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Monthly Archives: October 2011

Gear review: Hats

Posted on October 29, 2011 by Helen Webster

Whilst the urban myth that most of our body heat is lost through our head was debunked by scientists in the winter of 2008 (don’t let your kids see this), a warm hat remains an essential item of equipment for hillwalkers in Scotland all year round. Even in the height of summer the Cairngorm plateau can be a pretty inhospitable place; when the wind picks up and from October to April I’ll generally carry a spare hat in case of loss; a balaclava is a good option for the coldest weather. As with all items of outdoor equipment there are…

Posted in Accessories, Gear reviews

No shaggy dog story as second lost pet found

Posted on October 27, 2011 by Helen Webster

The BBC have reported how Sam the Springer Spaniel was found after 4 nights out in the wilds after becoming separated from his owner, hillwalker Dave Webb last week. Regular users of Walkhighlands will know that Dave reported that Sam went missing on the Munro Am Faochagach on the forum and was helped in the search by other users of the website, with one forum member driving all the way from Lanarkshire to help find Sam. A heart-warming story of folk helping each out others they have never met, and a happy ending – but the story has a remarkable…

Posted in Walkhighlands news

Windfarm protest set for 8th November

Posted on October 25, 2011 by Helen Webster

The Save The Monadhliath campaign group are planning a protest outside the headquarters of Highland Council. The campaign was set up to specifically to oppose the planning application for the controversial Allt Duine windfarm on the edge of the Cairngorms National Park near Duncraig. The protest will be held on the 8th November – the day when the councillors on the planning committee meet to vote on the plans. This is the first stage in the process as the ultimate decision will be made by ministers. A spokesman for the Save the Monadhliath campaign said “We are not against renewable…

Posted in Uncategorized

Tyndrum gold mine plans approved

Posted on October 25, 2011 by Helen Webster

The Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority has today (25 Oct) granted planning permission to Scotgold Resources Ltd for a goldmine at Cononish near Tyndrum. The decision comes at the end of a long running planning saga dating back to early 2010. Planning officers had recommended approval after a resubmitted application addressed many of the environmental concerns relating to the production of waste and use of water on the site. Members of the Park Authority decided that the need for economic growth outweighed concerns about the environment. Conditions have been placed on Scotgold Resources to minimise the long…

Posted in Access issues, Nature

Great Glen Way diversions

Posted on October 25, 2011 by Helen Webster

Forestry Commission Scotland says that timber harvesting taking place this winter and into next year will cause two diversions on a popular section of the Great Glen Way. The long distance route, which runs between Fort William and Inverness, will have two signed diversions in place from 1 November between Altt na Criche and Invermoriston. Walkers are advised to follow the signs and to stay on the diverted route which are not suitable for horses or bikes due to steep and rough sections. The Forestry Commission expects the harvesting work to be complete by the end of March 2012. A…

Posted in Access issues, News

Sunday ferry sails between Harris and Skye

Posted on October 24, 2011 by Helen Webster

Ferry operator, Caledonian MacBrayne, has started a Sunday service from Tarbert on the Isle of Harris. Up until yesterday (23 October) Tarbert was the only Outer Hebrides port without a Sunday sailing, usually a boat would leave empty and head to Lochmaddy, on North Uist, from where a Sunday service to Uig on Skye was provided. The introduction of this final Sunday service is controversial with locals, where Sabbath observance is still an important way of life for some. CalMac said that the decision to start taking passengers at Tarbert on a Sunday was taken after consultation with the local…

Posted in Uncategorized

Deer warning to Scottish motorists

Posted on October 24, 2011 by Helen Webster

Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) is warning motorists that collisions between deer and vehicles increase in certain parts of Scotland at this time of year. Car accidents involving deer can peak at this time of year, as our clocks turn back. With the nights starting earlier, the peak commuting time coincides with deer coming out to feed on grass verges near roadsides. From Monday, 24 October to Monday, 14 November, electronic variable messaging signs will warn motorists at key locations on the main trunk roads in Scotland, such as the A9, A835, A85, A82, and A87. From the latest deer vehicle…

Posted in News

Gear review: Winter daypacks

Posted on October 21, 2011 by Phil Turner

In the first of a new series of reviews of outdoor clothing and equipment, Walkhighlands’ gear editor Phil Turner takes a look at rucsacks for the winter season. Warm jacket, spare hat, goggles, ice axe, crampons, flask of hot rum tea, spare gloves, bothy bag, snowshoes – it’s easy for a winter load to take on gargantuan proportions and swamp that lightweight mountain marathon pack that seemed cavernous in the summer. To accommodate this increased load I prefer a pack around the 40 litre mark – increasing to 45 or even 50l if I’m carrying group kit. In addition to…

Posted in Gear reviews, Rucksacks

Beauly Denny powerline measures rejected by Council

Posted on October 21, 2011 by Helen Webster

Following last month’s public meeting at which plans to reduce the visual impact of the Beauly to Denny powerline around Stirling were voted down, the Council has formally rejected the plans and branded them “inadequate and ineffective”. The Scottish Government has approved the line of the power route but asked Scottish Power and Stirling Council to work together to come up with plans to mitigate the effect of the planned giant pylons in the area around Stirling and the Wallace Monument. Scottish Power put forward plans which involved painting the pylons to blend in with the surroundings and planting to…

Posted in Access issues, Nature

Views wanted on Scottish woodland expansion plans

Posted on October 19, 2011 by Helen Webster

Individuals, land managers, local authorities, the voluntary sector and community groups across Scotland are all being asked their views on how best to take forward woodland expansion in Scotland. The call to gather views comes from Dr Andrew Barbour, the chairman of the Woodland Expansion Advisory Group. This 18-strong group of farmers, foresters, conservation, community and land experts, has been tasked with the job of providing Scottish Ministers with advice on identifying which types of land are best for tree planting. Dr Barbour said: “One clear message from the Group is a desire to gather as many views as possible…

Posted in Nature