Walkers could fund new Glencoe rescue helicopter

Posted on August 5, 2010 by Helen Webster

The leader of Glencoe Mountain Rescue Team has suggested that a new civilian rescue helicopter be based in Fort William and funded through voluntary donations. John Grieve told the Herald that it would cost £2 million a year to have a helicopter based near Ben Nevis and that it could also be used for searches and rescues in Glencoe, Skye, Torridon, and the Cairngorms and Killin areas. At the moment these areas including Fort William and Glencoe are served by RAF search and rescue and the coastguard helicopter from Stornaway. Mr Grieve told the Herald that a new helicopter might…

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Sniffer dogs hot on the hog trail in Uists

Posted on August 4, 2010 by Helen Webster

Specially-trained sniffer dogs are now being used in the hunt to search and locate hedgehogs which can prey on the eggs of native bird populations. The dogs are being used by the Uist Wader Project (UWP) as part of an ongoing drive to rid the Western Isles of the non-native hedgehogs. New dog handler Stephen Robinson is in place to help the team along with golden labrador Misca, who is fully trained and will mainly be used on the moorland on the east side of Benbecula, and parts of North Uist. She is expected to be extremely effective, especially in…

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Events mark St Kilda evacuation 80 years ago

Posted on August 3, 2010 by Helen Webster

Two cultural events will take place this month to mark the 80th anniversary of the evacuation of St Kilda which falls on 29 August. The Islands Book Trust, with support from the National Trust for Scotland which owns St Kilda, will be staging a four-day conference in Benbecula from 11 -14 August to explore how the Western Isles have been portrayed in literature over the centuries and to dispel some common myths. Speakers will come from a wide variety of backgrounds, and will include several with direct links to St Kilda including John MacDonald – son of Calum MacDonald (1908-1979)…

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15% TISO August discount for MCofS and JMT

Posted on August 3, 2010 by Helen Webster

Outdoor retailer is offering a 15% discount for the month of August to members of either the Mountaineering Council of Scotland (MCofS) or the John Muir Trust (JMT). The promotion applies to full cost items only and excludes some items such as GPS and kayaks. The offer extends to members of clubs with MCofS membership but to get the discount they need to show their club membership as well as a copy of a letter which has been sent out to club secretaries. JMT members have to show the covering letter sent out with the most recent Members News –…

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Glencoe hosts wildlife photography

Posted on August 2, 2010 by Helen Webster

Highlights from last year’s British Wildlife Photography Awards are now on display in Glencoe. The exhibition can be seen at the National Trust for Scotland’s Glencoe Visitor Centre until Monday 30 August. The competition has captured the imagination of thousands of UK and international photographers who, collectively, have created a stunning and innovative series of images which showcase British wildlife at its best. With photos hailing from Scotland and beyond, the NTS says it is proud to give Scots the chance to see some of the most breathtaking pictures of the natural world first hand and that visitors are sure…

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£1 charge to climb Ben Nevis mooted

Posted on August 1, 2010 by Helen Webster

According to a report on STV, The Nevis Partnership is calling for a £1 charge for walkers who want to climb the mountain. The partnership said the fee was necessary to continue footpath work on the moutnain. Manager Brian Wilshaw told STV, “Ben Nevis attracts more than 160,000 ascents every year, which means that the access track needs constant maintenance. “We would like everyone who goes up the Ben to pay just £1, which would secure our future and the future of the maintenance of the Ben track. That small donation would make all the difference.” The Nevis Partnership, chaired…

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New online deer stalking information service

Posted on August 1, 2010 by Helen Webster

A new online information service for hill walkers about deer stalking activities has been launched today by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH). The pilot service will complement the current Hillphones service which provides a recorded message for the estates taking part and also builds on the out of print publication “Heading for the Scottish Hills”. The website covers estates within the Hillphones and Blackmount areas, but SNH says that it hopes to include more estates before the end of August. It is map based, and you can also search for stalking information by typing in the relevant hill name and then…

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Sandwood Bay path appeal

Posted on July 30, 2010 by Helen Webster

The John Muir Trust is appealing for funds to repair the path leading to the iconic Sandwood Bay, one of Britain’s most remote beaches. The Trust, which owns and protects the bay, in northwest Sutherland, is aiming to repair the path using local materials and labour. Parts of the four mile footpath are suffering from excessive erosion, which is starting to cause damage to the surrounding peatland. The repairs will cost £27,000. John Hutchison, chairman of the John Muir Trust said, “Sandwood is one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. The beauty of the area means it is…

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15% produce own midge repellant

Posted on July 28, 2010 by Helen Webster

A new study has revealed that a lucky 15% of the population produces their own midge repellant. Researchers from Aberdeen University and Rothamsted Research studying the feeding habits of the Scottish biting midge found that those were spared bites produced a specific mixture of two chemicals, geranylacetone and methylheptenone. The researchers hope that the results will eventually lead to the developement of a new repellant based on these chemicals. The research was conducted during peak midge season and involved over 300 contestants and spectators at the Loch Ness Duathlon. It also found that tall men and larger women with a…

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Three Scottish eagles poisoned last year

Posted on July 24, 2010 by Helen Webster

Two golden eagles and a sea eagle were among 28 illegally poisoned Scottish birds of prey last year. A report published by RSPB Scotland indicates that human killing continues to have a serious impact on the populations of some of the country’s most vulnerable species. The report states that in 2009, 21 buzzards, 4 red kites, 2 golden eagles and 1 white-tailed eagle, the latter gifted to Scotland from Norway as part of a reintroduction programme, were among the victims in 46 poisoning cases confirmed by Scottish Government testing. Illegal killings, through shooting, nest destruction or the use of spring…

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