Last avalanche forecast issued for season

Posted on April 24, 2014 by Helen Webster

The final avalanche forecast from the Scottish Avalanche Information Service has now been issued. The forecasts usually run from December to the middle of April, dependent on the snow conditions and funding arrangements and cover five areas – Creag Meagaidh, Glencoe, Lochaber, Northern Cairngorms and Southern Cairngorms. This winter forecasts for Torridon were provided on a trail basis. The service is funded by SportScotland. Although the 20013-14 winter saw the highest number of recorded avalanches, there were no deaths caused by them in the Scottish mountains this year. Whilst the forecasts have ended for another year, there is still substantial…

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Glen Nevis litter pick planned for 27 April

Posted on April 21, 2014 by Helen Webster

The Friends of Nevis are holding their first litter pick of the season on Sunday 27 April. All are welcome to the event at which volunteers plan to clean up areas of Glen Nevis and tidy the area around the Curling Pond. The event starts at 10:30 at the Ben Nevis Highland Centre in the Glen and will run until around 3:30pm. All safety and litter picking equipment provided, together with refreshments and lunch. Under 18s need to be accompanied by an adult. Although you can just turn up, it helps the organisers if you could let them know if…

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Dog walkers urged to take care around lambs

Posted on April 20, 2014 by Helen Webster

With lambing season well underway, Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), Ramblers Scotland and land management organisations, Scottish Land & Estates and NFU Scotland, are asking dog walkers to be aware of vulnerable young lambs when they're out walking over the Easter holiday weekend. At this time of year, dogs chasing sheep are a particular danger to pregnant ewes and lambs. The Scottish Outdoor Access Code has the following advice for dog walkers: – Don’t take your dog into a field where there are lambs – or calves or other young animals. Walk through a neighbouring field or in the land next…

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John Muir Way officially opens this Easter

Posted on April 17, 2014 by Helen Webster

A festival of events celebrating the life of conservationist John Muir kicks off today (Thurs 17 April) and will include the official opening of the new long distance walking route the John Muir Way on Easter Monday. The new trail which runs between Helensburgh and Dunbar and echoes John Muir’s own personal journey growing up in the east coast town of Dunbar before travelling to the west coast of Scotland where he set sail for life in America. Although John Muir left Scotland at the age of 11, it was here that his love of nature was developed. He was…

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Strathfarrar summer access

Posted on April 7, 2014 by Helen Webster

The summer access arrangements for Strathfarrar began last week. Strathfarrar has a locked gate and only a certain number of cars are allowed into the Glen each day. There are no restrictions on pedestrian access or taking a pushbike beyond the locked gate and wild camping is allowed within the terms of the Scottish Access Code but you cannot park overnight in the Glen. There will be no vehicular access on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings. The Mountaineering Council of Scotland (MCofS) negotiates access along the private road with the landowner on behalf of walkers and climbers and this year’s opening…

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Extra WH Navigation Course dates

Posted on April 4, 2014 by Helen Webster

As the planned four Walkhighlands/MCofS Navigation Courses for 2014 booked up within days, a further two courses will be held in the Ochils in July. 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 course will be run by Heather Morning, Mountain Safety Officer at the Mountaineering Council of Scotland and are aimed at anyone who wants to learn how to navigate for hillwalking or to brush up existing knowledge. The courses are very friendly and will also provide a chance…

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RSPB announce reward as bird of prey deaths rise to 16

Posted on April 2, 2014 by Helen Webster

UPDATE 4 APR: Reward has now been increased to £10,000 following pledge by anonymous donor. RSPB Scotland is offering a £5000 reward for information after tests revealed that 16 dead birds of prey found in Ross-shire had been poisoned. The 12 red kites and 4 buzzards were found to the south east of Conon Bridge during a single week in March. Duncan Orr-Ewing, Head of Species and Land Management for RSPB Scotland said: “This appalling incident highlights the very real threat illegal poisoning poses to fantastic species like red kites. The vulnerable Black Isle population in particular has been repeatedly…

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Cash award success for Skye and Trossachs path projects

Posted on April 1, 2014 by Helen Webster

Footpath projects in the Trossachs and on the Isle of Skye have won the public vote to secure funding from the European Outdoor Conservation Association. The Skye project won the Alpine category of the awards, and will give cash to the John Muir Trust to pay for repairs to the path up the iconic mountain, Bla Bheinn. Chris Goodman, the John Muir Trust Footpath Manager said: “The breath-taking view from the summit and the relatively straightforward access attracts thousands of people to Bla Bheinn each year. “The pressure of footfall combined with the high rainfall here has created serious erosion…

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Wildlife watching and events planned for Beinn Eighe reserve

Posted on April 1, 2014 by Helen Webster

The visitor centre at Beinn Eighe National Nature Reserve in Wester Ross opened its doors this week enabling visitors to see the first results of a two-year upgrade. Owned and managed by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) the reserve is a stunning mix of mountain and woodland which rises from the beautiful Loch Maree to the top of the Beinn Eighe ridge. It is one of Scotland’s wildlife hotspots and is home to golden eagle, pine marten, red deer and otter to name a few. Last year SNH started bringing live images of wildlife into the centre using remote cameras, and…

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Scots Pine returning to Ben Lawers

Posted on March 29, 2014 by Helen Webster

The iconic Scots Pine is making a return to the lower slopes of Ben Lawers thanks to the combined efforts of the National Trust for Scotland, some local young naturalists and small group tour operator Rabbie’s. Local children from the Killin Green Team planted 15 individually protected Scots Pines at Cragganester on the Ben Lawers National Nature Reserve which is in the care of the National Trust for Scotland. Around 50 trees will be in place by the end of the project. Ben Lawers Property Manager Helen Cole said: “It is fantastic to have the next generation of conservationists helping…

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