Plotting a route back to the hills

Posted on May 15, 2020 by Helen Webster

Mountaineering organisations are working together towards a return to hill walking and climbing in Scotland. As we approach the end of week eight of lockdown, mountaineering organisations in Scotland are asking the hill walking and climbing community to ‘hold the line’ and to avoid travel and stay local for their daily exercise in accordance with the current Scottish Government COVID-19 guidance. Despite an easing of restrictions in England this week, the advice for people in Scotland remains the same – stay home and only go out for essential work, food or health reasons – although people in Scotland may now…

Posted in Access issues, Magazine, News

Lockdown reads for lovers of the outdoors

Posted on March 30, 2020 by Helen Webster

Isolation Shepherd – Iain R. Thomson Delve into the world of remote isolation in this moving and very readable account of a shepherd and young family’s life in Glen Strathfarrar. Set in the mid 1950’s it tells of a world before modern communications and comforts but with many aspects – the mountains around Loch Monar, the relationship between laird and tenant, the tough winter weather, and the working of sheepdogs, that remain to this day. Plenty of photographs help to bring the story to life and the loving descriptions of the landscape mentally teleport you to that remote cottage at…

Posted in Books, Features, Magazine, News, Walkhighlands news

Watch Banff Mountain films at home

Posted on March 26, 2020 by Helen Webster

Need some inspiration while we’re all indoors? The Banff Mountain Film Festival UK & Ireland tour has curated a selection of epic adventure films so you can have your own free adventure screening – from your sofa! “There’s nothing quite like catching up with your buddies at a Banff show to get psyched for adventure,” says tour director Nell Teasdale. “But while we can’t celebrate what we love in person with the adventure community, we can still celebrate it at home – and dream of everything we want to explore, ride, ski, hike, paddle and experience once we get back…

Posted in Magazine

Avalanche forecasts continue during outbreak

Posted on March 21, 2020 by Helen Webster

UPDATE: Forecasts have ceased since this article was published, in line with advice not to undertake mountain activities. The Scottish Avalanche Information Service is to continue providing daily forecasts on snow cover and avalanche risk until 19 April if possible. People are currently visiting the mountains and the avalanche service says it will provide forecasts unless Government travel advice changes. An SAIS spokesman told the BBC: “Given the snow conditions, Easter holidays, and the likelihood of a large number of visitors we will run the service until Sunday 19 April.” “Currently there is a general desire to keep the mountains…

Posted in News

National Parks Photography Winners

Posted on March 13, 2020 by Helen Webster

The UK National Parks and Campaign for National Parks have chosen the winner and runners up of its joint photography competition. Around the theme of a ‘Inspired By Nature’, the competition drew around 1,700 entries from across the 15 National Parks in the UK via social media. Outstanding wildlife shots, landscapes and people blew away the judges. The dramatic winning shot, from Pete Stevens, depicts the spectacle of the natural world as a rare osprey swoops in on its prey in the Cairngorms National Park. Pete said: “I’ve always loved being out and about in Scotland and having spent a…

Posted in Magazine, News, Photography

Gear Review: Kathmandu Aikman fleece jacket

Posted on March 8, 2020 by Helen Webster

Recommended price: £64.99Weight: 430g (women’s size 8) Once ubiquitous, fleece jackets have fallen from favour somewhat in recent years, with many walkers switching to synthetic insulation that offers more warmth to weight. They are, however, usually more breathable which makes them still a great choice when it’s slightly less cold or when your sweating heading uphill. This fleece jacket from Kathmandu is made from Polartec Thermal Pro, a high performance fleece. In addition to the usual soft fleece inner, the outer surface is a knitted structure giving the garment a distinctive look. The surface has proved robust with no piling…

Posted in Gear reviews, Jackets, Magazine, Midlayers

Edinburgh Mountain Film Festival – 15-16 February

Posted on February 5, 2020 by Helen Webster

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

£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

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