Indoor Ice, Rock And Gore-Tex For Scotland

Good news for Scottish climbers who are set to get not just one, but two major indoor climbing facilities by the end of the year, both of which will be sponsored by Gore-Tex fabrics.

The first is the new Adventure Centre Ratho, near Edinburgh, which we told you about just a couple of weeks back - see this article for more details and scoop pics of the extraordinary covered quarry climbing wall arena - below.

The second is the Ice Factor in Kinlochleven which is scheduled to open at New Year and will be the largest indoor ice climbing facility in the world with 18-metre high ice walls to allow year-round waterfall ice cragging. Again we told you more about the Ice Factor a few weeks back - see this article.

Gore's involvement means that staff at both centres will be decked out in the latest Gore-Tex XCR and Windstopper togs and wearing Gore-lined footwear, which should come in handy if the roof starts leaking.

The ice wall at Kinlochleven will also be known as the 'Gore-Tex Ice Wall' while staff at the outdoors mountian bike trail at Ratho will be provided with Gore BikeWear to keep the Scottish weather out.

Gore's Jonathan Burnell says: 'We are very excited by our association with these two fantastic venues, both of which promise to push the boundaries of indoor climbing, not only in the UK but in the world.'

OM editor Jon Doran commented: 'Time to move to Scotland, I reckon... I wonder if Gore would like to pay my relocation expenses. I'd be happy to rename my house 'Gore Towers' and wear Gore-Tex clothing at all times.'