Bumper year for Hen Harrier project

Posted on November 29, 2017 by Helen Webster

As part of efforts to conserve hen harriers, 21 estates across Scotland have now joined the Heads Up for Harriers project in 2017. This year has seen a bumper number of 37 young successfully fledging from nests located on 7 of the 21 participating estates. This is the highest number of fledged birds ever for the Partnership for Action Against Wildlife Crime Scotland (PAW) Scotland project, led by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH). As in previous years, estates have agreed to have cameras installed on their land to monitor nesting hen harriers and help determine reasons affecting survival. A total of…

Posted in Nature

Clachaig Winter Lectures set for February

Posted on November 26, 2017 by Helen Webster

The Clachaig Inn in Glencoe will again be hosting its Winter Mountain Safety Lectures in February. Usually attracting a lively gathering of hill walkers, climbers and skiers and hill-goers the evenings will run each Tuesday in February 2018. These evenings have run every year since 1985, and are intended to provide a last minute reminder of some of the preparations and skills to have to hand before venturing into the Scottish winter hills. The events are free and the Inn aims to raise £2000 in total by having a weekly draw with some great prizes donated by the sponsors.

Posted in News

Review: Women’s Keen Terradora Waterproof boot

Posted on November 25, 2017 by Helen Webster

Recommended Price: £120 Weight (per boot): 363g This is a lightweight fabric mid-height boot with a waterproof membrane specifically designed for women. I’ve been testing it on a wide variety of walks and all-day Munro hikes over the last few months. Founded in 2003 by Martin Keen who wanted a comfortable sandal that would protect his toes whilst sailing, the US company has grown into a footwear giant and is known amongst walkers for its high protective rands, wide toe-box and comfortable fit. This women’s Terradora model moves a little from that original image with the focus on a lightweight,…

Posted in Footwear, Gear reviews

Mend our Mountains: Make One Million campaign comes to Scotland

Posted on November 20, 2017 by Helen Webster

Mountaineering Scotland and the Outdoor Access Trust for Scotland (OATS) are leading a campaign to raise £100,000 to support two essential Scottish mountain path projects – joined by Walkhighlands as offical media partner. The path restoration projects are one in each of Scotland’s two National Parks, and are part of a GB-wide initiative, Mend Our Mountains: Make One Million, coordinated by the British Mountaineering Council (BMC) in collaboration with 15 National Parks. Sponsorship is provided by Cotswold Outdoor and Snow+Rock, two of Britain’s leading outdoor retailers. In Scotland, the first target is one of the nation’s most heavily eroded mountain…

Posted in Access issues, Nature, News, Walkhighlands news

Scottish Avalanche forecasts to start 15 December

Posted on November 11, 2017 by Helen Webster

The SportScotland Avalanche Information Service will start publishing its detailed forecasts for the Scottish Mountains on Friday 15 December. The six mountain areas covered are Northern Cairngorms, Southern Cairngorms, Lochaber, Creag Meagaidh, Glencoe and Torridon. Each report covers snow, avalanche, and climbing conditions. The reports are available from the website or via mobile phone. The SAIS is also asking any walkers or climbers who see an avalanche to report it to them. This can be done on line from the SAIS website. As well as the forecasts, the website also contains a wealth of information about snow and avalanches generally…

Posted in News

Winter returns to Scotland’s mountains

Posted on November 8, 2017 by Helen Webster

Hill walkers and climbers are being urged to stay safe as they prepare to enjoy what for many is the most rewarding season of the year. With winter now starting to bite, many hillwalkers and climbers will be looking out their ice axes, crampons and headtorches. But mountaineering experts have stressed that it takes much more than this to be ready for winter. Mountaineering Scotland has highlighted the high quality of online information which can be easily accessed before heading for the hills. Mountain Safety Adviser Heather Morning said: “There are some excellent resources for mountain weather information. Check out…

Posted in News

Breeding success for re-introduced red squirrels

Posted on November 6, 2017 by Helen Webster

A project by Trees for Life relocating red squirrels to their old forest homes in northwest Scotland has been boosted by evidence of breeding and natural expansion by the new populations. The conservation charity is reintroducing squirrels to suitable native woodlands in the Highlands, from which the species has been lost. Because reds travel between trees and avoid crossing large open spaces, they can’t return to these isolated forest fragments on their own. “Early indications are that this could be a real wildlife success story. The new squirrel populations are not only flourishing and breeding in their new homes, they…

Posted in Nature

A82 daytime road closures by Loch Lomond

Posted on November 5, 2017 by Helen Webster

Motorists are facing a 55-mile detour next month amid plans to close part of the A82 for nearly two weeks. The A82 between Tarbet and Crianlarich will be closed between 8am and 6pm on weekdays from Monday 6th November to 21st November. The road will be open outside those times, and at weekends. Road crews are gearing up to begin a major package of road improvements worth over £1M starting next week. Starting on Monday 6 November, works teams totalling over 90 operatives and associated plant and delivery vehicles will complete a number of schemes on the route over a…

Posted in Access issues

Get Ready For Winter In The Mountains: Facebook Live Q&A event

Posted on October 31, 2017 by Helen Webster

Next week Mountaineering Scotland is hosting a live Facebook Q&A session when an expert panel, led by Mountain Safety Adviser Heather Morning, will answer questions on mountaineering in winter. The panel will answer questions sent in both in advance and while they’re live ‘on air’, and offering essential advice to help people get the most out of Scotland’s mountains this winter, whether they’re venturing out into the hills under snow for the first time or could just do with a refresher or a particular piece of advice. The panel will be drawn from mountain rescue team members and experts from…

Posted in News

Review: Osprey Tempest 30l women’s backpack

Posted on October 31, 2017 by Helen Webster

RRP Price: £100 Weight: 86g Osprey’s Tempest 30 litre pack has been my all-year rucksack of choice for the last 4 years, except when carrying a tent. It has seen me through numerous hill and lower level walks, my Munro compleation in the Skye Cuillin, a 10 day Tour de Mont Blanc, and a number of other Alpine hut trips and Scottish bothy multi-days involving walking and scrambling. Whilst it probably has a couple more years wear left, my old pack had abrasion holes in the bottom requiring DIY duct tape repairs and a few holes in the mesh on…

Posted in Gear reviews, Magazine, Rucksacks