts are appealing for memories and photographs.

They are building the Scottish Wintersports Archive at the popular Winterhighland.com web site. They have rare colour pictures of the first ski tow at Glencoe in 1956. Others have shared memories of ski schools, such as Cairdsport of Glen Shee, and even a red London bus trying to climb the mountain road to Cairngorm. The group would welcome not just memories of Glen Shee or Cairngorm but of the early days too. Back then enterprising ski clubs set up tractor tows in farmers’ fields. So, if you have pictures or memories do visit the Archive which can be found at www.winterhighland.com/forums

[athens.scran.ac.uk]

Awesome!

Glad you liked Scran Tim. I asked them for permission to post larger pics, but sadly they dont own the copyright so can't let me.

Some amazing images covering the whole history of Scotland.

Andrew

Folks

Craige Column accepted the piece. Will run it next time their is a snow event.

Small point... Main basin tow was scotlands first permanent ski tow.
Before that other portbale ones were situated on Ben Lawyers / Glenshee etc

I first skied at Cairngorm at Easter 1978 - loads of snow, one thing that sticks in my mind is the event that was held adjacent to the mid station which featured 'hot dogging', ski ballet and various experts going straight down the moguls on the white lady. Sorry but I haven't any photos. It may have been sponsored by Volvo but I'm not sure.

Second time was Easter 1979, again loads of snow, on both of these holidays lessons were being given below the lower car park at coire cas.

Good project and not before time. The folk who had a hand in the events of the early days are beginning to depart the earthly ski slopes.

Anyone know the whereabouts of one Derek Brightman? He had a hand in setting up sking at Glenshee (has some very entertaining stories of blasting rocks!), was partner with Sandy Caird of Cairdsports and whose BASI number is 1.

Also I am sure the Fuchs family (as far as I know are still living near Carrbridge) will have a great deal of information. I believe it was Karl Fuchs, he died many years ago, who set up and ran the Carrbridge Ski School.

Hello John N.C,

I found your message on a random google search, I know the wereabouts of one Derek Brightman, We are having a BBQ together in an hour!!! he's my next door neighbour in Bozel, France. Your right he has lots of interesting stories of wich i never get bored of listening too, and am trying to convince him to write a book. I have asked his permission to reply to you, he doesn't recognise the name, feel free to contact me direct via email and we will clear it all up.

Lee Townend
B.A.S.I number 8877 !!! (not 1)
number 2 adopted son to the great D.B

Attachments: lunch in italy post.JPG (434kB)