Forres set to celebrate Walkers are Welcome

Posted on March 2, 2017 by Helen Webster

To celebrate the fact that the Forres area has achieved ‘Walkers are Welcome’ status, local organisations have come together to arrange a long-weekend of walks, running from the 31st March to 2nd April. The Walkers are Welcome accreditation is given to towns who can show they have excellent facilities for walkers, such as waymarked routes, well-maintained paths and active walking groups. To showcase what’s on offer in the area, groups involved in securing the accreditation are putting on a selection of free walks in the spring. The weekend kicks off on the afternoon of Friday 31st March with Forres Footpaths…

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Statement on Loch Lomond & Trossachs bylaws from the Ramblers

Posted on February 28, 2017 by Helen Webster

The following statement has been made by Ramblers Scotland, on the new camping bylaws which come into force on 1st March: “New byelaws are being introduced on 1 March 2017, banning free camping at the most popular spots in Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park from March-September each year. We believe the park should have tackled any issues with over-use and anti-social behaviour by investing in low-cost campsites and enforcing existing laws. Brendan Paddy, Director of Ramblers Scotland, said: “We’re disappointed that the park is going ahead with this plan. It undermines Scottish access rights by providing too few…

Posted in Access issues

Major boost for Scotland’s red squirrels thanks to Lottery funding

Posted on February 24, 2017 by Helen Webster

An army of 800 volunteers will help secure the long-term survival of major red squirrel populations in three key areas after the Scottish Wildlife Trust secured a grant of £2.46 million from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for the Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels – Developing Community Action project. Over the next five years the project will enlist volunteers from communities in three key regions to carry out practical work to protect and strengthen red squirrel populations in their local area, and in turn safeguard squirrels across Scotland. The project aims to provide high quality training and support to hundreds of…

Posted in Nature

Glenmore Lodge warns of ‘marginal conditions’ on the mountains this weekend

Posted on February 23, 2017 by Helen Webster

Marginal conditions in the mountains this winter have led to uncertainty and difficult decision-making when planning journeys – whether heading for the Munros or for climbing trips. Because of this Glenmore Lodge, Scotland’s National Outdoor Training Centre, has issued advice to all mountaineers on how to get the best out of their mountain journeys. Shaun Roberts, Principal of Glenmore Lodge, and a mountaineer of 30 years’ experience, said: “This is a very different winter to those we have become used to in Scotland. If you are planning to travel to high ground this weekend for Munro tops, or maybe to…

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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…

Posted in Nature

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’,…

Posted in Magazine, Photography

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…

Posted in Magazine, Our picks

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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