Yearly Archives: 2017

Campcraft and hill skills – open fires

Posted on June 12, 2017 by David Lintern

As we move into peak walking and camping season, I wanted to spend some time on what seems to be a controversial subject; camp fires. There’s a huge range of attitudes towards when, where and why it’s acceptable to make a fire outdoors, even among experienced outdoors people and professionals, but there’s also a lack of public discussion which seems to me to be much more harmful than useful. I’ve also seen a fair amount of ‘social shaming’ dished out to folk posting pictures of campfires online, regardless of their age or experience… and of course the more you tell…

Posted in Access issues, Features, Magazine

Just a Bang on the Head…

Posted on June 10, 2017 by Cameron McNeish

Cameron McNeish discovers that a head knock had much more serious consequences than he first thought. IT all seemed fairly innocuous. The gutters on our house needed clearing and I figured it would be an easy job to stand on a ladder with a hosepipe and get the job done. I cleared the gutters and was about to descend the ladder when whatever happened next happened. I had fallen off the ladder (the ladder had actually slipped and I came down with it) and on the way down I banged my head off the harled wall, which tore the skin…

Posted in Features, Magazine

Call for Tall Tales from the Hills

Posted on June 8, 2017 by Helen Webster

Writers with a feeling for mountains and mountaineers are being sought by Mountaineering Scotland for its annual literary competition. The Mountaineering Scotland Writing Competition 2017 is looking for the best in new mountain writing, whether fact or fiction, prose or poetry. And, with more and more people taking art in outdoor activities, there should be no shortage of climbers and walkers ready to put their experiences into words and share what makes mountains, or the act of walking or climbing so special to them. Entries should have some connection with mountains and mountaineering, rock or ice climbing, walking or ski-mountaineering,…

Posted in News

Review: Leki Micro Vario Carbon poles

Posted on June 6, 2017 by Paul Webster

The Micro Vario Carbon poles from Leki have a premium price tag – but are they worth it? RRP: £144.95 (pair) Weight: 229g (per pole) The first thing that strikes you about these poles is their incredibly short length when packed – just 38cm. This is possible because what initially looks like a 3 section pole is actually 5 sections – there is a single speedlock adjustable section in the handle, and another hidden section that slides inside this. To assemble them you pull out the hidden section and then – as you straighten the pole sections held together by…

Posted in Accessories, Gear reviews, Magazine

Scottish Government enquiry into gamebird shoot licensing welcomed by RSPB

Posted on May 31, 2017 by Helen Webster

RSPB Scotland has welcomed the announcement of the setting up of an independent enquiry into gamebird shoot licensing made today by the Cabinet Secretary for the Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform, Roseanna Cunningham MSP. It follows the publication, this afternoon, of a Scottish Government-commissioned review of satellite-tagged eagles. The review was commissioned after the suspicious disappearance of eight birds in the Monadhliath mountains south-east of Inverness, between 2011 and 2016. The report, carried out by independent scientists and subsequently peer-reviewed, showed that approximately one third of tagged golden eagles fledging from Scottish nests are being illegally killed, with a…

Posted in Nature

Discovering Torridon

Posted on May 30, 2017 by Fiona Russell

In my opinion, there are few glens in Scotland as dramatic as Torridon and a drive along the road that winds through the base of the glacier-eroded valley is always breath-taking. No matter the season or the weather – and in this wilderness area of Scotland it can be fast-changing and fickle – the steep-sided, rugged mountainscape of ancient Lewisian gneiss, white quartzite and red Torridonian sandstone offers magnificent views. It is a place, too, where the pace is more old-fashioned and relaxed. Both locals and visitors willingly pull into passing places on the smoothly tarmacked singletrack A896, which winds…

Posted in Features, Magazine

Volunteers give Highland beaches a makeover

Posted on May 30, 2017 by Helen Webster

Two scenic and remote beaches north of Ullapool in the North West Highlands have been treated to a makeover by almost 50 volunteers through the Scottish Wildlife Trust’s Living Seas project. More than 300 bags of rubbish were gathered and taken out of the beaches at Dun Canna, which lies at the foot of Ben More Coigach – enough to fill a 25 cubic metre skip. Most of this rubbish was made up of fishing nets and ropes, plastic bottles and caps, as well as old toys and food packaging. Living Seas Communities Officer Noel Hawkins said: “Marine waste is…

Posted in Nature

CowalFest dates announced

Posted on May 29, 2017 by Helen Webster

The organisers of this year’s Cowal-based walking and outdoor festival have announced it will run from Friday 6th October to Sunday 15th October. The Festival will feature more than thirty walks graded from gentle strolls to challenging day trails. CowalFest organisers say that the walks, which are facilitated by knowledgeable volunteers and take place amid the stunning scenery, are a perfect introduction to this often-overlooked area of Scotland. This year’s CowalFest will include walks aimed at those interested in wildlife or photography, families will be well catered for and evening events will include a ceilidh. A special feature this year…

Posted in News

New bothy for Glen Kinglas

Posted on May 22, 2017 by Helen Webster

The Mountain Bothy Association has announed the opening of a new bothy in Glen Kinglas. Among the mountains that can be climbed from it are the Munros Beinn Ime, Ben Vorlich, Beinn Narnain and Ben Vane as well as Corbetts such as the Cobbler, Beinn Luibhean and Binnein an Fhidhleir. Neil Stewart from the MBA said, “Thanks to the efforts of 50 volunteers over a 3 week period, the building known as Abyssinia in Glen Kinglas in Argyll has been converted into a bothy and is now available for use. We are extremely grateful to Strone estate for allowing us…

Posted in Access issues, News

Shooting the Breeze – Eve Russell interview

Posted on May 20, 2017 by David Lintern

David Lintern catches up with a wildlife photographer and graphic artist living and working in the north. Where are you based and why? I live on the Black Isle, just North of Inverness, with stunning views of the Fyrish monument and Ben Wyvis. I work as a freelance Graphic Designer and photographer, alongside a part-time job with the Royal Mail. I’m here for the wildlife and the landscape. Do you have a favourite place at the moment to visit and take photos? Recently I’ve been keeping things local for a few dog photography shoots. More usually I spend a lot…

Posted in Features, Magazine, Photography