walkhighlands



Campaign calls for withdrawal of Monadhliath windfarm

The Save Monadhliath Mountains (SMM) campaign coalition has today welcomed the decision by energy company SSE to abandon its plans for a 27-turbine wind farm at Dalnessie near Lairg. The campaign is calling on devloper RWE to follow suit and save face by withdrawing the 31-turbine proposal at Allt Duine on the very edge of the Cairngorms National Park. The SSE statement said that the proposed Dalnessie wind farm, along with another at Fairburn in Easter Ross, is no longer financially viable. In reaction to the decision by SSE, Chris Townsend, spokesman for the SMM campaign, said: “SSE saw the

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Posted in Access issues, Nature, News

Ben Nevis avalanche rescue

A male and a female climber have been injured after being caught in an avalanche and falling around 300 metres on Ben Nevis. The accident happened on the Brenva face above Coire Leis on Monday 24 February. The avalanche was reported at about 1pm and the Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team and a Royal Navy helicopter from HMS Gannet in Prestwick assisted with the rescue. The female climber was flown off the mountain and taken to Belford Hospital in Fort William where it is understood that she has serious head injuries. The male was walking wounded.

Posted in News

Have your say on Bla Bheinn footpath repairs

The John Muir Trust (JMT) are hoping to undertake path repair work on Bla Bheinn this year as well as on other hills on Skye in the next couple of years. Before commencing any work, the conservation charity which owns the estate covering Bla Bheinn, would like to discuss the plans with anyone interested in order to make the best decisions. There will be an open public meeting at the Broadford Hotel on Skye, on Wednesday 12th March from 7pm with a short presentation at 7.30. The JMT would like to hear from as many people as possible and it

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Posted in Access issues, News

British puffins caught up in Biscay storms

The sight of a Puffin, beak full of sandeels, might be a little harder to come by this summer as they struggle to survive the recent storms that have wracked the Bay of Biscay. The British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) have received a record number of reports of Puffins, wearing uniquely-numbered metal rings, being washed up dead on the coasts of France and Spain. In a normal winter, the BTO would expect two or three ringed Puffins to be found in France and Spain, but during the last few weeks, over 35 have been reported. The previous highest number of

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Posted in Nature

Ramblers challenge Government to fund physical activity plan

Ramblers Scotland today welcomed the launch of the Scottish Government's Physical Activity Implementation Plan ‘A More Active Scotland – Building a Legacy from the Commonwealth Games”, but raised concerns that the goals will not be achieved without a change in transport policy and increased funding for walking and cycling. Dave Morris, Director of Ramblers Scotland said: “We are very pleased to see the launch of ‘A More Active Scotland’ which is a key step in delivering the 2014 Commonwealth Games legacy. We welcome the long term approach taken by the government for a 10-year plan with milestones after 1 year

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Posted in News

Walking the Watershed event at Inverness

Scottish author and walker Peter Wright is due to talk about his Scottish watershed walk at the Eden Court Theatre, Inverness on Thursday 27 February, 7pm. Peter will take the audience on a colourful and evocative journey from one end of Scotland to the other – upon the very spine. He will describe something of the splendour and continuous wildness of this 1,200km high level off-track route from the border with England all the way to Shetland via Duncansby Head, with a spectacular collection of full colour photographs. Copies of all three books in his Ribbon of Wildness Trilogy will

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Posted in News

Teva Riva Peak Mid eVent Womens

Teva Riva Peak Mid eVent Womens RRP: £140 Weight: 1018g (W UK Size 5) Upper: 2.2mm full grain leather Sole: Vibram Sizes: 4 – 8 (Womens) 6 – 12 (Men) Crampon rating: B0 – not crampon compatible Robust sole, wide fit at toes Breathable membrane won’t last forever As so much to do with boots comes down to fit I’ll start there. These 3 season, mid-height walking boots have a generously wide toe with plenty of height, much more in line with the fit of Keen than the relatively narrow last of say Scarpa boots. The heel is narrower and

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Posted in Footwear, Gear reviews

Moray walking festival plans 5 day challenge

This summer the Moray Walking Festival has made it easier to accomplish the Moray Way long distance walking route. The Moray Way 5 Day Challenge will provide transport and support to participants over the 95 mile circular walk. The Challenge is one of over 40 events in this year's Moray Walking Festival programme, which takes place in June. The programme, featuring walks, talks and activities for all abilities, ages and interests, will be launched in March. The 5 Day Challenge route, made up of the Speyside Way, Dava Way and the Moray Coastal Trail, takes place from Thursday 19 to

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Posted in News

MCofS says Ben Klibreck wind farm will destroy landscape's soul

The fragile tourism industry in the far north of Scotland would be damaged if a new wind farm application in Sutherland gets the go-ahead according to the Mountaineering Council of Scotland (MCofS). Creag Riabhach Wind Farm Ltd has applied for planning permission for 22 wind turbines, each over 400 feet high, on moorland immediately below Ben Klibreck. The MCofS, which says it has only objected to 5% of Scottish wind farm applications, believes that these 125m turbines will have severe landscape and visual impacts and would diminish the local tourist and recreation resource. Chief Officer David Gibson said: “This site

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Posted in Nature, News

End of mink in Outer Hebrides in sight

Just a few dispersed mink may be left in Lewis and Harris as the long-running drive to rid the islands of the non-native predator reaches its final stretch. The Hebridean Mink Project (HMP) has run since 2001 with the aim of protecting internationally important populations of wader birds from the fur farm escapees. In that time 2,200 mink have been trapped and removed from Lewis and Harris and Uist. The project uses so-called ‘mink police’, small waterproof units attached to the live catch cage traps which are activated when a mink is trapped inside, These mink police units automatically communicate

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Posted in Nature


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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.