First non-biting midge discovered in Scotland

Posted on February 23, 2017 by Helen Webster

Surveys at Trees for Life’s Dundreggan Conservation Estate near Loch Ness have revealed a range of rare species, including a midge never recorded in the United Kingdom before – underlining the site’s growing reputation as a ‘lost world’ for biodiversity. The discovery of the non-biting midge (Chironomus vallenduuki) by entomologist Peter Chandler brings the total of UK biodiversity firsts found at the estate in Glenmoriston to 11. Other key findings during the charity’s 2016 survey season included two rare gnats whose larvae feed on fungi. One of these (Sciophila varia) is only known from four other UK sites. The other…

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Skye man scoops Scottish Landscape Photographer of the Year

Posted on February 22, 2017 by Helen Webster

Dumfries-born photographer Nick Hanson, has been announced as this year’s winner of the Scottish Landscape Photographer of the Year Award. Skye-based Nick beat off strong competition from thousands of entries submitted from across the globe to win the prestigious accolade with his magnificently evocative images shot in the Scottish Highlands and Islands. His evocative winning images were shot in the Cairngorms, Skye and Glen Affric with his Canon digital camera. They included ‘Autumn colours”, a shot of mist dancing around some golden grasses on a cold night by the side of Loch Pityoulish in the Cairngorms National Park; ‘Glamaig Reflection’,…

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Gamekeeping and mountaineering bodies voice landscape fears

Posted on February 15, 2017 by Helen Webster

Two unlikely allies have joined together to press Scottish Government to develop a land use policy which protects Scotland’s world-renowned landscapes, and ensures access for recreation. The Scottish Gamekeepers Association and Mountaineering Scotland have written a joint letter to Environment Minister Roseanna Cunningham MSP, concerned at the potential impacts fragmented policy may have on Scotland’s rare open landscapes. Both organisations fear a lack of joined up thinking could see the loss of internationally rare landscapes as Scottish Government pursues a policy of large scale afforestation without a blueprint to preserve its celebrated vistas. In the letter to Ms Cunningham the…

Posted in Access issues, Nature

Our pick: Scotland’s east coast beaches

Posted on February 6, 2017 by Helen Webster

We’ve previously posted our picks of the most beautiful beaches in the West Highlands – and our pick of the finest Scottish island beaches. For our latest gallery we undertake a journey down the opposite side of the country to discover Scotland’s stunning east coast beaches. Sinclair’s Bay / Reiss beach, Caithness The vast sweep of Sinclair’s Bay takes in a wide stretch of the Caithness coast between Wick to the south and Duncansby Head to the north. There are two magnificent castles – ancient and baronial at each end, and between them is a vast stretch of the finest…

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Sustrans Scottish survey of walkers and cyclists

Posted on February 3, 2017 by Helen Webster

Sustrans is asking walkers to provide information to help plan the development of walking and cycling paths in Scotland. A large national survey is now open and all walkers and cyclists are being encouraged to take part. The National Walking and Cycling Network (NWCN) is a network of walking and cycling paths and routes in Scotland. The network includes all of Scotland’s Great Trails, Scottish Canal towpaths and the National Cycle Network (NCN). The Sustrans survey aims to assess: The benefits that access to walking and cycling paths and routes bring to the people that use them and; how walking…

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Skills for the Hills Day – 25 March 2017

Posted on February 3, 2017 by Helen Webster

Mountain Aid have announced they will be holding a “Skills for the Hills” day on 25 March in Glasgow. The event is set to inspire, educate and entertain the many who head onto our hills, be they summer hill walkers, all-weather climbers or mountain bikers. It also seeks to encourage the many more who don’t know what they are missing, and signpost some of the ways they can get started. The event will take place in the Strathclyde Suite of Glasgow’s Concert Halls from 10am to 4pm. The event will be officially opened by outdoor broadcaster and journalist Cameron McNeish,…

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Bookings open for Aviemore Adventure Festival 2017

Posted on February 3, 2017 by Helen Webster

The Aviemore Adventure Film Festival is set to return from 9 to 12 March this year hosting hosting a variety of films, talks, workshops and outdoor events. After a successful 2016 Festival, this year’s festival is even bigger than before, packed with a superb line-up of events for the outdoor enthusiast. For the first time outdoor activities and workshops will be included in the programme alongside the mainstay of inspiring talks from leading outdoor athletes and exhilarating film screenings from around the adventure world. The Festival kicks off this year on Thursday 9th March, with a day dedicated to celebrating…

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Hamish Brown scoops Mountain Culture honour

Posted on January 30, 2017 by Helen Webster

Renowned outdoors writer Hamish Brown has been declaed as the winner of the 10th Scottish Award for Excellence in Mountain Culture. The award will be presented to the 82 year old at the Fort William Mountain Festival next month. Hamish was the first person to complete all the Munros in a single journey, and wrote his classic ‘Hamish’s Mountain Walk’ about the adventure. He is the author of many other mountain and walking books, and is regarded as a pioneer in outdoor education. As well as his beloved Scotland, Hamish has had a long-standing love of the mountains of Morocco.…

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Conservation partnership calls on Highland Council to safeguard its Ranger Services

Posted on January 27, 2017 by Helen Webster

Four conservation charities in the Highlands have called upon Highland Council to maintain its Ranger Services which are believed to be under threat as a result of budget cuts. RSPB Scotland, the National Trust for Scotland, the Scottish Wildlife Trust and the John Muir Trust have joined forces to highlight the importance of the Ranger Service to Highland communities, schools and the region’s tourism businesses. The charities believe the Council’s Ranger Services play an important role in engaging people in the natural environment leading to substantial associated benefits in terms of the tourist spend in Highland and health and welfare…

Posted in Access issues, Nature

Trust welcomes SNH work to explain value of Scotland’s Wild Land Areas

Posted on January 26, 2017 by Helen Webster

The John Muir Trust welcomed the publication today by Scottish Natural Heritage of new detailed descriptions of Scotland’s 42 Wild Land Areas, and its draft guidance for developers. John Muir Trust Chief Executive Stuart Brooks said: “We applaud the work that SNH has carried out to create vivid and detailed descriptions of each individual wild land area, which examine landscape, ecology, geology, archaeology and current human activity. “They will help bring to life Scotland’s most beautiful, wild and remote places – turning lines on maps into real places. “We hope these descriptions will serve as much more than an aid…

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