walkhighlands



Epic winter days win monthly gear prizes

February’s walk report of the month winners sum up the joy of being able to make the best of the small number of great mountain weather days we’ve had last month. The winning report is an account of an epic single day by Mrandmrsod Seeking the perfect Winters day on Ladhar Bheinn. A voucher for £100 of Highlander gear is on its way to you. Congratulations also to Pointless Parasite who wins the £50 runner up prize for Three classic Snowdonia scrambles in one day. For a chance of winning just post a walk report (everything from tiny bimbles to multi-day adventures welcome) on the

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Posted in Magazine, News

Gear Review: Winter Trousers 2024

Keela: Scuffer Trousers RRP: £84.95Weight: 440g (Women’s 10S) Just about the stretchiest fabric on test, these trousers have proved to have a high level of wind resistance and good water repellency, whilst not being too hot when working hard. I’ve found them to been fairly quick drying too. The decent sized zipped side vents with mesh are easy to use while wearing. The women’s fit is on the slim side, but these trousers come in 6 sizes and 3 lengths so you should find something that suits. The design is well thought out with good knee shaping and velcro-adjustable ankles

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Posted in Gear reviews, Magazine, Trousers

Epic US hike and wonderous Assynt win monthly prizes

2024 got off to a great start with loads of people posting their trip reports and walk experiences on the Walkhighlands forum. Each month two winners share £150 Highlander vouchers to spend on outdoor gear. January’s winning report, by Eduardo, takes us back to 2008 to tackle one of the great US trails – the heat of life in the handful of dust – John Muir Trail – a fantastic write up and a great read on a driech Scottish day. The £50 runner up prize goes to Anne C for The Wonder of Ben Mor Coigach, the stunning scenery of the north

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Posted in Magazine, News

Frozen summit camp wins December prize

Happy New Year everyone! It’s also time to look back at the end of 2023 and pick the winning walk reports for the Highlander monthly competition. Loads of great reports were posted on the Walkhighlands forum in December, some from wonderful hot sunny summer days and others shorter winter rambles as well as a few epic winter high level camps. One of those awesome summit camps wins the £100 Highlander prize voucher. Congratulations to Jaxter for The incredible power of awe – Sgor Gaoith winter summit camp – that dip must have been beyond chilly! The £50 runner up is Milo12 for Neist

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Posted in Magazine, News

Beavers released in Cairngorms National Park

The first beavers to be translocated to the Cairngorms are settling into their new home after arriving in the National Park earlier this week. A pair of Eurasian beavers have been released on Rothiemurchus, with Lorna Slater MSP – Scottish Government Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity – there to offer a helping hand. A further pair were released the same day on land owned by Wildland Cairngorms Ltd. The Cairngorms National Park Authority, working with local land managers and the Beaver Trust oversaw the operation, which took place on Monday 18 December. This follows the Park Authority

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Posted in Magazine, News

Beavers to be released in Cairngorms National Park

NatureScot has today approved a licence application from the Cairngorms National Park Authority to release up to six beaver families at agreed sites in the upper River Spey catchment. The decision will help increase the current range of beavers in Scotland, as set out as a priority in Scotland’s Beaver Strategy 2022-2045. The approval marks the fifth catchment to which beavers have either been officially granted permission to remain or have been released. Populations are already established in Tayside, on the Forth, in Knapdale and Loch Lomond. The application from the Park Authority was assessed by NatureScot in line with

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Posted in News

Spectacular Glencoe and a Canine Companion Remembered

The results are in for November’s Highlander trip report of the month competition: “The first proper winter snows provided some fabulous trip reports and we’ve also been enjoying the last of the autumn colours on some of your lower level outings. For November the £100 Highlander prize voucher goes to johnbythell for Spectacular day above Glencoe Mountain Resort – a fab wee taster of winter to come with just a dusting of snow to set off the mountains. The £50 runner up is Collaciotach for An Cù. Tha na laithean a’ dol Seachad… the days flash past – a wonderful photo tribute to a

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Posted in Magazine, News

Gear review: winter gloves and mitts

Gloves are an important pack item for hillwalkers all year round, but in the winter months multiple pairs to cover different conditions can be needed. Mitts provide the most warmth, keeping your fingers together, but also reduce dexterity compared to gloves. Many hikers carry thin liner gloves, perhaps mitts to wear over them, plus potentially a shell with a windproof and/or waterproof membrane (though in our experience none will keep completely dry). The gloves in this review all have at least windproof membranes. Highlander Mountain Glove RRP: £17.99Weight: 140g (S)Fabric: polyester with Taslan reinforcement on palm and underside, Ab-Tex waterproof/breathable

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Posted in Accessories, Gear reviews, Magazine

Gear Review: Headtorches

As the days get shorter it becomes essential to carry a headtorch on longer walks – you’ll either be starting in the dark for longer days, or need a torch in case you don’t make it back before dusk. They can also be a real boon in emergency situations to help rescuers locate you. In winter I tend to carry two, as I have experienced the failure of a torch out on the hill. Others are happy to rely on a fully-charged spare battery – though not all models allow battery swapping. As headtorches have advanced so have the features.

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Posted in Accessories, Gear reviews, Magazine

Entries open for Wild Places exhibition

To celebrate its 40th year, conservation charity, the John Muir Trust (JMT) is inviting writers, photographers, sculptors, videographers, podcasters, and outdoor enthusiasts to share their creative vision of freedom for wild places. The best entries will have their work featured in an exhibition at the Wild Space visitor centre in Pitlochry during spring 2024. The overall winner will receive a week-long artist in residence opportunity at a JMT site, working on a project in collaboration with the Trust for a future exhibition. Speaking about the exhibition, wildlife photographer and judge Andy Howard said: “As someone that spends so much time

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Posted in Magazine, News


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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.