Published in Scotland Magazine Issue 10 on 5/9/2003.

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Go jump off a cliff

FOR AN AMAZING ADRENALINE BUZZ, CLIFF-JUMPING TAKES SOME BEATING – AS LOUISE GILBERT FOUND OUT

Standing on the edge of a 60-foot cliff, a group of daring Scots are preparing to face their fears. Dressed in full-length black wetsuits, they resemble something out of a James Bond movie.

In fact, today’s activity looks a lot like a stunt from an action movie. Canyoning and cliffjumping are extreme sports that anyone (with enough nerve) can experience in the stunning gorges around Scotland.

Not the place you would imagine for such radical activity?

On the contrary, Soldier’s Leap, a site on the River Garry in Perthshire, is named in memory of Donald MacBean.

Legend says that in the 1689 Battle of Killiecrankie, MacBean escaped the pursuing Jacobites by taking a 19-foot leap across the gorge. Today, we’re in the Struan Gorge and there aren’t any bloodthirsty Highlanders in pursuit of our team but nevertheless, these men plan to leap all the same.

According to Steve Thomas, activities manager of Freespirits, it’s the ‘fear factor’ that drives people to try this sport.

“It has its own unique enjoyment,” he says.

In pursuit of a heart-thumping adrenaline rush, 15 individuals are now in the hands of instructor, Ross. He introduces himself in a raspy Connerylike voice:

“Call me Ross. Ross Dangerous,” he says, then explains the plan of attack for the day. The group will first be lowered to the bottom of the gorge,where they will canyon over rocks and waterfalls , then move down stream for a spot of cliff-jumping.

Ross lingers over various safety elements and the partic.....

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By Louise Gilbert

Section : Outdoor Scotland

Page number : 32