£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

Project hopes to save Scotland’s disappearing mountaintop forests

Posted on December 11, 2019 by Helen Webster

A groundbreaking bid to help save Scotland’s almost-vanished mountaintop forests and their wildlife is being launched by Trees for Life, with the creation in the Highlands of what is thought will be the country’s largest planted area of rare high-altitude woodland. Centuries of overgrazing by sheep and deer have left most of Scotland stripped of the once-common, tough, waist-high ‘wee trees’ such as dwarf birch and downy willow – known as ‘montane’ species because they can grow near mountain summits, despite harsh conditions. In a major expansion of action to reverse the loss of these unique woodlands – home to…

Posted in Magazine, Nature

Scottish Dates for Banff Mountain Film Festival

Posted on December 3, 2019 by Helen Webster

The Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour is back for 2020, bringing thrilling adventure films to venues around Scotland this January and February. The Banff Mountain Film Festival is a collection of the world’s best adventure films, starring intrepid explorers on wild expeditions in remote corners of the world. From slacklining in Mexico to ice skating on the spectacular frozen fjords of Sweden, audiences can expect gripping action, soulful journeys and mind-blowing cinematography – all from the comfort of a cinema seat. Scottish dates kick off on 18 January 2020 in Pitlochry with two screenings of different sets of films,…

Posted in Magazine

Gear Review: Gaiters

Posted on November 24, 2019 by Helen Webster

Gaiters can be a divisive piece of outdoor kit – some walkers swear by them for keeping mud and wet undergrowth from soaking their feet and trousers, whilst others find them a fussy hindrance. In the winter season, though, they become truly essential to prevent the snow from entering the top of your boots. Over the last few months we’ve been testing a wide variety of gaiters. Here’s our vedict: Rab Latok Alpine Gaiter GTX Recommended price: £55Weight: 212g pair (women’s medium) Goretex fabric on the legs and reinforced Robic nylon at the ankle has proved to be a breathable…

Posted in Accessories, Gear reviews, Magazine

Winter Mountain Safety Evenings kick off for new season

Posted on November 20, 2019 by Helen Webster

Mountaineering Scotland’s regular series of winter mountain safety evenings start this week. Mountain Safety Advisor Ian Stewart will share photos, videos, personal anecdotes and adventures, and discussing essential skills for winter navigation, avalanche awareness, route choice, equipment, mountain weather and much more. The events will be held in outdoor shops and cost £5 (except 21 November which is £8 including coffee and cake). All proceeds from these lectures will go to local mountain rescue teams or Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance. Tickets can be booked at the website, dates and venues are: 21 November 2019, Edinburgh. Thursday evening at Craigdon, The…

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Wildcats to be re-introduced in Scotland

Posted on November 19, 2019 by Helen Webster

Scottish wildcats bred in captivity are to re-introduced into the wild after funding was secured for the project Situated at the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland’s Highland Wildlife Park near Aviemore, a new re-introduction centre will provide facilities for breeding, veterinary care, remote monitoring and training. It is hoped that the first wildcats will be released into the wild in the Cairngorms in 2022. A report earlier this year found that hybridisation of the native wildcat with domestic cats means the extinction of the species is highly likely without wildcat releases. Over the next six years, RZSS will lead the…

Posted in Magazine, Nature

Mountain safety – clocks go back and torches come out

Posted on October 23, 2019 by Helen Webster

Some of the first snows of winter are expected this weekend. It may still only be October, but hill walkers have been warned they should be prepared for winter conditions. And with the days shortening and clocks going back an hour this weekend, darkness will be coming a lot sooner, making a headtorch an essential piece of kit. “Short days and severe weather put greater demands on your equipment and your own ability and hillcraft,” said Mountaineering Scotland Mountain Safety Adviser Heather Morning. “Now is the time to ‘winterise’ your rucksack – make sure you’re properly prepared for winter weather…

Posted in Magazine

Red squirrels move to Sutherland in new project

Posted on October 19, 2019 by Helen Webster

Conservation charities Trees for Life and Woodland Trust Scotland have partnered up to return red squirrels to a Sutherland wood…

Posted in Magazine, Nature, News