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

Essential Repairs on Schiehallion

Posted on July 15, 2020 by Paul Webster

Visitors warned of closures at Schiehallion during July for essential path repairs. After many years of successful volunteer-based maintenance, contractors are to begin new repairs on the main route to the top of the renowned Perthshire landmark. Essential repair work on the mountain path means access to the mountain will not be possible for three days – 22, 23, 24 July (weather dependent) – when a helicopter lift will bring stone into the site from elsewhere on the mountain. This will be used to build steps and drainage features that have suffered from both natural and human made erosion. For…

Posted in Access issues, News

Welcome back – but be responsible

Posted on July 1, 2020 by Paul Webster

It’s going to be great to once again have freedom to travel around Scotland more than 5 miles from home, from Friday 3rd July. But we need to all think carefully when planning where we head out beyond our local area this weekend. On the one hand, it’s going to be a good idea to pick somewhere not too obvious, off the beaten track, to avoid overcrowding. On the other hand, Mountain Rescue teams are going to be stretched with slower response times and fewer team members available than normal – so it is a good idea to stay well…

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

Scotland leisure travel limit to be lifted on 3th July

Posted on June 24, 2020 by Paul Webster

The Scottish Government announced today that they are planning to remove the 5 mile limit on leisure travel on the 3rd July. This means that day trips to the hills will be possible for all at last. Self-catering accommodation which has its own private facilities can also reopen from that date. The indicative dates announced today include: Travel distance restriction relaxed – 3 July Self-catering accommodation and second homes (without shared facilities) permitted – 3 July Outdoor hospitality (subject to physical distancing rules and public health advice) – 6 July People can meet in extended groups outdoors (with physical distancing) – 10 July Households can meet indoors with up…

Posted in Access issues, Magazine, News, Walkhighlands news