walkhighlands

Beavers to be released in Cairngorms National Park

NatureScot has today approved a licence application from the Cairngorms National Park Authority to release up to six beaver families at agreed sites in the upper River Spey catchment. The decision will help increase the current range of beavers in Scotland, as set out as a priority in Scotland’s Beaver Strategy 2022-2045. The approval marks the fifth catchment to which beavers have either been officially granted permission to remain or have been released. Populations are already established in Tayside, on the Forth, in Knapdale and Loch Lomond. The application from the Park Authority was assessed by NatureScot in line with

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Posted in Magazine, News

Spectacular Glencoe and a Canine Companion Remembered

The results are in for November’s Highlander trip report of the month competition: “The first proper winter snows provided some fabulous trip reports and we’ve also been enjoying the last of the autumn colours on some of your lower level outings. For November the £100 Highlander prize voucher goes to johnbythell for Spectacular day above Glencoe Mountain Resort – a fab wee taster of winter to come with just a dusting of snow to set off the mountains. The £50 runner up is Collaciotach for An Cù. Tha na laithean a’ dol Seachad… the days flash past – a wonderful photo tribute to a

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Posted in Magazine, News

Brown Hares – My Companion Animals

I’ve had my trail camera out at home recently. Now it’s getting colder, I’ve been investigating what creatures are milling about outside the house, in search of warmth or food. Last winter there were various rodents and shrews sneaking under the porch door, so I rather expected to see something similar this time. Maybe a red squirrel foraging nearby. Tawny owls on the fence posts. Or, given they have left conspicuous scat on the road, pine martens. But no. After the first night, I looked through the new videos and they all showed one of two brown hares, nibbling grass

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Posted in Features, Magazine, Nature

Conservation and community groups demand review of phone mast programme

A coalition of community, conservation and outdoor recreation groups has written to the UK Government asking it to review its rollout of the Shared Rural Network programme to prevent causing unnecessary damage to communities and wild places. Applications for telecom masts are flooding into Local Planning Authorities across Scotland with little justification as to their specific siting and design. Many of the applications lack meaningful knowledge of the sites they are proposed on with blatant disregard for whether communities will actually benefit. The rushed approach is being driven by a geographical target, set by the UK Government, to bring 4G

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Posted in Magazine, Nature

Gear review: winter gloves and mitts

Gloves are an important pack item for hillwalkers all year round, but in the winter months multiple pairs to cover different conditions can be needed. Mitts provide the most warmth, keeping your fingers together, but also reduce dexterity compared to gloves. Many hikers carry thin liner gloves, perhaps mitts to wear over them, plus potentially a shell with a windproof and/or waterproof membrane (though in our experience none will keep completely dry). The gloves in this review all have at least windproof membranes. Highlander Mountain Glove RRP: £17.99Weight: 140g (S)Fabric: polyester with Taslan reinforcement on palm and underside, Ab-Tex waterproof/breathable

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Posted in Accessories, Gear reviews, Magazine

Gear Review: Headtorches

As the days get shorter it becomes essential to carry a headtorch on longer walks – you’ll either be starting in the dark for longer days, or need a torch in case you don’t make it back before dusk. They can also be a real boon in emergency situations to help rescuers locate you. In winter I tend to carry two, as I have experienced the failure of a torch out on the hill. Others are happy to rely on a fully-charged spare battery – though not all models allow battery swapping. As headtorches have advanced so have the features.

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Posted in Accessories, Gear reviews, Magazine

Entries open for Wild Places exhibition

To celebrate its 40th year, conservation charity, the John Muir Trust (JMT) is inviting writers, photographers, sculptors, videographers, podcasters, and outdoor enthusiasts to share their creative vision of freedom for wild places. The best entries will have their work featured in an exhibition at the Wild Space visitor centre in Pitlochry during spring 2024. The overall winner will receive a week-long artist in residence opportunity at a JMT site, working on a project in collaboration with the Trust for a future exhibition. Speaking about the exhibition, wildlife photographer and judge Andy Howard said: “As someone that spends so much time

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Posted in Magazine, News

What’s your favourite coire in Scotland?

“We need a couple of volunteers next week to walk into Garbh Choire”, said our conservation manager. My ears pricked up. It would doubtless be a tiring day, as we’d be retrieving some 1t bags, wooden stakes and rolls of wire netting. But I jumped at the chance because, for some reason, I’d never actually visited An Garbh Choire. To my considerable shame, I might add, given its reputation as a grand and wild place, the home of the Sphinx (Scotland’s most famous snow patch), and it simply being the gnarliest, farthest flung corner of my office. Sandwiched between Braeriach

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Posted in Features, Magazine

A tale of wilderness, weather and venison

September’s walk report of the month has been awarded to a realistic write up of an epic three day trip to Knoydart. Here Alex, David and Stefan battled Storm Betty, bogs, busy bothies, chest high bracken and a lot of rain, but somehow managed to totally enjoy themselves. Alexdw win’s a £100 Highlander prize voucher, read his walk report and maybe plan your own adventure to these amazing mountains in Knoydart: Glenfinnan – Inverie via Sgurr na Ciche Munros. The £50 runner up pize went to old danesian for Cùl Mòr … or frustratingly less – a great account with

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Posted in Magazine

Our picks: Glasgow walks by public transport

Tips for using Walkhighlands Whether you are using the free Walkhighlands app that lets you download our detailed route descriptions and GPS mapping for use offline, or just using the website, when doing any walk search you can specify if you are looking for walks that are accessible by public transport – just tick the ‘advanced search’ box to bring up the option. You can search for walks in any specific area, but here are our ideas for 10 walks you can reach from Glasgow. Walking using public transport in Scotland does take a bit more effort to plan your

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Posted in Features, Magazine, Our picks


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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.