Politicians urged to grasp chance to control the spread of vehicle tracks in our hills

Posted on June 17, 2019 by Helen Webster

A coalition of ten conservation charities is calling on the Scottish Parliament to grasp a golden opportunity to introduce stronger controls over vehicle tracks in our hills. The Scottish Parliament is set to vote this week on Planning Bill amendments by Scottish Green Party MSP Andy Wightman, designed to close loopholes that allow landowners to build many of the controversial tracks without planning permission. Research by Scottish Environment LINK Hilltracks group has found that the tracks continue to creep further into wilder landscapes, and that planning loopholes can lead to them being badly-sited and designed. Some tracks have even been built over…

Posted in Access issues, Magazine, Nature

Gear Review: Vaude Power Lizard 2-3 person tent

Posted on June 13, 2019 by Helen Webster

RRP: £525 (currently on offer at various retailers)Weight: 1.5kg When heading out on overnight or multi-day adventures, an ultralight tent can offer one of the biggest savings in weight. We’ve been testing this 2 to 3 person tent from Vaude to see how it measures up. First thing to say is that at 1.5kg including the stuff sack this is really lightweight and packable for a mainstream two-skin tent. Secondly it’s huge – luxuriously big for 2, with an inner base size of 3.2m2, you could fit a third small adult in, but would be perfect for 2 adults and…

Posted in Camping, Gear reviews, Magazine

New Outdoors Award Scheme for Young People

Posted on May 21, 2019 by Helen Webster

Ramblers Scotland has launched a new award scheme to offer young adults a free and inspiring introduction to the outdoors.

Posted in Magazine, News

Path repair begins on popular Munros

Posted on May 13, 2019 by Helen Webster

A £100,000 appeal to fund much needed repairs to Scottish hill paths has reached its target and work has now started on one of two major projects. The Mend Out Mountains: Make One Million appeal, which has run over the last year, is headed by the BMC UK-wide and Mountaineering Scotland north of the border, and aims to raise up to £1 million for pathwork in each of the UK’s national parks. In Scotland the target was £100,000 for work in the Cairngorms National Park and the Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park. Skilled pathworkers began work in April…

Posted in Access issues, Magazine, News

Continued appeal for missing walker Martin Rhodes

Posted on May 9, 2019 by Helen Webster

Police Scotland is continuing to appeal for information relating to missing walker Martin Rhodes, a week on from when he last seen. The 46-year-old from West Yorkshire was last seen around 8.30am on Wednesday, May 1 in Kinlochewe. He was reported missing that evening when he did not return from a walk in the area. Extensive searches were carried out by specialist police officers, mountain rescue volunteers from the Dundonnell, Torridon and RAF teams, the Search Rescue Dogs Association and the HM Coastguard helicopter with no trace of Mr Rhodes being found. Searches have been postponed this week due to…

Posted in News

Gear Review: Osprey Lumina 45 women’s backpack

Posted on May 2, 2019 by Helen Webster

RRP: £220Weight: 0.77g (M) The last thing you need when backpacking is pack that’s heavy before you even start loading up all your equipment, food and water. The Lumina is a women’s specific backpack from Osprey that is ultralight – so light that it is hard to believe it has a full frame or will stand up to the rigours of multi-day camping trips. I like to backpack as light as possible and usually use a frameless pack that requires careful packing to give it some structure; it still has a tendency to take the weight on the shoulders and…

Posted in Gear reviews, Magazine, Rucksacks

Gear Review: Vaude Trail Spacer 18 rucksack

Posted on April 16, 2019 by Helen Webster

Recommended Retail Price: £130Weight: 550g This running vest/rucksack hybrid from Vaude hasn’t so much grown on me as clung to me. Incredibly form-fitting and stretchy in places where packs are usually rigid, once secured by the narrow chest and waist straps and with shoulder straps adjusted it really moves with your body, making it good for running, scrambling and mountain biking as well as general hiking. It’s also very, very comfortable. With a capacity of 18 litres, including the stretchy pockets at the sides and front, the actual body of the pack is just big enough for Scottish summer walking…

Posted in Gear reviews, Magazine, Rucksacks

Gear Review: Bridgedale Mid Weight Stormsock waterproof sock

Posted on April 5, 2019 by Helen Webster

RRP: £32 Available in 2 colours (black and khaki) and 4 unisex UK shoes sizes (3 – 5.5, 6 – 8.5, 9 – 11.5, 12+) I’ve worn waterproof socks regularly for winter running for the last few years, for comfort with unlined footwear and to stop chilblains from being in cold and wet footwear. More recently I’ve also started using them for walking in lightweight boots and trail shoes when I know I’ll end up with wet feet but don’t want the added weight of my waterproof boots. Despite keeping toenails short and taking care to rinse and dry the…

Posted in Accessories, Gear reviews, Magazine

Cairngorms Big Nature Weekend

Posted on April 3, 2019 by Helen Webster

There’s a reason that the BBC Springwatch team are basing themselves here in the Cairngorms National Park in 2019 – it is the most amazing place for wildlife! Organisers of the Cairngorms Nature BIG Weekend are inviting anyone to come and experience the area themselves. The weekend will run from 10-13 May. With over 80 activities taking place across the Cairngorms National Park there will be something for everyone, from families and those who are new to wildlife watching, to the more seasoned nature lover. The weekend kicks off with a dynamic talk from Cairngorms Connect the UK’s biggest and…

Posted in News

Skills for the Hills this Spring

Posted on March 26, 2019 by Helen Webster

Mountaineering Scotland announce a series of evenings in April to brush up your hillwalking skills.

Posted in Magazine, News