The Scottish Mountaineering Trust (SMT) has approved a grant of £30,000 to the National Trust for Scotland (NTS) for their Mountains for People project which helps care for footpaths at some of the nation’s most popular walking routes. The four year project which started in April 2009 has been given a major boost by the generous contribution which is spread over three years. Buz Whibley, Development Manager for the NTS said: “The Scottish Mountaineering Trust has granted us the generous total of £30,000 over the next three years. This will go a long way to help the continuing progress that…

The current summer ban on wild camping on east Lomondside could be extended to four islands in the loch if proposals announced by the Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park are given the green light. The islands affected are Inchmoan, Inchconnachan, Inchtavannach and Inchcruin. The National Park is currently consulting on three possible solutions to solve what the National Park describes as “issues of wildlife disturbance, litter, vandalism, irresponsible camping and fire lighting”. The consultation will run for the next three months until 18 June. Speaking about the consultation, Grant Moir, Director of Conservation and Visitor Experience at the…

The summer access arrangements for Strathfarrar will begin on Saturday 31 March. Strathfarrar has a locked gate and only a certain number of cars are allowed into the Glen each day. There are no restrictions on pedestrian access or taking a pushbike beyond the locked gate and wild camping is allowed within the terms of the Scottish Access Code but you cannot park overnight in the Glen. There will be no vehicular access on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings. The Mountaineering Council of Scotland (MCofS) negotiates access along the private road with the landowner on behalf of walkers and climbers and…

The early disappearance of winter snow from many Scottish mountains has resulted in a reduced avalanche warning service. From today, Monday 19th March, the SportScotland Avalanche Information Service (SAIS) will only issue forecasts and hazard warnings on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays until the Easter Weekend 8th April 2012. Mountain observation and snowpack information will also continue on these days in the five area blogs. The SAIS says that it will continue to monitor the weather forecast situation and remain on standby in case conditions mean that a daily forecast should be resumed. To view the weekend reports check out the…