Outdoors and nature engagement sustained post-lockdown

Posted on October 14, 2020 by Paul Webster

An increase in people visiting the outdoors and engaging with nature has continued after lockdown, a new survey shows. NatureScot has published the second wave of research into how our relationship with the outdoors and nature has changed as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, carried out in partnership with Scottish Forestry, the Cairngorms National Park Authority and Paths for All. The research was revealed as the nature agency launched its autumn Make Space for Nature campaign, encouraging people to take part in simple, fun activities to help nature thrive. The latest survey of more than 1,100 people found that…

Posted in Access issues, News

Outdoors groups demand transparency on plans for Cairngorm

Posted on September 21, 2020 by Paul Webster

A coalition of outdoors organisations is calling for plans drawn up by Highlands & Islands Enterprise to be made publicly available prior to a decision by the Scottish Government as to whether to fund the proposals. Ramblers Scotland, the North East Mountain Trust (NEMT), the Scottish Wild Land Group and the Cairngorm Campaign have all come together to express their shared concern that public money may be wasted on costly and unsustainable proposals for the mountain’s ski area, including the fate of the funicular railway which has been closed since 2018. The group is very concerned about the lack of…

Posted in Access issues, Magazine, Nature

Managing tourism – lessons from overseas

Posted on September 6, 2020 by Paul Webster

This has been a difficult summer for anyone who loves visiting Scotland’s glorious landscapes, especially those who enjoy wild camping or campervanning. With overseas holidays largely off the agenda, and formal accommodation capacity in Scotland much reduced due to Coronavirus measures, social media has been ablaze with anger at littering and poor behaviour, tension between visitors and locals, and talk of “overtourism”. Over the last 12 years I’ve spent on average a couple of days a week out in the Highlands, all year round, sleeping in a vehicle by the roadside – firstly in a Berlingo, more recently in a…

Posted in Access issues, Features, Magazine

Walkers urged to check for deer stalking before Heading for the Scottish Hills

Posted on September 1, 2020 by Paul Webster

Hillwalkers are being encouraged to check online for deer stalking information before setting out during the busiest part of the season. NatureScot manages the Heading for the Scottish Hills website which provides details on deer stalking on estates between July and late October to help walkers avoid disturbing stalking. With many more people getting out and about to enjoy all that the great outdoors has to offer following the easing of Covid-19 lockdown restrictions, the website helps walkers to follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. It includes advice on where and when stag stalking is taking place on each estate,…

Posted in Access issues, Magazine, Nature, News, Walkhighlands news

Donnie Campbell nears self-propelled Munros record

Posted on September 1, 2020 by Paul Webster

On 1st August Donnie Campbell – a runner from Skye – set off to break the record for the fastest self-propelled round of the Munros. The current record – set 10 years ago by Stephen Pyke – stands at 39 days and 9 hours. Yesterday Donnie put in a truly remarkable effort, climbing Slioch, the Fisherfield 5, An Teallach, the complete Fannichs, and Ben Wyvis in a single day. 18 Munros on the day brought his total to 272 after 31 days. At the time of writing (4pm) Donnie has climbed the Beinn Dearg group and Seana Bhraigh, and is…

Posted in Magazine, News, Walkhighlands news

Outdoors groups demand urgent rethink over “kneejerk” Perthshire parking bans

Posted on August 28, 2020 by Paul Webster

Walkers and mountaineers are calling for Perth & Kinross Council to urgently reconsider its “disproportionate” decision to ban parking on nine of its rural roads. The local authority introduced sweeping new parking restrictions across about 60 miles of roads on 22 August, without prior consultation with the outdoor community. Ramblers Scotland and Mountaineering Scotland have united to condemn the move, which makes it much harder to visit several of the area’s best-known beauty spots, including Glen Lyon, Loch Tay, Loch Tummel and the iconic Munro, Schiehallion. As well as affecting walkers and climbers, the restrictions will stop families, dog-walkers, picnickers,…

Posted in Access issues, Magazine, News

Golden eagles breed at Highlands rewilding estate for first time in 40 years

Posted on August 13, 2020 by Paul Webster

A pair of golden eagles has successfully reared a chick in an artificial nest at Trees for Life’s flagship Dundreggan rewilding estate in Glenmoriston between Loch Ness and Skye – marking the first known return of the spectacular birds of prey to breed at the Highlands site in 40 years. The eagle chick flew from the nest for the first time last week – some five years after a Trees for Life team and renowned conservationist Roy Dennis MBE of the Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation set up an eagle nest or eyrie at a prime location to entice the birds…

Posted in Magazine, Nature

Gear review: Vaude Alpstein 200 DWN quilt

Posted on July 28, 2020 by Paul Webster

Recommended Price: £330 (but check prices online)Weight: 595g including stuffsack An ultralight sleeping bag or quilt has been on my gear test wish list for longer than I can remember. Lifting of lockdown restrictions mean I’ve finally a proper chance to get out and try the Alpstein 200, a summer sleeping bag / quilt from Vaude. The Alpstein design is interesting, quite different from any sleeping kit I’ve used previously. The foot end is fully enclosed, like a sleeping bag, up as far as the backs of my knees. The rest of the design is then open, though there’s a…

Posted in Camping, Gear reviews, Magazine

‘Tak it Hame’ call for hillwalkers to remove litter left by others

Posted on July 20, 2020 by Paul Webster

Mountaineering Scotland is asking hill walkers and climbers to help keep Scotland’s hills and mountains clear of litter and to ‘Tak It Hame’ – removing not just their own litter, but any they find left by others. Tak It Hame 2020 is being launched as coronavirus lockdown eases and the lifting of travel restrictions has seen much publicity about littering and ‘dirty camping’ in some of Scotland’s most popular beauty spots. It had been planned to relaunch the anti-litter campaign in early spring to coincide with the 50th anniversary of Mountaineering Scotland. But due to the Coronavirus lockdown, that was…

Posted in Access issues, Magazine, Nature, News

Plan to avoid the busiest walks this weekend

Posted on July 17, 2020 by Paul Webster

Some of Scotland’s best known places for walks are set to be busy again this weekend, as people continue to enjoy the eased lockdown restrictions. Last week, certain very popular locations within easy reach of a day trip from the central belt became excessively busy, with car parks overfull and excessive parking on the verges causing obstruction on narrow roads. This is likely to be the case again on some routes, especially in the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park with its proximity to Glasgow. Parking and roads to Ben A’an, Conic Hill and Ben Lomond are likely to…

Posted in Access issues, Magazine, News, Walkhighlands news