A life of climbing – Alan Cassidy

Sometime before lockdown Sam Scriven met with TCA Director Alan Cassidy, to find out more about his journey into climbing.

Alan talks about growing up in Perth, climbing at Dunkeld and exploring some of Scotland’s earliest sport crags. He shares memories about his time in Edinburgh, visiting the very first indoor climbing centres to open in Scotland – and the Alien Rock friends who gave him the chance of a lifetime, to climb at the mighty Ceuse, in France, igniting a lifelong passion.

Interspersed with footage kindly shared by a number of filmmakers, Alan talks about some of his biggest climbs. You can watch the full videos of each below, including for the first time ever, footage of Alan’s ascent of the epic 55m long roof climb, Nordic Flower in 2014!

In talking about Nordic Flower, Alan mentions an accident that happened to one of his group. You can read more about Ben’s experiences on UKC.

Nordic Flower, 8c (probably!)

Never before released – rough cut. Flatanger, Norway
Filmed by Matt Hardy and James France

Metalcore 8c+

The Anvil, Scotland
Filmed by Matt Pycroft

The Force 8b

Brin Rock, Scotland
Filmed by Marcus Valente and Mike Webster

Alan is sponsored by La Sportiva and is one of TCA's BD Local Hero. For more follow our BD Local Heroes playlist on YouTube and stay tuned to our social channels. #liveclimbrepeat

While TCA remains closed, there are lots of ways you can help us weather the storm, so that we can reopen in due course and welcome back our community - who we miss desperately. Find out how you can help TCA.