walkhighlands



Report finds slow growth for red kites in Northern Scotland

Reintroduced red kite numbers are on the rise throughout much of Scotland, with at least 283 pairs in 2015, but a new Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) report has found the population in the North Scotland continues to grow more slowly than other reintroduced populations. The report updates earlier work and suggests that illegal killing is still considered to be the main reason red kite numbers are not higher in North Scotland. The report, commissioned by SNH and carried out by RSPB’s Centre for Conservation Science, found that, although not at risk of decline, the red kite population in North Scotland…

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Posted in Nature

Peebles call for adventure filmakers

Following the success of its 2016 Outdoor Shorts competition in January, which saw a record number of entrants, the Peebles Outdoor Film Festival is once again inviting short film submissions for its 2017 festival competition. Ahead of the next festival (27-29 January 2017), film-makers of all ages are invited to submit outdoor-themed films, either documentary or fictional work, of no more than five minutes duration that demonstrate creativity, originality and story-telling skill. Films can detail a particular adventure, journey, sport, personal experience, or be a portrait of a particular person or place. All must capture the magic and natural beauty…

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Posted in Uncategorized

Steall Gorge footpath to remain closed till end October

Following a significant rockfall at Steall Gorge in Glen Nevis in mid-September, the popular path leading to Steall Falls will remain closed until the end of October. Fort William based Thistle Access will start work on Monday 10 October to remove remaining rock and tree debris from the slopes above the footpath. They will assess the area before securing or removing any unstable objects. The path will be closed for the duration of this work until 30 October. The Trust has updated signage in the local area warning of the increased danger of debris falling onto the path while these…

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Posted in Access issues, News

Steall Falls path to be closed for at least a month; JMT calls for donations

Following the major rockfall on the popular Steall Gorge path on 13-14 September, the John Muir Trust has confirmed that the path will be closed for at least a month whilst specialist contractors repair the route. Local contractors will start work soon to make access safe again, by removing debris from the path, including loose and unstable boulders from the area above the path, and stabilising damaged trees. It’s estimated that the work will cost the John Muir Trust, who owns the Steall Gorge area as well as the summit of Ben Nevis, as much as £30,000. Alison Austin, the…

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Posted in Access issues

Helicopter drop assists in path repairs on Handa Island

More than 120 tonnes of stone and path-building materials have been airlifted by helicopter to a remote island to allow Scottish Wildlife Trust contractors and volunteers to repair the paths. The worn paths on Handa Island reserve off the west coast of Sutherland are being repaired to allow visitors to safely experience one of Europe’s most important seabird colonies and enjoy spectacular views from the island. Handa Island reserve is owned by Scourie Estate and managed in partnership with the Scottish Wildlife Trust. The island is a summer haven for around 70,000 breeding seabirds including puffins, guillemots and razorbills. Reserves…

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Posted in Access issues, News

Mountain Weather Information Service future assured as funding confirmed

Following discussions between sportscotland and the Mountain Weather Information Service (MWIS) both organisations have provided reassurances that the current forecasting service will be maintained. sportscotland has been working in partnership with MWIS since 2007 to provide critical mountain weather forecasting, which has been a valued service for people who use Scotland’s hills and mountains. An agreement has been reached whereby sportscotland will continue the same levels of investment into MWIS to enable them to sustain current forecast provision throughout a development period which will result in a sustainable, long-term and enhanced service. Commenting on the agreement, Stewart Harris, Chief Executive…

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Posted in News

Large rockfall closes path up Nevis Gorge

Following a serious rockfall from the slopes above the Nevis Gorge overnight on 13-14 September, the John Muir Trust has closed the Steall Gorge path in the interests of public safety, pending remedial work, which could take between two and five weeks. Although the damage to path is less serious than initially feared, there is a significant amount of debris on the path, including large and unstable blocks of stone. More seriously, tens of tonnes of loose boulders remain scattered above the footpath, some entangled with fallen trees, others precariously perched on the Meall Cumhann cliff, 400m above the path…

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Posted in Access issues, Magazine

Skyline races return to Glencoe this weekend

The Salomon Glen Coe Skyline race will be held this weekend on Sunday 18th September, with other races scheduled from Kinlochleven on the Friday and Saturday. The course is widely regarded as the most challenging mountain running race in the world, which features long sections of exposed scrambling including the famous Aonach Eagach and Curved Ridge. The event is the third and final race in the Skyrunner World Series Extreme title with top racers from 26 different countries taking part and likely podium positions in the series for local Fort William runner Finlay Wild, Glasgow based Tom Owens and Edinburgh…

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Posted in News

CowalFest back for 14th year

CowalFest, the walking and outdoor festival based on the Cowal Peninsula between Loch Fyne and the Firth of Clyde s returning for a fourteenth year this October. The hub for activities is Dunoon which is easily reached by road via the Rest and Be Thankful or by car/public transport and ferry from Gourock. This year’s festival organisers say, “Although only thirty miles from Glasgow, Cowal is a tranquil area with a rich heritage and abundance of wildlife. The settings for the extensive range of walks could not be better for Cowal is Scotland in miniature and quite simply a hidden…

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Posted in News

Giant badger spotted on the Clyde

A giant mural of a badger has been created on the side of the substation at Bonnington power station at the Scottish Wildlife Trust’s Falls of Clyde reserve. The mural of Clyde the Badger was painted over two days by artist ATMstreetart and can be seen on the Clyde Walkway, which leads visitors past several stunning waterfalls including the Corra Linn. Lyndsay Mark, Visitor Experience Manager, Scottish Wildlife Trust said: “Falls of Clyde reserve is a great place to see badgers and our summer badger watching events are incredibly popular every year. Thanks to ATMstreetart’s fantastic mural we can remind…

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Posted in News


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You should always carry a backup means of navigation and not rely on a single phone, app or map. Walking can be dangerous and is done entirely at your own risk. Information is provided free of charge; it is every walker's responsibility to check it and to navigate safely.