Yearly Archives: 2011

REVIEW: A year in the life of the Cairngorms by Chris Townsend

Posted on August 1, 2011 by Helen Webster

A YEAR IN THE LIFE OF THE CAIRNGORMS is a photographic journey through the four seasons of the Cairngorms, from the pinewoods to the plateau as seen through the lens of Chris Townsend. Chris is a life-long outdoors enthusiast and long distance backpacker, and has lived on the fringes of this remarkable wild landscape for many years. He has vast experience of walking, skiing and camping out on these mountains in all seasons – there could be few who have come to know these hills so intimately. The result is a book with a wealth of photos that capture the…

Posted in Books, Gear reviews

Mountain body celebrates safety record

Posted on July 31, 2011 by Helen Webster

The organisation representing mountaineers and climbers in Scotland has issued its annual report for 2011. In it, the Mountaineering Council of Scotland (MCofS) celebrates the lowest annual number of mountain rescue incidents but raises concerns about the future for wild landscape, particularly the issue of windfarms. The report has been published ahead of the organisation’s Annual General Meeting in Dunblane on Saturday 3rd September. The 2011 report highlights successes in the following areas: – Membership growth to over 11,000. – A record 1,379 people attended MCofS courses and lectures as a result of the Mountain Safety Programme. – Scottish athletes…

Posted in News

Last chance to win case of organic beer

Posted on July 30, 2011 by Helen Webster

Walkhighlands has a mixed case of 20x500ml bottles of organic beer to give away, to celebrate the opening of the brand new brewery building at the Black Isle Brewery. However you need to hurry to get your entry in as the competition ends on Sunday 31 July. The Black Isle Brewing Company is a small intensely independent organic brewery in the heart of the Scottish Highlands. Its mission is to produce a range of top quality organic beers packaged in recycled materials. The barley and hops used are grown on organic farms, without artificial fertilisers or herbicides. The folks at…

Posted in Walkhighlands news

Cows return to Cow Hill

Posted on July 29, 2011 by Helen Webster

Cow Hill above Fort William could soon see the return of Black Grouse, thanks to the intervention of Lochaber Forest District’s Highland Cattle herd. Acquired by Forestry Commission Scotland in 2001, the site has benefited from new paths to improve access and is the home of a local allotment project. The addition of six cattle to the site is expected to have a significant impact on the local biodiversity. Kenneth Knott, Environment Forester for the Commission’s Lochaber team, said: “Using cattle to carry out work on sites such as Cow Hill, is a great way to improve the landscape and…

Posted in Nature

Isle of Harris Mountain Festival

Posted on July 27, 2011 by Helen Webster

The Isle of Harris Mountain Festival is a new and exciting week long event featuring guided walks, photographic workshops, sea kayaking, the Harris Five Peaks Challenge, a ceilidh, films, talks and more. The Festival will run from 24 September to 1 October. Festival organisers say, “This is an opportunity to explore the spectacular landscapes of Harris where seas and mountains meet. The interior of North and South Harris encompass some of the largest un-roaded areas of wild land in Scotland, offering limitless possibilities for walking and exploring. Harris has an extensive path network with around 45 miles of path. North…

Posted in News

Walkhighlands members in Nature of Farming final

Posted on July 26, 2011 by Helen Webster

Walkhighlands self-catering advertising members, Somerset and Carolyne Charrington have reached the final shortlist of four farms competing for a prestigious environmental farming award. The RSPB Telegraph Nature of Farming Award celebrates the fantastic work farmers are already doing for wildlife, with a top prize of £1,000 for the very best. The Charringtons who run a 750ha upland livestock farm at Treshnish on the Isle of Mull have taken to heart the need to manage the land in tune with nature whilst ensuring it provides a sustainable business. Their farm lies on some of the most spectacular coastal scenery on Mull…

Posted in Nature, Walkhighlands news

Cairn Gorm parking charges

Posted on July 24, 2011 by Helen Webster

Parking charges look set to be on their way for skiers, visitors, and walkers and climbers at the main car park on Cairn Gorm. CairnGorm Mountain, which runs the ski centre and funicular railway, is planning to install 6 stone boxes to collect car parking fees for the Coire Cas car park. The charges will be voluntary in the first instance with the aim being to introduce compulsory charging if the scheme is successful. CairnGorm Mountain says it will use the money to help pay for improved visitor information and footpath repairs. It is understood that car park donations will…

Posted in Nature, News

Cameron McNeish at Skye Book Festival

Posted on July 24, 2011 by Helen Webster

Mountaineer and broadcaster Cameron McNeish will be appearing at the Skye Book Festival on Friday July 29th. Cameron will be presenting an illustrated talk, along with fellow film maker Richard Else, about the BBC 2 documentary The Skye Trail, a 70-mile backpacking route from the tip of the Trotternish Peninsula to Broadford. The event takes place in the Aros Centre in Portree on the Isle of Skye at 7.30pm and admission is free. The event will also be the launch of the book which accompanied the BBC programme and signed copies will be available. The Skye Book Festival is a…

Posted in News

Tyndrum gold mine application resubmitted

Posted on July 23, 2011 by Helen Webster

Gold mining plans at Cononish near Tyndrum are back on track following the resubmission of the planning application 15 July. The application has been amended following refusal of planning permission by the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority in August 2010. Gordon Watson, Director of Planning and Rural Development at the Park Authority said: “I can confirm we have received a new planning application from Scotgold Resources Limited to operate a gold mine near Tyndrum. This revised application follows extensive pre-application discussions between the National Park and Scotgold to address the concerns associated with the previously refused application.…

Posted in Nature

Deaf-blind grandad completes Ben Nevis climb

Posted on July 22, 2011 by Helen Webster

Michael Anderson – a 70 year old father of three from Larbert – yesterday became the first deaf and fully blind climber to reach the summit of Britain’s highest mountain, Ben Nevis. Michael completed the climb to raise funds for the charity DeafBlind Scotland – and to celebrate his 70th birthday. The gruelling ascent was completed in just under 18 hours, with every step of the way guided by a group which included Michael’s daughter Fiona and her partner Nina, Arran mountain guide Lucy Wallace and guidebook and Walkhighlands author Phil Turner. During the ascent, two of the party went…

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