Tiso's resident blogger Laura Brown heads to the Edinburgh International Climbing Arena for a start up session. Can she overcome her fear of falling off the wall?

Okay, I confess. When Tiso Ratho manager Pauline signed me up for a beginners’ climbing course – all in the name of blogging – my first feeling was fear. Having had a taste of abseiling when I was a teen (and hating it) I wasn’t too keen to replicate the lowering-myself-to-the-ground-backwards experience. So when I turned up on Tuesday night at EICA, wrapped up in all varieties of layers for protection against the cold, I have to admit it – I was nervous.

Luckily our instructor Ilona put us at ease. There were five in our group: two ladies who were giving climbing a go for the first time, and an English couple touring Scotland. I joined on the end as the token lone person, and then the learning began.

As we stood within the stunning setting of the EICA – the largest indoor climbing wall in Europe – Ilona began our 3 hour session with the basics: harnesses. She showed us how to step properly into the apparatus, and highlighted the two loops which the rope went through. Then, we practiced figure-eight and stopper knots (the EICA is obliged to make sure all climbers use the figure-eight knot in the arena).

The five of us then moved towards the wall. Once comfortable with belaying (letting your partner slowly down off the wall using a belay device to create friction on the rope) we were ready to climb.

Each climb is colour-coded and you can choose to commit to one colour for a more challenging climb. Obviously – as total novices – we started on the kiddies’ wall with palm tree and sea creature climbing features for company.

I have to admit, my first climb made my heart race. It was more the sensation of looking down – and knowing that I had to let myself fall off the wall – which was terrifying. And my metaphorical life was in my partner’s hands! (I say metaphorical because I was only a few metres up). Ilona encouraged us, checking our knots and belaying technique, and after a few attempts I began to feel more confident.

The next step was using the auto-belay, a large seatbelt-style device which allows you to climb solo up a vertical wall. The climbs here were tricky – the black route was pretty simple with lots of foot and hand holds, but the green route was near impossible. Regardless of how far us amateurs managed to get up the wall, the best bit was just abandoning your body to gravity… and falling towards the crash mats.

We’d learnt the basics: we could now confidently fit our harnesses, ensure we were tied to the wall, and belay our partners back down. I could even climb independently using the auto-belay devices. Ilona’s last challenge for us was a bit of bouldering. These are generally smaller climbs which are performed without the use of harnesses or ropes.

And thank goodness for the fantastic EICA facilities: we could give bouldering a whirl in the dedicated, warm room behind the arena! This was an ideal way for us to concentrate more on the manoeuvres of our climbing, rather than worrying about belaying or harnesses. We even got to watch Ilona scaling the slanted wall, using just her fingers to grasp holds. It might sound bizarre, but it was beautiful to watch: the fluid movements, the proximity to the rock and the thought of what climbing might look like out in true wilderness.

And that was the three hours over in a flash. After completing a quick form that was it: I was officially registered as a climber with EICA! I could now guide two novices on the climbing walls, without the need for an accompanying instructor.

But it was more than that for me. Having being terrified of abseiling for years, I was finally able to enjoy falling off the wall into the safe hands of my partner (or the auto-belay). And I also got a hit from challenging my body, pushing myself out of my comfort zone. Although I love walking and cycling, there’s a rush you get from climbing that’s different from anything else. It’s that gravity-defying return to a more primitive form of movement that is so inspiring. I can’t wait to climb again.

Find out more about EICA's start up session and taster courses by clicking here. You can also drop in and see us at the Tiso Ratho store, located within the arena building.