AS regattas go, the Scottish Series has it all: a stunning backdrop for the racing courtesy of the dark, densely forested hillsides that surround Loch Fyne; a stretch of water blessed with consistent winds and minimal tides; and a legendary party atmosphere courtesy of the picturesque little port of Tarbert – so busy when the sailing circus comes to town that boats often have to tie up two, three and four abreast beside the pontoons.

THEY say you have to be mad to live in the Borders. Mad on rugby and mad on horses.

ONE of the best things I’ve read so far this year is Found At Sea, a new book of poems by Andrew Greig.

A SCOTTISH teacher has became the first deaf sailor to sail around the world single-handedly.

Young badgers will be making their first forays outside their homes or setts over the next few weeks, making this one of the best periods of the year to watch these fascinating animals.

Sex sells – and so, it seems, do round-number anniversaries. This month, to mark the 60th anniversary of Hillary and Tenzing’s historic first ascent of Everest on 29 May 1953, there will be celebrations all over the world, and so much money will change hands that you’ll be able to hear the cash registers ringing from here to Nepal.

THEY may be smaller than the average living room, have no toilets, power or running water, but there is a 10-year waiting list for these quirky huts on a remote Scottish beach.

AN Edinburgh chartered surveyor is set to spend two months inside an eight foot water tank on a deserted speck in the ocean to raise money for charity.

This weekend marks the start of the Scottish cycling season. Yeah, I know: technically there’s no such thing – last time I checked, bikes seemed to work just fine from September to March, and there are lots of great events going on all over the country right through the winter.

As a student in the Eighties, a friend would deploy Chris De Burgh’s Lady in Red as a central plank in his hopelessly inept wooing strategy.

With the busy Loch Lomond road, railway and Inveruglas power station to the east, more electrical works to the south, Loch Sloy to the west and pylons on three sides, the hand of man has had a detrimental impact on Ben Vorlich – or at least on its lower slopes.

WHILE some beaches in the Outer Hebrides may rival Hawaii in the scenery stakes the two are almost incomparable when it comes to weather.

Listen carefully. Can you hear that sound? A sort of half-crunch, half-squeak? That’s me grinding my teeth at the prospect of no more snowboarding this winter.