Access campaigner sends open letter on camping ban to minister

Posted on February 4, 2016 by Helen Webster

A leading access campaigner has sent an open letter strongly critical for the Loch Lomond camping ban to the Scottish Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Dr Aileen McLeod. Nick Kempe is a former board member of Scottish Natural Heritage as well as former president of the Mountaineering Council of Scotland. In the letter he slams the case made for the ban, noting that although press releases by the Minister and the National Park claim that the restrictions only cover 3.7% of the Park, this 3.7% actually covers most of the locations in which people would wish to…

Posted in Access issues, Nature

Largest ever survey of Scottish wildcats commences

Posted on January 27, 2016 by Helen Webster

The largest-ever survey of Scottish wildcats is now underway with more than 300 trail cameras live as from today. The survey focuses on five of the wildcat priority areas of Scotland, including Strathpeffer, Strathbogie, Strathavon, North Strathspey and the Angus Glens. Work will be continuing in Morvern later in the year. As part of Scottish Wildcat Action, these motion-sensitive cameras will monitor cats living in parts of the Highlands over a 60-day period. Survey methods are informed by published scientific studies and a practical hands-on approach. More than 130 volunteers will check the cameras. Data gathered will help inform wildcat…

Posted in Nature

Scottish Government approves Lomond camping ban

Posted on January 26, 2016 by Helen Webster

The Minister for the Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform, Dr Aileen McLeod, has approved the controversial extended wild camping ban proposed by the Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park. Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority Convener Linda McKay, warmly welcomed the announcement: “This is tremendously positive news for all those who, like us, want to protect and enhance some of Scotland’s most precious natural places. “These carefully considered proposals reflect the views of a wide body of interests and demonstrate the delicate balance that needs to be struck when caring for our National Parks. We firmly…

Posted in Access issues, Nature

Mick Tighe wins Mountain Culture Award

Posted on January 19, 2016 by Helen Webster

Mick Tighe, a guide, rescuer, trainer and pioneer who embodies the spirit of Scottish mountaineering, has been announced as this year’s winner of the Scottish Award for Excellence in Mountain Culture 2016. Nominated by the public and his peers as a mountain hero who celebrates achievement, accomplishment and the spirit of adventure, Mick joins previous winners such as Hamish MacInnes, Jimmy Marshall and Myrtle Simpson in the Excellence in Mountain Culture Hall of Fame. Those who nominated Mick for the award described him as embodying the spirit of Scottish mountaineering, whether through his work as a guide, rescuer, trainer, pioneer…

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Slow Marathon planned for River Deveron

Posted on January 18, 2016 by Helen Webster

Huntly will again be hosting a slow marathon, a 26 mile walk along the River Deveron in April. The organisers, Deveron Arts, say that a slow marathon celebrates the human pace. It is both an endurance event, attracting walkers from all walks of life, and a poetic act, bringing art and walking together. The Huntly event is now an annual event, originating in 2012 when the first Slow Marathon was planned by Ethiopian artist Mihret Kebede. Slow Marathon 2016 is a 26 mile/42 km along the River Deveron walking against the flow to Huntly. The route is inspired by artist…

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Charity urges more protection for Scottish mountain plants

Posted on January 16, 2016 by Helen Webster

A leading wildlife charity is calling for more protection for the unique community of plants found on the Scottish mountains. Plantlife Scotland says that many of these rare species are in decline due to factors including climate change and unsuitable land management, and is asking walkers to contribute to their survival by taking part in annual plant surveys. Plantlife says that from the upland mires and springs where plants like starry saxifrage grow to the alpine plateaux of the Cairngorms where mosses and liverworts carpet the ground, these arctic-alpine communities have adapted to survive the harshest of living conditions. These…

Posted in Nature, News

Walkhighlands Navigation courses available to book now

Posted on January 13, 2016 by Helen Webster

Following the success of the joint Walkhighlands/MCofS navigation courses over the last few years there will be a further 2 courses this summer. These single day courses will be held at Arrochar on Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 June. This is the chance to brush up on your navigation skills while meeting other Walkhighlands users on a fun and friendly day. Each course will begin with an hour of work indoors and then the rest of the day will be spent on practical navigation skills on the hill. The courses will be run by Heather Morning, Mountain Safety Officer at…

Posted in News, Walkhighlands news

Peebles Outdoor Film Festival returns for 2016

Posted on January 7, 2016 by Helen Webster

Global adventurer Mark Beaumont will be one of many star attractions as the Peebles Outdoor Film Festival returns to the Eastgate Theatre later this month (22-24 Jan) with an outstanding line-up of speakers, adventure films and hands-on activities. One of the highlights will be a talk by ultra-runner Elspeth Luke about her 34-day, 680-mile run along the watershed of Scotland Following a successful inaugural festival last February, the 2016 event sees an expanded programme of speakers, shorts and feature-length films covering everything from adventure film-making, cycling and trail running to climbing, skiing, wildlife photography and more. Appropriately enough for a…

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Storm Frank set to batter mountains on Wednesday

Posted on December 29, 2015 by Helen Webster

The batch of December storms is set to continue with Storm Frank set to batter the Scottish hills tonight and tomorrow (Wednesday 30th). The Mountain Weather Information Service is forecasting winds of 70 to 90mph to continue for many hours, with gusts of 100mph or more – making any mobility very difficult. Persistent heavy rain is also forecast, particularly in west and southwest Scotland, again rarely ceasing for many hours with around 120mm set to fall on higher areas – causing further flooding. The rain will turn to snow over the mountains later in the day. The Mountaineering Council of…

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Cameron McNeish on BBC2’s Roads Less Travelled

Posted on December 27, 2015 by Helen Webster

In the BBC Adventure Show special that has become a regular part of the festive season on TV, Cameron McNeish celebrates the best of Scotland with a spectacular route through the West Highlands. This year he is taking things slowly. His home is a campervan and he will be walking, cycling and paddling into some hidden corners of Scotland. In the first of two programmes at 7pm tomorrow on BBC2 Scotland, Cameron’s journey starts 20 miles south of Oban. He visits three stunning but lesser-known islands, explores the grandeur of Glencoe and the rugged Moidart Peninsula, before taking to the…

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