Yearly Archives: 2011

Storm battered trees cause concern

Posted on June 9, 2011 by Helen Webster

Experts from Forestry Commission Scotland are allaying public fears over the ‘browning’ of many trees on the west coast of Scotland. Although the trees may look unhealthy, it is hoped that most will recover over time. Experts are citing the exceptionally strong winds and salt laden sea air of 23 May as the cause for scorching the trees and turning them brown. Many broadleaved trees and larches have been affected and, to a lesser extent, pine and other conifers. The main geographical area affected appears to stretch from Dumfries and Galloway north to Fort Wiliam on the western seaboard. Hugh…

Posted in Nature

Graffiti artists to transform John O'Groats

Posted on June 9, 2011 by Helen Webster

The iconic John O’Groats hotel is set to have one final moment of glory before work begins to redevelop it as part of the regeneration of the well known tourist destination later this year. It will form the centre piece of ‘Transform’, a weekend of community celebration at the start of July at John O’Groats featuring street art, video projections, ceramic firings, story-telling, and music. The hotel, which has been a derelict and rotting backdrop to many visitor’s photos, will be madeover by street artists using spray paint to create massive pictures as well as a huge 3D Rubiks cube.…

Posted in Uncategorized

Annandale Way now on Walkhighlands

Posted on June 8, 2011 by Helen Webster

The Annandale Way is a new long distance route that runs from the top of the valley at Annandale Head in the hills north of the town of Moffat to the mouth of the River Annan and the Solway Firth. A full online description of the route, with photos, OS mapping and GPS track, is now available, free of charge, on Walkhighlands. The route was walked by renowned long distance walker and author, Chris Townsend, for Walkhighlands, earlier in the Spring. Writing on his blog, Chris Townsend said, “Just finished a six day walk along the Annandale Way, an interesting…

Posted in News, Walkhighlands news

Dave MacLeod urges Mountain Rescue to get Tweeting

Posted on June 8, 2011 by Helen Webster

Dave MacLeod, one of Scotland’s top climbers, has suggested mountain rescue teams could use social media to publicise accounts of rescues in order to raise funds. Writing on his blog, Dave MacLeod raised a number of interesting issues about fundraising and his desire to see rescue teams do more to use their experience to tell walkers and climbers of known accident black spots and common issues that lead to people getting into trouble on the hills. Responding to requests to publicise and endorse funding appeals by mountain rescue teams on social media sites like Twitter, Dave MacLeod likened this approach…

Posted in News

New Rescue Team for Outer Hebrides

Posted on June 7, 2011 by Helen Webster

A new Search and Rescue team will provide emergency help to walkers and climbers in the Western Isles. The newly-formed Hebrides Search and Rescue has now been officially recognised by the Mountain Rescue Council of Scotland. The 18 strong team are based in Stornoway but will cover the whole of the Outer Hebrides and are equipped with two landrovers and have the use of a rescue boat. All the team members are keen hillwalkers, with three qualified medics, as well as a number of members who have been involved in mountain rescue elsewhere in mainland UK. John Norfolk, founder and…

Posted in News

Last minute chance to learn navigation and GPS skills

Posted on June 6, 2011 by Helen Webster

There are a few last minute places left on navigation and GPS skills courses taking place this weekend at Cairngorm Mountain near Aviemore. The one day courses are run by the Mountaineering Council of Scotland and are open to everyone. The aim of the navigation course taking place on Saturday 11 June is to increase your confidence in finding your way on the hill, learn the skills of map reading and compass bearings and to pick up handy hints and techniques to locate yourself on the hill in poor visibility. The GPS course on the following Sunday (the courses can…

Posted in News

Win copies of Pathways

Posted on June 6, 2011 by Helen Webster

Walkhighlands has teamed up with Guardian Books to offer the chance to win 4 copies of the new book Pathways. From the processional routes of ancient Britain to Victorian promenades along the sea-front, Britain’s pathways are inextricably woven into our landscape and history. In this new book, David Stewart and Nicholas Rudd-Jones set out to explore some of the most evocative and beautiful tracks and ways that criss-cross the nation, explaining how they came about and what they tell us about the people who made them. As they do so, they give both the keen and casual walker a very…

Posted in Walkhighlands news

Canal walk across Scotland

Posted on June 5, 2011 by Helen Webster

Fancy crossing Scotland’s central belt on foot without having to get entangled in motorways, housing complexes, shopping malls or industrial estates? Following the towpaths of the Forth and Clyde Canal and the Union Canal provides a fantastic green and watery corridor across Scotland passing the impressive Falkirk Wheel, remains of the Antonine Wall built by the Romans, and clues to Scotland’s industrial heritage as well as numerous nature reserves and surprisingly quiet countryside. Walkhighlands now hosts the only online in-depth description of this route which is soon to be promoted as one of 20 long distance walks to be known…

Posted in News, Walkhighlands news

Invergarry footbridge gets makeover

Posted on June 4, 2011 by Helen Webster

The historic Invergarry footbridge over the River Garry, cited as an important early example from the “pioneering” days of steel in construction, has been saved from collapse by Forestry Commission Scotland. The elegant, B-listed bridge spans 60m over the dramatic River Garry and has been a feature in the landscape ever since it was constructed in 1892. However, the worst ravages of the Scottish weather had taken its toll and some of the steel trusses were badly corroded and the bridge had been shut for over two years. Kenneth Knott, the Environment Forester for Lochaber Forest District, said: “The bridge…

Posted in Access issues, News

Police name Ben Nevis walker

Posted on June 4, 2011 by Helen Webster

Police have confirmed the details of a man who died whilst walking with a friend on Ben Nevis on Sunday 29 May 2011 above the Half Way Lochan. Arnaud Alexandre Romain Albagnac was 22 years old and came from Aveyron in France. A report has been submitted to the Procurator Fiscal which is usual in these circumstances.

Posted in News