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Climb Caledonia, Inverness
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Opened: 2000
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Climb Caledonia is Scotland's newest and third largest climbing wall. Housed within the modern building of the Inverness Sports Centre and Aquadome, it is only a few minutes drive from the City Centre.
The large, lead wall offers a good variety of climbing with bolt or leader placed protection options, on slab, vertical and overhanging walls. The steep, 4m overhanging wall provides an excellent shoulder work out! If climbing solo, the boulder wall will provide some good problems and traverses, with excellent friction.
As the wall is situated at the back of a large sports hall, it can at times become very noisy if other activities are taking place. Even with the heavy curtain drawn, the noise can still get on your nerves. In just a year, the kids 'Boulder Brats' club has become one of the largest in Scotland.
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Overall verdict:
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Good, modern facility for beginners and advanced climbers. Very popular with kids.
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By bus: No 1, 1a, 2a will get you there
By train: Train to Inverness City Centre, then bus
By car: The wall is situated within the Inverness Sports Centre at Bught Park off the A82, on the west side of town. It is only 1/2 mile from town and is well sign-posted.
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Address:
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Climb Caledonia, Aquadome, Bught Park, Inverness-shire, IV3 5SS.
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Tel:
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01463 667 505
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Web:
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n/a
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Wall Description:
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Bouldering
The bouldering wall at 4m high and 14m long, is made of highly featured, shaped resin panels with bolt on holds. It offers off-vertical, vertical and overhanging problems. Good problems and traverses can be had on flakes, aretes, pockets, undercuts, jam cracks and slopers. The surface is rough so friction is excellent - no excuses then for not succeeding on the many grit-like problems. The wall design and features achieve a rock-like experience, if that is possible indoors!
Easiest problem: No set problems
Hardest problem: No set problems
Classic of the crag: the traverse from left to right, or right to left on features only - good and pumpy.
Lead/top-rope walls
The 9.1m high lead and top-rope walls are made up of highly featured resin panels with bolt-on holds. There are several walls of different character (slabs, off-vertical, vertical and overhanging), offering approximately 60 routes in total on faces, aretes, steep slabs, ribs and flakes. On offer are both bolt protected and naturally protected routes. The lines with leader placed protection use specially designed features for threads, slots for wires, cams and hexes, and spikes. The steepest wall overhangs at its most by 4m, making it a good training facility.
Easiest route: f4
Hardest route: f7b+
Classic of the crag: neb on main overhanging wall.
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Opening Hours:
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Mon-Fri: 9am-10.30pm, Sat: 9am-5.30pm, Sun: 9am-9pm. (last admission 1½ hrs before closing time).
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Entry Fee:
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Adults £3.50/£2.50 peak/off peak. Concessions £1.80/£1.25. A one off registration fee of £2.
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Entry Requirements:
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Must read and sign a conditions of use form and disclaimer. Under 16's must be accompanied by an adult. 14-16 year olds can use the wall unaccompanied once approved as competent by an instructor. To gain approval, the user must be registered as a wall user and will have to undergo an introductory session. |
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Equipment Hire:
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Ropes, shoes, harness, belay plates etc all available for hire (helmets are free). |
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Other facilities on offer:
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Games machines, indoor Athletics Track, Projectile Hall, Gymnasium, Sports Hall, Café, Aquadome (competition pool, leisure pool and floating floor), numerous sports clubs and classes, Health Spa, Health Suite (sauna, steam bathb etc), beauty treatments and alternative therapy sessions. Creche/ play area facilities also available Mon-Fri between 10am and 12pm at a cost of £1.75 per hour. |
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Showers:
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Yes
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Food:
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The Sports Café within the centre overlooks the outdoor athletics track and offers proper seating, menus, plus TV and music. An extensive menu of hot & cold food and drink is on offer. Café opening hours are: Mon, Wed & Fri: 12.30pm-8.15pm; Tues & Thurs: 11am-8.15pm; Sat: 9.15am-7pm and Sun: 9.15am-6.30pm. There is also an Aquacafe for pool users.
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Kids Club:
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Boulder Brats club for 8-16 year olds. Saturday mornings and Monday evenings - 2½ hr sessions. Cost: £4 per session (price includes all gear and instruction).
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Courses/Instruction on offer:
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Beginners introduction available on Friday evenings. 2½ hr session - adult £14, children £10. Advanced lead courses available if and when required.
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Shop:
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Vending machine sells chalk balls.
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Famous names who train there:
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John Dunne once visited the wall so that makes him a regular! Winter warriors Alan Mullin and Graeme Ettle and slab expert Julian Lines have all been known to sneak a few sessions in there during the winter months, as have the many international climbing stars who paid a visit during the Foot & Mouth ban while on the International Winter Meet.
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Best Nearest Pub(s):
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Try out the Phoenix (106-110 Academy Street) for a local feel and some real ales from independant Scottish brewers.
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Best Nearest Food:
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Nearest food is within the sports centre itself. The selection is reasonable but if you want more choice, the city centre is only 1/2 mile away.
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The modern Sports Centre and Aquadome houses Climb Caledonia
Larger Picture
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