A dozen outdoor organisations are together calling for a new ‘Outdoor Recreation Champion’ role to be created within the Scottish Government, to ensure that everyone in society benefits from being active in nature. The new cross-departmental role is one of several innovative ideas within a joint manifesto published today by Scottish Outdoor Recreation Alliance (SORA), aimed at supporting the booming demand for the outdoors. SORA’s Manifesto for the Outdoors also calls for: A guarantee that every primary and secondary school pupil has at least one week away at an outdoor centre Long-term strategic investment in infrastructure such as facilities, ranger services, education and skills training More support for BAME communities and people in deprived areas to…
Scottish winter hillwalkers needed for survey
Do you regularly head out into the Scottish hills in winter? The Scottish Avalanche Information Service has teamed up with Stirling University to find out more about how walkers, climbers and skiers plan their trips. The researchers are keen to hear from everyone who would normally (assuming no Covid-restrictions) go out at least a couple of times in winter. Researchers are hoping as many people as possible will complete the survey from novice walkers to experienced mountaineers. The aim of the survey is to better understand how published avalanche reports and the avalanche service is used and understood by climbers,…
Scottish Walking Awards 2021
Scotland’s leading walking charities have launched a new National Award to celebrate the people, organisations and communities who are supporting others to enjoy an active lifestyle. The first-ever Scottish Walking Awards will showcase a broad range of inspiring walking projects – from businesses, councils, land managers and housing associations to the journalists, staff and local volunteers who inspire others to step out. The Scottish Walking Awards launches on 4 February 2021, and features ten categories celebrating a wide range of contributions to getting people moving more in Scotland – as well as an overall Champion of Champions. The awards are…
Covid and mountain safety
With very wintry weather continuing, Mountaineering Scotland and Scottish Mountain Rescue are reminding people to keep within their limits, be aware of the extra challenges of winter conditions, and to remember the Scottish Outdoor Access Code applies in winter too. While there is no shortage of snow in the mountains – usually ideal conditions for winter walkers, climbers and skiers – COVID-19 restrictions on travel have meant that for most people access to the high mountains is either limited or totally out of reach. However, many people are being creative and venturing out to explore and enjoy what their local…
£100k improvements planned for popular Scottish trails
NatureScot is funding almost £111,000 of improvements to the path network, including many on Scotland’s Great Trails such as the West Highland Way. The aim is to reduce barriers and improve access for all. With a big increase in the number of people heading to the outdoors and connecting with nature over the past year, and more than 70% of the Scottish population living within 5 miles of a Great Trail, much of the work is designed to improve the accessibility of the network. The Clyde Walkway will benefit from around £20,000 for a new wooden boardwalk and the replacement…
Consultation begins on return of lynx to Scotland
An extensive and impartial study to assess people’s views about the possible reintroduction of Eurasian lynx to the Scottish Highlands is being launched this month by a new partnership of the charities SCOTLAND: The Big Picture, Trees for Life and Vincent Wildlife Trust. Ecological research has shown that extensive areas of Scotland could support lynx, but the charities say returning the shy and elusive animal is less about science and more about people’s willingness to live alongside a species that’s become forgotten on these shores. The year-long Lynx to Scotland consultation will impartially and accurately assess public and stakeholder attitudes around the idea of lynx reintroduction, including in rural…
Hill walking paradise gets path upgrade
A popular route up one of our most iconic hills will be easier for walkers, and less damaging to the mountain, thanks to work that has just been completed on Quinag, in the north west Highlands. The work was undertaken by ACT Heritage and managed by the John Muir Trust, who maintain the mountain’s extensive path network which provides access to the summit and stunning views over the peaks and lochans of Sutherland, and beyond. It was funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, through the Coigach & Assynt Living Landscape Partnership scheme, and through the generosity of John Muir…
Data shows most Scots staying local for walks
An analysis of walkhighlands traffic data suggests that most people in Scotland are respecting the Coronavirus travel restrictions when taking their outdoor exercise. There has been a huge shift away from searches for walks in remoter parts of the Highlands, with record people searching out walks close to the cities of Glasgow and Edinburgh, and the rest of the central belt. “We all tend to get discouraged by stories on social media about people flouting the rules and travelling wherever they like,” said site co-founder Helen Webster. “Undoubtedly such people exist, and they tend to generate a lot of noise…
Scottish Avalanche Forecasts start for winter 20/21
Avalanche hazard warnings will be produced daily for all Scottish mountain areas from today Friday 11 December. Forecasts will be provided by the Scottish Avalanche Information Service (SAIS) for the following areas: Lochaber, Glen Coe, Creag Meagaidh, Southern Cairngorms, Northern Cairngorms and Torridon until 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 season there were 241 avalanches, 27 of them human triggered and one fatality; the previous year there were three deaths. Hillwalkers and…
Avalanches in Scotland – interview with Mark Diggins
As wintry conditions develop on the hills, we put questions from Walkhighlands users to Scottish Avalanche Information Service co-ordinator and senior forecaster for the Cairngorms, Mark Diggins. 1. How many avalanches are there in Scotland a year involving walkers and what are the most common causes? During last winter 2019/20, 27 avalanches were human triggered – this basically means that they were set off by people who were traveling in avalanche start zones in avalanche terrain (see diagram below) walkers are equally susceptible in terms of entering this type of terrain when following paths that are covered by snow. For…