As we write this in 2010, climbing breeches are just about history with very few mountain folk using them. Full leg length,stretchy or fleecy materials are now the norm and it’s quite hard to define when the ‘breeches’ era began and indeed what prompted it, as early pioneers wore full leg length trousers of various descriptions, pretty much up to the 1950’s when breeches became the order of the day. They came in all kinds of varieties and this well worn, cosy and well travelled pair once belonged to Robin Campbell, a long time stalwart of the Scottish Mountaineering Club and one of Scotland’s more knowledgeable mountain historians. This pair probably date from the 1970’s and were retailed by Graham Tiso – the Edinburgh based outdoor shop.