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

Fort William Mountain Festival 2019 programme announced

Posted on December 7, 2018 by Helen Webster

The Fort William Mountain Festival 2019 programme has been announced with a mix of inspiring presentations, world-class film screenings, mountain skills workshops and exhibitions, to be held from Wednesday 20 to Sunday 24 February 2019. Rod Pashley, Chairman of The Highland Mountain Culture Association, organisers of the Fort William Mountain Festival, said: “Celebrating the wild landscape that surrounds us in Fort William and Lochaber is the inspiration behind the Mountain Festival. The mountains and glens influence our culture in many ways, whether it is the beauty of the landscape, our engagement with it or the opportunities we find in it.…

Posted in News

Dates released for Banff Mountain Film tour

Posted on December 6, 2018 by Helen Webster

The Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour is celebrating its 10th year of touring the UK and Ireland, bringing over 100 adrenaline-packed shows to almost 60 venues from January – May 2019. Scottish dates are first, kicking off in Edinburgh on 19 January and then showing at Glasgow, Stirling, Inverness and finally Pitlochry on 2 February. The Tour features two different collections of brand-new films from the world’s most intrepid filmmakers, starring pioneers and explorers tackling extraordinary expeditions in the wildest corners of the planet. “We’re thrilled to have reached 10 years of bringing the Banff Mountain Film Festival World…

Posted in Magazine, News

Kinloch Hourn Road to remain closed until mid-2019

Posted on December 5, 2018 by Helen Webster

Highland Council has confirmed that the road to Kinloch Hourn is not likely to be re-opened until the middle of 2019 following a massive landslip in November. The road gives access to a number of Munros and Corbetts as well as the path to Barrisdale Bay from Kinloch Hourn. Over nine thousand tonnes of soil and rock swept down the slope just before the Loch Quoich dam on 10 November blocking the Glen Garry road that leads to Kinloch Hourn. The landslip took out the main power supply to Skye and most of the island was without power for a…

Posted in Access issues, Magazine, News

Gear review: Walking socks

Posted on December 3, 2018 by Helen Webster

For most walkers socks are one of the most important but least considered items of kit. With us for every step of the way…

Posted in Accessories, Gear reviews, Magazine

More Scots heading to the great outdoors

Posted on November 28, 2018 by Helen Webster

Visits to the outdoors have hit record levels in Scotland, a new survey suggests…

Posted in Access issues, Magazine, News

Gear Review: Alpkit Keeshond women’s fleece

Posted on November 20, 2018 by Helen Webster

Recommended Price: £55 Weight: 410g (size 10) This is a very warm and comfortable fleece from Alpkit. Most of the material is a high pile, fluffy fabric, with a much stretchier gridded fleece down the sides including armpits and around the cuffs. This combination seems to work well, with reasonably good wicking properties. A single chunky full-length front zip has a baffle behind it and there are two generous non-zipped hand warmer pockets. A smaller Napolean pocket at the chest will take a mobile phone or GPS but I don’t find this the most comfortable place to store these items,…

Posted in Gear reviews, Midlayers