Our pick – Scotland’s waterfalls

Posted on July 23, 2025 by Paul Webster

Scotland is renowned for its rapidly changeable and unpredictable weather – but if you get caught out by the rain, it does have its advantages. Not only does it keep our ancient forests green and verdant, but the rain also powers our rivers and burns – and their waterfalls. Here’s our pick of some of Scotland’s most scenic and impressive cataracts. Plodda Falls, near Glen Affric Mighty Plodda Falls is not just one of Scotland’s most majestic falls, it is one of the most accessible too, requiring only a short walk from a parking area above Tomich, south of Glen…

Posted in Features, Magazine, Our picks

Culra Bothy to be replaced

Posted on June 19, 2025 by Paul Webster

The Mountain Bothies Association (MBA) and Ben Alder Estate have announced that Culra bothy in the Central Highlands is to be replaced. The existing building, which is situated 10 miles west of Dalwhinnie and was commonly used by people as a base for climbing several remote peaks including Ben Alder was closed in 2014 when a professional survey advised that asbestos was present in the fabric of the building making it unsafe for public use. It is expected that work on will commence in mid-October 2025 and that the new bothy will be available for use early in the New…

Posted in Access issues, Features, Magazine, News

Our picks: another 10 walks you can reach by train

Posted on June 1, 2025 by Paul Webster

Whether you have no car, are trying to minimise your impact on the environment, or are just looking to save the stress of driving and instead enjoy the comfort of relaxing on a train rather than face driving home with tired legs, Scotland’s railways can help you reach some truly superb walks in comfort. Following on from last year’s article, we’ve selected another ten great walks you can reach by train, scattered all around the country. This article is sponsored by ScotRail, Scotland’s national train operator. Loch Faskally and the Salmon Ladder (Pitlochry) Walk the walk This enchanting walk makes a…

Posted in Features, Magazine

Mountaineering Scotland issue advice on crampons and micro spikes

Posted on January 29, 2025 by Paul Webster

Mountaineering Scotland is urging hillwalkers and climbers to improve their understanding of winter equipment for use in icy conditions on hill paths and more technical terrain. At the end of last winter, they asked hill-goers for their thoughts on using crampons and other traction devices like micro spikes in the winter mountains. With over 1,300 respondents, the survey highlighted that while many experienced walkers and climbers understood the appropriate use of micro spikes and crampons, a notable portion of less experienced hikers were unaware of the critical differences to when and where they are appropriate to use. Key Survey Findings: Micro…

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Walkers urged to fight cuts to local access funding

Posted on January 27, 2025 by Paul Webster

Ramblers Scotland is calling on walkers to urgently email local councillors to ensure upcoming budgets safeguard investment in walking, paths and outdoor access. The charity says that most Scottish councils have squeezed the money they spend on walking throughout the past decade. Long-term budget cuts have led to fewer staff to support access, complaints about blocked paths increasingly going unanswered, and insufficient funds to maintain popular trails. A new webpage has been launched at ramblers.org.uk/accessbudgets to help walkers find and email their local councillors. Ramblers Scotland director Brendan Paddy said: “Right now, councils across Scotland are setting their 2025/26 budgets. It’s vital that…

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UPDATE: All four lynx have now been recaptured

Posted on January 8, 2025 by Paul Webster

UPDATE 10/1: Two further lynx were spotted in the area this morning. These additional lynx were also recaptured this evening. UPDATE 9/1: The [original] two lynx have been successfully recaptured by the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS), who run the nearby Highland Wildlife Park. Working alongside Police Scotland, experts from the wildlife conservation charity humanely trapped the cats overnight. They are now being cared for in quarantine facilities at Highland Wildlife Park before being transferred to Edinburgh Zoo. The charity has condemned the illegal release as “highly irresponsible” and said it is likely the lynx would have died in…

Posted in Magazine, Nature, News

Kinloch Hourn road closure periods

Posted on December 18, 2024 by Paul Webster

The minor road to Kinloch Hourn on the edge of Knoydart is set to have restricted access over the next few months. The road closure notice begins on 21 December 2024 and will remain in effect until Thursday 1 May 2025. However, the closure notice will only be enforced during specified periods and times – usually open weekends and at lunchtimes as well as early morning and evening. The latest closure times can be found on the SSE website – go to this page and then click on ‘Project Updates’

Posted in Access issues, Magazine, Walkhighlands news

Scottish Avalanche Information Service daily reports begin

Posted on December 11, 2024 by Paul Webster

Daily Avalanche Reports for the 6 areas – Lochaber, Glencoe, Creag Meagaidh, Southern Cairngorms, Northern Cairngorms and Torridon regions – will be issued daily by the Scottish Avalanache Information Service (SAIS) from tomorrow, Thursday 12th Dec 2024. Some reports and the SAIS Blogs (useful for snow cover reference) have already been issued. The Scottish Avalanche Project began in 1988 as an avalanche forecasting service funded by the Scottish Sports Council and operating in 2 areas, Glencoe and the North Cairngorms. This ran for 2 winters, with the addition in 1989-90 of Lochaber and a weekend pilot scheme on Lochnagar. After this the…

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Our pick – walking Scotland’s cities

Posted on December 1, 2024 by Paul Webster

Looking for a break from the stresses of Christmas shopping? Here’s our updated guide to the best of Scotland’s eight cities – or is it nine? Edinburgh Scotland’s capital has recently been voted one of the world’s most beautiful cities, and with its combination of stunning architecture spanning the centuries and its dramatic landscape, it’s the perfect city to explore on foot. We feature routes that explore the wonders of both the medieval Old Town and the Georgian New Town, but be sure not to miss areas like Dean Village, or the Botanic Gardens. The Water of Leith provides a…

Posted in Features, Magazine, Our picks

Wildlife charities accuse NatureScot of undermining protection of birds of prey on grouse moors

Posted on November 14, 2024 by Paul Webster

A decision by Scotland’s governmental conservation agency NatureScot to dilute the new grouse moor licensing scheme introduced in July has been slammed by wildlife and environmental charities. Scotland’s parliament had passed legislation requiring grouse moors to operate under a licensing scheme, to act as a deterrent to the illegal persecution of birds of prey. If raptors were being poisoned or shot in acts of wildlife crime, the estate on which these crimes occurred could then potentially lose its licence. Under the scheme launched in July, the licenses covered entire estate landholding, so that if raptor persecution took place anywhere on…

Posted in Magazine, Nature, News