BBC Winterwatch comes to the Cairngorms

Posted on January 28, 2019 by Helen Webster

Winterwatch returns to BBC Two this week – and they will be broadcasting live from the Cairngorms National Park, just a few miles from Walkhighlands HQ. Presenters Chris Packham, Michaela Strachan and Gillian Burke will host the wildlife extravaganza, kicking off the year in one of the toughest places in the country for our animals. The freezing temperatures and blanket of snow make this an extreme environment to call home, and the team will explore how the local wildlife adapts to get through this toughest of seasons. The team will be back to the same location for both Springwatch and…

Posted in Magazine, News

Mountaineering double bill to headline Braemar Mountain Festival

Posted on January 24, 2019 by Helen Webster

One of the world’s best all-round climbers will speak alongside the second Scottish woman in history to climb Everest at the Braemar Mountain Festival 2019.

Posted in Magazine

Review: Hostile Habitats – Scotland’s Mountain Environment

Posted on January 23, 2019 by Helen Webster

The original guide to Scotland’s mountain environment aimed at hillwalkers and climbers has just been updated with a new edition. When Hostile Habitats was first published in 2006 it brought together information on the full context of Scotland’s hills – geology, landscape, flora and fauna, and human history – into one accessibly-written guidebook aimed at hillwalkers. The book proved popular and this second edition keeps to the same arrangement of nine chapters, written by different experts, but has been expanded and updated to reflect changes in understanding. A hefty hardback, this is a book to dip in and out of…

Posted in Books, Gear reviews, Magazine

Peebles Outdoor Film Festival programme announced

Posted on January 12, 2019 by Helen Webster

The Peebles Outdoor Film Festival has revealed a stellar programme for 2019, with mountain bike legend Hans Rey, outdoor swimmer and TV star Calum Maclean, plus adventurer and Paddle Against Plastic founder Cal Major among the headline names coming to the Eastgate Theatre, Peebles over the weekend of 25-27 January. Now in its fifth year, the festival offers a celebration of outdoor and mountain culture in all its forms, from inspiring speakers and award-winning adventure films to outdoor sessions led by local activity providers. Now a major annual event, more than 1,200 people attended the festival in 2018. In addition…

Posted in Magazine

Gear Review: Winter Base Layers

Posted on December 27, 2018 by Helen Webster

Sprayway 1/2 Zip Roola RRP: £55 (widely available for less)Weight: 195g (men’s large) The lightweight Roola is 50% merino wool and 50% polyester, combined to give a very comfortable base layer with a moderate amount of stretch. It’s extremely soft to touch, quick to dry, wicks well and gives a reasonable amount of warmth – though it’s not as toasty as some of the other bases featured below and will require more layers in the coldest conditions. I do like having a half-zip on winter base layers to give a venting option when needed. It comes in two colours and sizes from S to…

Posted in Baselayers, Gear reviews, Magazine

Enjoy the gift of NNRs this Christmas – Natural Winter Wonderlands near you

Posted on December 24, 2018 by Helen Webster

Scotland’s National Nature Reserves (NNRS) are the perfect places to clear away the cobwebs and walk-off that extra turkey, or nut roast, this Christmas say Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH). SNH welcomed more than 650,000 visitors to its NNRs last year and 10 of the most popular are highlighted below. With an extra few days off work for many of us, the festive season is a great time to get out and explore your local NNR, and although it might be a little colder it is often the most attractive time of year. Whether you want to look for wildlife, meet…

Posted in Magazine, News

Call for progress on protected status for Scotland’s beavers

Posted on December 21, 2018 by Helen Webster

A number of leading Scottish wildlife charities and individuals with an interest in conservation have signed an open letter to the First Minister, published in The Guardian today calling for a firm date to be set on granting European Protected Species status to beavers in Scotland. This letter comes one year after the announcement that legislation to secure European Protected Species status for beavers would be laid down in the Scottish Parliament in the first half of 2018. Susan Davies, Director of Conservation, Scottish Wildlife Trust said: “In November 2016, through the leadership of the Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham, the Scottish Government…

Posted in Magazine, Nature

Gear Review: Mammut Alnasca Knit Low GTX shoe

Posted on December 15, 2018 by Helen Webster

RRP: £149Weight: 330g (Women’s size 5.5) The first thing you notice about this approach shoe is the snug fit. The inner is made from an almost seamless 3D-knitted stretchy “sock” – luckily there are pull ties to help ease them on. I’ve been testing them both on easier day walks and tougher hill-walks for the last few months. So far the sock design seems to prevent any rubbing where the toe flexes – something that often causes a problem with walking shoes. Initially I felt the fit was on the narrow side but, having adjusted the low-profile laces to their maximum and…

Posted in Footwear, Gear reviews, Magazine

Daily avalanche forecasts to begin for winter season

Posted on December 13, 2018 by Helen Webster

The Scottish Avalanche Information Service daily forecasts for the 2018-19 winter season begin on Friday 14th December.

Posted in Magazine, News

Historic Ballater bridge reopens

Posted on December 11, 2018 by Helen Webster

Polhollick Footbridge, an important link on the Seven Bridges walk near Ballater, has reopened following major repairs.

Posted in Access issues, Magazine, News