Picture Power to be used to fight landscape scars

Posted on June 4, 2013 by Helen Webster

Nine environmental organisations are today launching a campaign aimed at protecting the Scottish countryside from unregulated hill track construction. The organisations are calling on members of the public to take photos of poorly designed or constructed tracks while they are out enjoying the hills this summer. These photographs will be used to build up a portfolio of evidence to persuade the Scottish Government to bring construction of the tracks, which have done so much to permanently scar the Scottish landscape, within the planning system for the first time. Helen Todd of Ramblers Scotland and co-convener of the campaign group said:…

Posted in Nature, News

Bodies found in searches for missing walkers

Posted on June 1, 2013 by Helen Webster

Police in the Highlands investigating the disappearance of Clive Dennier have found a body. The 50 year old reporter who worked for the Strathspey and Badenoch Herald, based in Grantown on Spey, failed to turn up for work on 25 March having talked about going hillwalking over the previous weekend. Mr Dennier’s car was found west of Invergarry four days after he was reported missing and despite extensive searches in the Kinlochhourn and wider Knoydart area no sign of the missing man was found until the Police received a call from a member of the public on Friday 31 May.…

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Entries sought for mountain writing and photo comps

Posted on June 1, 2013 by Helen Webster

Entries are now open for the 2013 Mountain Article and Photography Competitions. Run by the Mountaineerin Council of Scotland (MCofS) and the Edinburgh Mountain Film Festival, prizes include cash and EMFF tickets, and the deadline for entries is 31 August. The MCofS has encouraged creative mountain writing through this competition since 1987. There have been over 300 entries since it's inception by then President Graham E Little. Past Vice President Ingrid Parker then introduced a Poetry category in 1997. The MCofS says, “We all have it in us, so if you feel you can let it out, then, enter the…

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MSPs to quiz Ministers on future of wild land

Posted on May 28, 2013 by Helen Webster

The John Muir Trust' “Better Protection for Wild Land” petition will be discussed in detail at the Scottish Parliament's Petitions Committee today (Tuesday 28 May) when MSPs take evidence from Paul Wheelhouse, the Minister for the Environment and Climate Change, and Derek Mackay, the Minister for Local Government and Planning. The cross-party committee, which last month heard from the two top officials of Scottish Natural Heritage, will explore the Scottish Government's response to the Trust's campaign for a new national designation to protect Scotland’s finest wild land. Speaking in advance of the meeting, Stuart Brooks, John Muir Trust Chief Executive,…

Posted in Access issues, Nature, News

Black Grouse benefit from new Ochils woodland

Posted on May 25, 2013 by Helen Webster

A new black grouse lek has been discovered inside the boundary of young woodland at the Woodland Trust Scotland's Glen Devon sites in the Ochil Hills. There are now two active leks within Glen Devon, the first of which was found to be active in 2012. Site manager Gary Bolton said: “By restricting grazing and establishing large areas of new native woodland alongside open ground we have created good conditions for black grouse and many other birds, such as short eared owls, goldfinches and common whitethroats. “Black grouse numbers are increasing but still relatively small at the moment, hopefully their…

Posted in Nature

Gear Review: Walking Trousers for her

Posted on May 22, 2013 by Helen Webster

Not the most glamorous item of outdoor clothing, and a bad choice won’t matter that much, but they are still an important garment affecting comfort and weather protection on the hill. Some walkers favour tight and stretchy legging-style trousers like the infamous Ronhill Trackster, others a loose-fitting cargo-pant style….. Read Phil’s review of mens’ walking trousers Here Helen tests 7 pairs of walking trousers for women. Kathmandhu Mamora TrousersRRP £55 Made from very comfortable-feeling fabric with four way stretch and water repellent finish, these trousers have tabs and press studs to allow them to be rolled up to 3/4 length.…

Posted in Gear reviews, Trousers

Scottish Midge Forecast back for 2013

Posted on May 20, 2013 by Helen Webster

The Scottish Midge Forecast has relaunched for its' ninth season, mapping midge levels across Scotland to help people plan their outdoor activities. Using a set of algorithms relating midge activity to a variety of environmental and seasonal factors, the forecast is supported by live catch data from a network midge traps operated by volunteers across the country. The Midge Forecast says, “Since it was first trialled in 2004, the midge forecasting system has proven to be as accurate as other established forecasts such sun and pollen indexes. “As the forecast uses historical midge catch data – which is continuously verified…

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Mountaineers dismayed by windfarm plans

Posted on May 17, 2013 by Helen Webster

The Mountaineering Council of Scotland has expressed shock that Highland Council might support two huge industrial wind farms in the Northwest Highlands, near a National Scenic Area. The applications for Glencassley and Sallachy, near Loch Shin and Ben Assynt in Sutherland, propose a total of 48 turbines each at least 125 metres tall (plus concrete buildings and 33km of access tracks) in some of the nation's most important remaining wild land. Highland Council officers have recommended that the council’s North Planning Applications Committee, which meets on 21 May, should not object to the proposals. This is despite the fact that…

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Biggest ever Scottish Nature Festival starts Saturday

Posted on May 16, 2013 by Helen Webster

With the most events ever, Scotland's Nature Festival (formerly Scottish Biodiversity Week) kicks off on May 18 with over 150 free nature events across Scotland. Organised by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) and partners, the festival celebrates the Year of Natural Scotland and boasts a huge array of community events, taking place from the top of the country in Caithness, down to Angus, the Central Belt, and the Scottish Borders. Participants can wander in the picturesque gardens and take part in craft activities for kids at the Redhall Walled Gardens in Edinburgh; go on a big bug hunt or pond dipping…

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Weekend avalanche forecasts cease

Posted on May 14, 2013 by Helen Webster

No further avalanche forecasts are expected to be issued for Southern Cairngorms, Glencoe, Creag Meagaidh, Lochaber and Northern Cairngorms. The Sports Scotland Avalanche Information Service (SAIS) has been issuing weekend forecasts for these mountain areas since the daily service stopped. SAIS says, “We will continue to monitor weather and,snowpack conditions and recommend the following: “Avalanche hazard considerations should always be part of any winter hill goers daily plans and we would recommend that climbers, walkers and off-piste skiers currently venturing into the hills, continue to note snow and weather conditions in respect of any potential avalanche hazard. Be prepared to…

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