walkhighlands

Tick Tock its that time of year again

With winter hardly gone from the mountains, mountain safety experts are advising walkers and climbers: “Tick the Munros – just don’t let the Munros tick you!”

Tick (photo: MCofS)

Tick (photo: MCofS)


Those perennial pests of the Scottish hills and countryside are back.

And while the physical and mental health benefits of hill walking are well known, walkers should still be aware of an almost invisible danger. Ticks are small arthropods (related to spiders and scorpions) and are common in vegetated areas in the Scottish hills. They are particularly suited to mild damp climates and therefore thrive on the west coast mountain regions of Scotland. Aside from being a nuisance, ticks carry diseases, including Lyme disease which can be extremely serious if not diagnosed early.

Heather Morning the Mountain Safety Advisor with The Mountaineering Council of Scotland is advising hill-goers to check themselves carefully after a day on the hill to ensure they haven’t picked up any unwanted guests.
For even after the cold and snowy spring time of 2016, the wee beasties seem to be out in force.

Heather said: “Last weekend we were climbing at Duntelchaig, near Loch Ness. At home later, we noticed several ticks on our feet and since then have found several latched onto our bodies even though we had checked ourselves when we got home. The dog didn’t escape either; we have been removing ticks from her for several days now.”

Heather recommends that hill walkers are vigilant and take some simple precautions such as tucking trousers into socks or wearing gaiters when on the hill. It’s also well worth taking a good look at yourself when you return home to spot the ticks before they latch on. She said: “From experience, they seem to appear even a few days later. If you find one attached to you, remove with a tick hook. If in doubt seek advice from your doctor.”

If you’ve never had a tick, check out this six-minute video clip from the MCofS to see what they look like and how to safely remove them.

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You should always carry a backup means of navigation and not rely on a single phone, app or map. Walking can be dangerous and is done entirely at your own risk. Information is provided free of charge; it is every walker's responsibility to check it and to navigate safely.