The two Ians, Sutherland and Sykes, set up a wee climbing shop in Fort William, Scotland, in 1969, it was a success for many years and grew until there were over a dozen different outlets throughout the UK, their original ‘Nevisport’ trade name still exists in 2025 albeit under different ownership.

Ian (Sudsy) and Ian (Spike) came up with lots of innovative ideas during their ownership and these gaiters were one of them, they were designed to fit over the whole boot with the cord around the bottom biting into the welt of the boot to hold them in place, a good idea though it was very hard to get the cord tight enough and tie a knot to hold it in place, the negative result was that the gaiters often flipped off after a while.

This, unused, pair were kindly donated by our old friend George Maurice, a man of many parts and now, unfortunately, no longer with us.

Orion was the wholesale department of Nevisport, named after the Orion Face of Ben Nevis which in turn took its name from the constellation of stars.