E2 includes a weekend of activities at Firbush Point Field Centre on the shore of Loch Tay.
Schedule
Friday 7th April 2017: free time, then travel to Firbush
Forbush has up to 24 places available for us. All ESRs will go (11 places are reserved for them), and Simon King (+1 guest) will go as group leader. The remaining 11 places are available to Edinburgh MSc and PhD students (who should register interest with Simon).
9.00-16.00 Free time – explore Edinburgh
16.00 Coach transfer to Firbush (approx. 2 hour coach journey). Meet at entrance of Informatics Forum and please be punctual.
Saturday 8th April 2017: activities at Firbush
Various activities available, depending on your personal preferences.
Sunday 9th April 2017: activities at Firbush, then return to Edinburgh
The coach will leave Firbush late afternoon, returning us to Edinburgh around 19.30, so you will very probably need to stay that night in Edinburgh, before travelling home on the Monday.
Activities available
Firbush generally offers the following activities at the beginning of April: canoeing, kayaking, mountainbiking, hillwalking, orienteering, and cross country skiing if there is still snow. Activities depend on the weather (e.g., if it is warm enough,they may bring out a few sailing boats and windsurfs).
Their instructors are very used to coping with wide ranging abilities/fitness levels so there is no need for anyone to have any anxieties: there is something for everyone.
What to bring
- This document tells you What to bring and what to expect
- Print, and fill in this Declaration Form, and bring it with you to Firbush.
- You should generally have your own travel insurance. For the trip to Firbush, we will also take out basic insurance, as described in this document (you don’t need to complete this: we will do it for the whole group).
- All meals are provided. However, there is no shop at Firbush, so if there is some essential item you need (e.g., chocolate!) then bring your own supply.
Accommodation
Shared single-sex rooms, with 4 beds each. There is also a lecture room, which is available whenever we wish to use it. See the Firbush Point website for more details about the facilities. A bar is available, but you must not bring your own alcohol to the centre.
Live webcam
Weather
What will the weather be like, you ask? It’s Scotland. In April. Anything is possible. Come prepared for beautiful sunshine, wind, snow, and rain. Quite possibly all at the same time. The temperature will probably be between 5°C and 10°C down near the loch, but likely to be well below freezing on the mountain summits, and feeling even colder in the wind.
Bring layered clothing, including gloves, hats and waterproof jacket. If you have thermal underwear, bring that. And some sunblock (yes, really). Read the “What to bring and what to expect” document above (provided by Firbush) for full details.
There is no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing
attributed to Alfred Wainwright amongst others.