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Yearly Archives: 2019

Shooting the Breeze – Anke Addy

Posted on December 28, 2019 by David Lintern

Our occasional series of interviews with photographers living and working in Scotland continues. David Lintern speaks to Cairngorms afficionado, Anke Addy. You are originally from the lowlands of the Netherlands. How did you end up living and working in Scotland and what attracted you here? As is often the case, it was for work. First, a short-term job at a field centre in South Wales, and from there to Scotland. Having arrived in the North East, more than 35 years ago, we soon appreciated the varied landscape and spent a lot of time out of doors, and still do. How…

Posted in Features, Magazine, Photography

£5m for Highlands & Islands tourism projects

Posted on December 28, 2019 by Helen Webster

Nine projects in the Highlands and Islands will share a £5 million European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) award to promote the outstanding scenery, wildlife and culture of the Highlands and Islands, Scottish Tourism & Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop announced today. The funding has been awarded through the Natural Cultural and Heritage Fund, led by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH). Ms Hyslop announced the grants after visiting Wildlife Watch Abernethy. The project has received just over £252,000 from the Natural Cultural and Heritage Fund, which will create three new, local jobs as well as extend the opening season and improve the visitor…

Posted in Access issues, Magazine, Nature

Gear reivew: Hoka One One Sky Toa mid boots

Posted on December 21, 2019 by Helen Webster

Recommended price: £160Weight: 720g (pair, women’s size 5.5) French company Hoka One One (the name comes from Maori meaning “to fly over the earth”) is well known for it’s running shoes, often favoured by ultra distance competitors and characterised by the outsize midsole and deep layered cushioning. Hoka have now added 5 walking boots to their stock as a lightweight alternative to lower profile trail shoes. I’ve been testing out the women’s Sky Toa since late summer and through the autumn. First thing to mention is the bulky outline – the large midsole gives Hoka’s a distinctive bulbous look. The…

Posted in Footwear, Gear reviews, Magazine

Gear review: Hanwag Alta Bunion GTX boots

Posted on December 18, 2019 by Paul Webster

Recommended Price: £195Weight: 1510g (Pair, size 10.5) I’ve long been interested in trying out footwear from Hanwag, since hearing that they make some models on a special last suitable for people with bunions. Though less known in the UK, German company Hanwag have a long pedigree, having been founded in Bavaria in 1921. The Alta is a pretty sturdy but fairly lightweight traditional full height leather hiking boot. The uppers are nubuck leather with a waterproof gore-tex lining, and the sole is a Vibram unit with a decent tread, providing good grip. The ankle cuffs are lined with soft leather,…

Posted in Footwear, Gear reviews, Magazine

Snow heralds start to Scottish avalanche forecasts

Posted on December 16, 2019 by Helen Webster

Snow on the hills in all six of the forecast areas heralded the start of this winter’s avalanche forecasting service. Forecasts are provided by the Scottish Avalanche Information Service (SAIS) for the following areas: Lochaber, Glen Coe, Creag Meagaidh, Southern Cairngorms, Northern Cairngorms and Torridon from mid December to mid April. As well as providing detailed daily forecasts which hillwalkers can use in combination with weather reports to plan their routes, the SAIS builds up a record of avalanche activity across Scotland. Last winter was a mild one in the Scottish hills but there were still 144 recorded avalanches, 21…

Posted in Magazine, News

Project hopes to save Scotland’s disappearing mountaintop forests

Posted on December 11, 2019 by Helen Webster

A groundbreaking bid to help save Scotland’s almost-vanished mountaintop forests and their wildlife is being launched by Trees for Life, with the creation in the Highlands of what is thought will be the country’s largest planted area of rare high-altitude woodland. Centuries of overgrazing by sheep and deer have left most of Scotland stripped of the once-common, tough, waist-high ‘wee trees’ such as dwarf birch and downy willow – known as ‘montane’ species because they can grow near mountain summits, despite harsh conditions. In a major expansion of action to reverse the loss of these unique woodlands – home to…

Posted in Magazine, Nature

Scottish Dates for Banff Mountain Film Festival

Posted on December 3, 2019 by Helen Webster

The Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour is back for 2020, bringing thrilling adventure films to venues around Scotland this January and February. The Banff Mountain Film Festival is a collection of the world’s best adventure films, starring intrepid explorers on wild expeditions in remote corners of the world. From slacklining in Mexico to ice skating on the spectacular frozen fjords of Sweden, audiences can expect gripping action, soulful journeys and mind-blowing cinematography – all from the comfort of a cinema seat. Scottish dates kick off on 18 January 2020 in Pitlochry with two screenings of different sets of films,…

Posted in Magazine

Gear review – Alpkit Definition Jacket

Posted on December 1, 2019 by Paul Webster

Usual Price: £229 (currently on sale)Weight: 545g (men’s large) The Definition is Alpkit’s top of the range mountaineering jacket. On handling, you can immediately tell this is a serious hardshell; the fabric feels quite stiff and very robust and the fit is quite generous. The Definition feels like a waterproof built to inspire confidence that it will cope with the toughest conditions Scotland can offer. The fabric is a 3 layer laminate, with a nylon inner and outer, enclosing unbranded waterproof membrane. It may be the latter that is key to the very competitive pricing, but the specs show high…

Posted in Gear reviews, Jackets, Magazine

Environmental groups respond to SNH deer management report

Posted on November 29, 2019 by Paul Webster

A coalition of environmental organisations have welcomed improvements in the functioning of deer management groups while warning that a step change is needed if climate and biodiversity targets are to be met. A report published today by Scottish Natural Heritage suggests that there has been “significant progress” in deer management planning and evidence of improvements on the ground in reducing deer densities in some areas. The report, however also noted that three out of five key Scottish biodiversity targets are “unlikely to be delivered” because of high deer densities and that there has been “insufficient progress”in protecting and restoring native…

Posted in Nature

Gear Review: Mammut Whitehorn Jacket

Posted on November 28, 2019 by Paul Webster

Recommended Price: £199Weight: 640g (men’s large) The Whitehorn is a new insulated downjacket from Mammut, with a few innovative features. The 115g of filling in the main part of the jacket is recycled 650 fill power goose down, but the shoulders are filled with a recycled synthetic insulation – which should boost durability when worn with a pack as well as aiding performance in damp conditions. Not only are both fillings recycled, the face and lining fabric is too; the Pertex Quantum Eco has been treated with a durable water repellent finish – PFC free, to complete the impressive environmental…

Posted in Gear reviews, Jackets, Magazine, Midlayers