walkhighlands

Gear review: the best walking socks

The humble sock can make a big difference to the enjoyment of a day out, whether it’s a big hill day, multi-day backpack or gentle dog walk. Here we’ve taken a look at a range of hiking socks, all tested in a range of conditions in the Scottish Highlands. Ideally a sock should provide day-long comfort with good cushioning and support, fitting well to prevent slippage and blisters, keeping the foot warm but not overly sweaty and stinky, it should be durable and easy to care for. In addition there are environmental and ethical considerations in how and where they

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Posted in Footwear, Gear reviews, Magazine

Munros by bus and Californian sunshine are walk report winners

There were plenty of great walk reports posted in February to keep everyone entertained and inspired. Walk report of the month and winner of a £100 Highlander voucher was to BeinnStob for “Hiking with the free bus pass” – a great round up of Munros completed, pints sipped and buses caught. Californian sunshine clinched it for the runner up prize. A £50 voucher is on its way to gmayle82 for High Sierra Trail – A Week in the Wilderness – wonderful photos from a week’s hiking. Thanks again to everyone who posted in February. Each month £150 of Highlander vouchers are up

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Posted in Magazine, News

Hillwalkers needed for Munro Brain Power challenge

Following his brain tumour diagnosis, Glenn Campbell set himself the challenge of climbing all 282 Scottish Munros. A Walkhighlands user himself, Glenn is now asking hillwalkers to join him by taking on a Munro on Sunday 10 August. The informal event will hopefully see as many individuals and teams reach the summit of a Munro on Brain Power Day 2025 to raise awareness of brain tumours and funds for more research. Glenn said, “I’m really excited about this, not least because 10th August will be two years since successful surgery to remove most of my incurable brain tumour. Claire and

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Posted in Magazine, News

An Inversion, a Fata Morgana mirage and a Crock of … 1st walk report winners of 2025

Lots of great reports were posted in the first month of the year. After much deliberation the report of the month and winner of a £100 Highlander voucher was awarded to Kenny_G for “Inversion on Sgor Gaoith with bonus Fata Morgana mirage” a fabulous snowy mountain day with great photos. It was hard to choose between so many excellent reports for the runner up prize, but in the end it was Fife Flyer who made us laugh with “Crock, 2025 update – if anyone is brave or daft enough” – a tale of summit bagging obsession from folk who should

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Posted in Magazine

Ptarmigan – sharing is caring

There’s not much life up high this time of year. Or at least, that’s the impression you get as you push through shifting sprindrift and up wind-scoured ridges. You can easily buy into the notion that there’s only you up there. As far as you’re concerned, you’re the only creature mad enough to try. But it’s often at times like those, when the wind is raging and you feel the need to keep moving to stay warm, that a small, plump white bird crosses your path. It’s never the case that I catch advance sight of its silhouette on a

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Posted in Features, Magazine, Nature

Mountaineering Scotland issue advice on crampons and micro spikes

Mountaineering Scotland is urging hillwalkers and climbers to improve their understanding of winter equipment for use in icy conditions on hill paths and more technical terrain.  At the end of last winter, they asked hill-goers for their thoughts on using crampons and other traction devices like micro spikes in the winter mountains. With over 1,300 respondents, the survey highlighted that while many experienced walkers and climbers understood the appropriate use of micro spikes and crampons, a notable portion of less experienced hikers were unaware of the critical differences to when and where they are appropriate to use.  Key Survey Findings:  Micro

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Posted in Magazine, News

Walkers urged to fight cuts to local access funding

Ramblers Scotland is calling on walkers to urgently email local councillors to ensure upcoming budgets safeguard investment in walking, paths and outdoor access.  The charity says that most Scottish councils have squeezed the money they spend on walking throughout the past decade. Long-term budget cuts have led to fewer staff to support access, complaints about blocked paths increasingly going unanswered, and insufficient funds to maintain popular trails. A new webpage has been launched at ramblers.org.uk/accessbudgets to help walkers find and email their local councillors.  Ramblers Scotland director Brendan Paddy said: “Right now, councils across Scotland are setting their 2025/26 budgets. It’s vital that

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Posted in Access issues, Magazine, News

UPDATE: All four lynx have now been recaptured

UPDATE 10/1: Two further lynx were spotted in the area this morning. These additional lynx were also recaptured this evening. UPDATE 9/1: The [original] two lynx have been successfully recaptured by the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS), who run the nearby Highland Wildlife Park. Working alongside Police Scotland, experts from the wildlife conservation charity humanely trapped the cats overnight. They are now being cared for in quarantine facilities at Highland Wildlife Park before being transferred to Edinburgh Zoo.  The charity has condemned the illegal release as “highly irresponsible” and said it is likely the lynx would have died in

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Posted in Magazine, Nature, News

December walk report winners announced

Happy New Year! It’s been fun looking back at what people got up to and posted in December. Walk report of the month and winner of a £100 Highlander voucher goes to johnbythell for “Epic day in the Monadhliath” – fab report and great photos – congratulations. The £50 Highlander voucher is heading to Mr Bump for “Four Months after Open Heart Surgery” – an inspiring read and a great day in the hills. Each month £150 of Highlander vouchers are up for grabs, just post a walk report on the Walkhighlands forum for a chance of winning.

Posted in Magazine, Walkhighlands news

Kinloch Hourn road closure periods

The minor road to Kinloch Hourn on the edge of Knoydart is set to have restricted access over the next few months. The road closure notice begins on 21 December 2024 and will remain in effect until Thursday 1 May 2025. However, the closure notice will only be enforced during specified periods and times – usually open weekends and at lunchtimes as well as early morning and evening. The latest closure times can be found on the SSE website – go to this page and then click on ‘Project Updates’

Posted in Access issues, Magazine, Walkhighlands news


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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.