Ice warning for Scottish lochs

Posted on December 6, 2010 by Helen Webster

With ice forming over the lochs in some of Scotland’s national nature reserves, Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) has issued a wide appeal to those enjoying the frozen outdoors to play safe. Last winter a group of visitors were seen running across frozen Loch Kinord in Muir of Dinnet National Nature Reserve. Reserve manager, Catriona Reid, said she is concerned some may try it again. She said: “It’s great to see people getting out to enjoy Scotland’s stunning winter landscape, and national nature reserves are magical places to visit in these conditions. Muir of Dinnet is a real winter wonderland with…

Posted in Access issues, News

MCofS Winter Lecture series

Posted on December 4, 2010 by Helen Webster

The Mountaineering Council of Scotland (MCofS) has announced a packed programme for this year’s Winter Lectures. As well as regular venues, The Clachaig Inn, Glencoe and The Mountain Cafe, Aviemore, the MCofS has teamed up with outdoor retailer TISO and seven lectures will take place at their stores across Scotland. Anyone attending the evenings will have the chance to win a Polar Buff worth £23. The first lecture kicks off in Aviemore on 12 January, with The Clachaig hosting events on Tuesday evenings, The Mountain Cafe on Wednesday evenings and TISO stores on Thursdays. The Mountain Cafe is also offering…

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Avalanche warning for Arthur's Seat and elsewhere

Posted on December 4, 2010 by Helen Webster

Walkers are being warned of the high risk of avalanches in the Pentlands and even Arthur’s Seat in the capital after heavy snow falls. The Scottish Avalanche Information Service (SAIS), which is currently providing weekend forecasts for two popular walking and climbing areas, has issued a hazard warning of high risk of avalanche in the Northern Cairngorms. Edinburgh City Council said walkers should avoid slopes which are most heavily loaded with snow, since the added weight could trigger avalanches. Arthur’s Seat, in the heart of the city, has had a thick covering of snow for a few days now and…

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Win Chris Townsend's Scotland book

Posted on November 30, 2010 by Helen Webster

Walkhighlands has teamed up with Cicerone to offer the chance to win one of two copies of their latest guide in the World Mountain Ranges series, ‘Scotland’ by legendary walker Chris Townsend. This 560-page magnum opus is the comprehensive guide to all of Scotland’s regions for the mountain adventurer, from the Southern Uplands to the Cairngorms, Torridon and the jagged peaks of Skye. Illustrated with superb photographs, the book was seven years in the making and is set to become a bible for all Scotland’s hillgoers, as well as making an ideal Christmas gift. Whether you are planning a day…

Posted in Walkhighlands news

Avalanche service starts limited forecasts due to early snow

Posted on November 27, 2010 by Helen Webster

In view of the current snow cover and weather forecast the Scottish Avalanche Information Service (SAIS) will be providing weekend Avalanche Hazard reports for the Lochaber and Northern Cairngorms areas until the full service starts on the 16th December 2010. View the current forecasts for Northern Cairngorms and Lochaber at the SAIS website. There is heavy snowfall in these areas, particularly the Northern Cairngorms, and the avalanche risk should be assessed before planning a route. An early avalanche in the Cairngorms was captured on film and posted on the Walkhighlands forum ealier in November, the footage can be viewed here.…

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Feral beavers to be recaptured

Posted on November 25, 2010 by Helen Webster

Beavers currently loose in parts of Tayside are to be recaptured. The animals are being recaptured because it is illegal to allow their escape or release into the wild and because their welfare may be at risk. There was no consultation with local people; there was no licence issued for their release; there is no monitoring of their welfare; and there is no certainty that they are the appropriate species or type of beaver for Scotland. Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) said, “There is a licensed and carefully managed trial reintroduction underway at Knapdale in Argyll. This trial is being carried…

Posted in Nature

TV documentary looking for people completing Munros

Posted on November 24, 2010 by Helen Webster

Don Productions are making a documentary about Scottish mountaineering, and are looking to team up with some people about to complete the Munros. If you are going to complete the Munros over the winter 2010/2011 and would like to participate in a documentary please get in touch on the email address shown below. Filming will take place in December and January and will be broadcast on NHK (the public broadcaster in Japan) in February. The documentary will follow a number of people as they explore Scotland’s mountains over the winter and has a specific focus on preparation and safety. Japan…

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Gold company appeals Tyndrum refusal

Posted on November 24, 2010 by Helen Webster

Scotgold Resources Ltd, the company behind the plans to re-open and extend the gold mine at Cononish near Tyndrum, have appealed against the decision to refuse planning permission made earlier this year by the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. The decision on the appeal will now be made by the Scottish Government. The Australian company behind the plans has recently been undertaking exploratory tests in nearby Glen Orchy, just outside the National Park boundary. The Company says it is hopeful that there might be a way to access this potential source of gold and silver at Beinn Udlaidh,…

Posted in Nature, News

Fawcett biog wins Boardman Tasker prize

Posted on November 22, 2010 by Helen Webster

A biography of climber Ron Fawcett has won this year’s prestigious mountain literature award, the Boardman Tasker Prize. Ron Fawcett – Rock Athlete, written by by Ron Fawcett with Ed Douglas was described by the judges as, “a frank and engaging portrait of an unassuming yet remarkable climber; an inspirational subject and a story shot through with honesty and integrity. The award was announced on Friday 19 November at the Kendal Mountain Festival from a shortlist of five including a novel from New Zealand, works of philosophy, autobiography and mountain history as well as recent drama. Chair of the judging…

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Walkhighlands scoops double at tourism awards

Posted on November 20, 2010 by Helen Webster

Walkhighlands has won two awards in this year’s Highlands and Islands Tourism Awards. The award for Best use of Social Media was given for the popular interactive features on Walkhighlands which include hill-bagger’s maps, individual walker’s diaries, a Facebook application, and the lively forum. Walkhighlands also won the Most Enterprising Business in the Great Outdoors category, beating strong competition from a wide range of businesses across the Scottish Highlands. Walkhighlands co-founder Paul Webster was delighted by the double win and said, “We’ve come such a long way from setting up Walkhighlands in 2007 with a budget of just £30 to…

Posted in Walkhighlands news