walkhighlands

Monthly Archives: February 2020

Winter conditions alert for mountaineers

With winter conditions at last established in Scotland’s mountains, Mountaineering Scotland is reminding hillgoers not to get carried away by excitement. After a winter which has been characterised by warmer than usual temperatures and lack of good snow, many keen hill walkers, climbers and ski tourers are eager to get out into the white stuff and make the most of the pleasures of the winter mountains. But experts have cautioned people to remember the golden rules of winter mountaineering: be prepared, be equipped and check conditions before you go. Heather Morning, Mountain Safety Adviser for Mountaineering Scotland, said “People are

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Posted in Magazine, News

Dear oh Deer: Scotland’s land use saga continues

Deer are our largest and most populous wild mammal – Are they also an icon of our feudal past, or a conservation whipping boy? David Lintern exhumes the bones of an ongoing debate.

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Posted in Features, Magazine, Nature

Coul links plans rejected

The Scottish Government has today rejected plans to built an 18 hole golf course on the internationally protected Coul Links dune system, north of Dornoch. The plans had been opposed by environmental groups and charities, including Ramblers Scotland, Buglife, Butterfly Conservation, the Marine Conservation Society, Plantlife, RSPB Scotland, the Scottish Wildlife Trust, and the National Trust for Scotland . The John o’ Groats Trail walking route would also have been affected. Brendan Paddy, Ramblers Scotland director, said: “We are hugely grateful and relieved that the Scottish Government has listened to the evidence-based concerns of environment, landscape and access experts, and

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Posted in Access issues, Nature

Peanmeanach Bothy to close as open shelter

Ardnish Estate, the owners of Peanmeanach bothy, have informed the Mountain Bothy Association that they have decided that Peanmeanach Bothy will cease to be an open access bothy with effect from early October this year, when it will be locked. The exact closure date has not yet been announced. It will then be renovated by the estate and subsequently reopened and run by them on a not-for-profit basis as a keyed bookable bothy. The reason for closure is based on problems the estate sees as arising from an increased number of visitors. A statement from the Mountain Bothy Association stated

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Posted in Access issues, Magazine

Walkhighlands / Mountaineering Scotland navigation courses

Following the success of the joint Walkhighlands/Mountaineering Scotland navigation courses over the last few years there will be a further four courses this year. These single day courses will be held in the Ochils in May and in the Lomond Hills in June. This is the chance to brush up on your navigation skills while meeting other Walkhighlands users on a fun and friendly day. Cost The courses are being run on a no-profit, minimal cost basis and are £55 each to non-members which includes a year’s discounted membership of Mountaineering Scotland. The courses are £35 to MS members. What

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Posted in Magazine, News, Walkhighlands news

Edinburgh Mountain Film Festival – 15-16 February

The EMFF is back for 2020 with a packed line up of films, speakers including Inverness-based Jenny Graham talking about her record-breaking round the world cycle, and the popular photography competition. The festival takes place at Edinburgh University and tickets are on sale now from the EMFF website.

Posted in News

Our picks: Scotland’s finest sea arches

Scotland’s magnificent coasts extend as far as 16,500km if the islands are included. As well as picturesque fishing villages and magnificent sandy beaches, there is some fantastic cliff scenery, including many mighty sea stacks as featured in a previous ‘our picks’. This time we take a look at natural arches… The Vat of Kirbuster, Stronsay, Orkney The Vat of Kirbuster is a blow hole – locally known as a gloup – whose entrance is spanned by the most spectacular rock arch in Orkney. The Whale’s Mouth, Cullen, Moray Our circular route from Cullen on the Moray Coast reveals not one but two

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Posted in Features, Magazine, Our picks


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You should always carry a backup means of navigation and not rely on a single phone, app or map. Walking can be dangerous and is done entirely at your own risk. Information is provided free of charge; it is every walker's responsibility to check it and to navigate safely.