Yearly Archives: 2013

Mountain Equipment Compressor Hooded Womens Jacket

Posted on October 16, 2013 by Helen Webster

New for this season, I was keen to try Mountain Equipment’s synthetic insulation as I’ve long been a fan of their down jackets. I also had a cooling experience with a badly-designed Primaloft jacket many years ago in its early days, so I wanted to see if this insulation could now cut the mustard. Mountain Equipment Compressor Hooded Womens Jacket Price £140 Weight 305g (Size 10) Packability, water resistance, lightweight, cost Short length, slight fill leakage at quilting stitching in areas of wear Insulation The insulation comes in the form of synthetic PrimaLoft One with 60g weight in the body…

Posted in Gear reviews, Jackets

Campaigners urge RWE to withdraw Allt Duine windfarm

Posted on October 15, 2013 by Helen Webster

Today, the Save Monadhliath Mountains (SMM) campaign has issued a strongly worded letter to RWE Npower Renewables Ltd demanding the power company withdraw their proposal to erect a 31 turbine wind farm on the very edge of the Cairngorms National Park (the Park and CNP) boundary at Allt Duine. The campaigners argue that the case against the application is so overwhelming that “the proposal will limp into the Minister’s in tray for a decision before being hastily dispatched to the wastebasket.” The SMM campaign believes that three important reasons have combined to make a ministerial decision in favour of the…

Posted in Nature, News

Real 3 Peaks Challenge conquers rubbish

Posted on October 15, 2013 by Helen Webster

Organisers of a mass clear up on the three highest mountains in Scotland, England and Wales said they removed about 265kg of rubbish last weekend. Over 100 volunteers took part in the Real 3 Peaks Challenge on Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike in Cumbria, and on Snowdon. The litter pick on Ben Nevis resulted in three bags full of plastic bottles, one walking boot, a Swedish flag, and a polystyrene airplane as well as other general rubbish.

Posted in Nature, News

Police appeal for missing walker

Posted on October 14, 2013 by Helen Webster

UPDATE: Following this appeal, Dale Finnie has been located. The Highlands and Islands Division of Police Scotland have asked walkers for help locating a missing man thought to be walking in the Highlands. Police are concerned for the welfare of Dale Finnie who was reported missing yesterday (13 October) after he failed to make contact with family whilst on walking and climbing trip in the area. 26 year old Dale is described as 6 foot high, of slim build with short brown hair. He is driving a silver/blue Peugeot 206, registration number KE02 FRP. Dale was walking and climbing in…

Posted in News

Finlay Wild breaks 3 hour barrier for Cuillin Ridge traverse

Posted on October 14, 2013 by Paul Webster

Lochaber Athletic Club member Finlay Wild has broken his own record for the fastest traverse of the Cuillin Ridge – breaking the sub 3 hour barrier for the first time. The Cuillin Ridge is regarded as Britain’s biggest mountain challenge; the previous record set by Finlay in June this year was 3 hours 14 mins and 58 seconds. The route – which involves rock-climbing sections up to Very Difficult standard and hard scrambling for much of the way – includes 11 Munros. Finlay left the summit of Gars-bheinn at the southern end of the ridge at 12 noon on Saturday…

Posted in News

Decline of Scottish seabirds continues

Posted on October 10, 2013 by Helen Webster

A new report by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) confirms results from previous years showing that Scotland's seabird numbers are continuing to decline, although there are two species that have fared better than others. The report uses data collected by volunteers and professionals from samples of breeding colonies around Scotland. It shows that, from 1986 to 2012, the number of seabirds breeding in Scotland has dropped by 46%. The latest statistics shows that of the 11 species for which abundance could be calculated, nine have shown sustained declines since 1986. The largest declines have been for Arctic skua (80%), a decrease…

Posted in Nature

Ancient pines tracked down in Glen Affric

Posted on October 10, 2013 by Helen Webster

Tree lovers have tracked down some of Scotland's oldest Scots pine trees at a highland beauty spot. Volunteers from the Woodland Trust Scotland and Trees for Life have recorded more 200 ancient and veteran Scots pine trees in Glen Affric. Andrew Fairbairn from the Woodland Trust Scotland said: “Ancient trees are the natural equivalent of listed buildings so it’s vital that they are recorded for their future protection. Thanks to the fantastic support received from players of People’s Postcode Lottery we are coming close to having 1,000 pine trees recorded on the Ancient tree Hunt in Scotland.” Volunteer Jim Christie…

Posted in Nature

Tree planting without fences aims to boost biodiversity

Posted on October 8, 2013 by Helen Webster

A different approach to tree-planting is being trialled by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH). In areas with deer, it is normal for trees to be planted with fencing to protect rarer native saplings. But under a technique being trialled at Creag Meagaidh and Beinn Eighe National Nature Reserves, managed by SNH, trees will be planted without fences. Methods will be trialled to establish tree species which struggle to gain a foothold due to deer browsing. Some species have died out in areas due to the presence of deer, and are unlikely to naturally recolonise as a result of a lack of…

Posted in Nature

Dundee Mountain Film Festival line up announced

Posted on October 6, 2013 by Helen Webster

The lineup for Dundee Mountain Film Festival – the UK’s longest continuous running mountain film festival has just been announced. It showcases an international programme of speakers, all appearing at DMFF for the first time, and award winning films and exhibitions, held in the Dundee Rep Theatre’s Bonar Hall. This year’s speakers are: – Hamish MacInnes introducing the film “The Eiger Sanction” – An evening of Music and Images with Matilda Brown – Jim Crumley’s Nature of Mountains – Dolina Swanson and Christine Stewart’s epic paddle to St Kilda – Kenton Cool and his ultimate three peaks challenge! This year…

Posted in News

Success for Isle of Harris Mountain Festival

Posted on October 6, 2013 by Helen Webster

The organisers of this year's Isle of Harris Mountain Festival say that despite the unsettled weather it turned out to be the best festival yet. Matt Watts, the North Harris Ranger, said, “We had plenty of guided walks including a couple of excellent hill walks up Bleabhal in West Harris and Giolabhal Glas behind Tarbert, and a packed golden eagle walk (with plenty of sightings as always!). Alison O’Neill led two guided walks over the Machair, getting everyone to go barefoot for both walks! Unfortunately the Clisham Horseshoe walk had to be called off, to save anyone from being blown…

Posted in News