Coronavirus Update from Scottish Mountain Rescue

Posted on March 17, 2020 by Paul Webster

Please note this story was published on 19th March and has been superseded by the ‘Stay at home’ message and advice as shown above. Scottish Mountain Rescue have issued the following statement: “Following recent reporting around the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, we want to take this opportunity to provide some updates on our current situation. Scottish Mountain Rescue teams are continually reviewing their action plans to ensure they can provide a continuous service within Search & Rescue to safeguard both teams and the service to the general public. Being in the outdoors has many benefits and we are usually very happy…

Posted in Access issues, News

Ramblers Scotland to welcome Lucy Wallace as its first woman president

Posted on March 2, 2020 by Paul Webster

Well-known blogger and mountain leader Lucy Wallace will become the first woman president of Ramblers Scotland, the walking charity announced today. Lucy is a professional wildlife guide and outdoor instructor who holds the Winter, Summer and International Mountain Leader awards. She is an accredited Duke of Edinburgh’s Award assessor, working with schools and young people on expeditions throughout Scotland. She will succeed countryside ranger Ben Dolphin as Ramblers Scotland’s honorary figurehead, following the organisation’s AGM in North Berwick this weekend. She follows in the footsteps of the late conservationist Dick Balharry, award-winning broadcaster Cameron McNeish and Dr Andrew Murray, who was the Scottish Government’s…

Posted in Magazine, News

Winter conditions alert for mountaineers

Posted on February 28, 2020 by Paul Webster

With winter conditions at last established in Scotland’s mountains, Mountaineering Scotland is reminding hillgoers not to get carried away by excitement. After a winter which has been characterised by warmer than usual temperatures and lack of good snow, many keen hill walkers, climbers and ski tourers are eager to get out into the white stuff and make the most of the pleasures of the winter mountains. But experts have cautioned people to remember the golden rules of winter mountaineering: be prepared, be equipped and check conditions before you go. Heather Morning, Mountain Safety Adviser for Mountaineering Scotland, said “People are…

Posted in Magazine, News

Coul links plans rejected

Posted on February 21, 2020 by Paul Webster

The Scottish Government has today rejected plans to built an 18 hole golf course on the internationally protected Coul Links dune system, north of Dornoch. The plans had been opposed by environmental groups and charities, including Ramblers Scotland, Buglife, Butterfly Conservation, the Marine Conservation Society, Plantlife, RSPB Scotland, the Scottish Wildlife Trust, and the National Trust for Scotland . The John o’ Groats Trail walking route would also have been affected. Brendan Paddy, Ramblers Scotland director, said: “We are hugely grateful and relieved that the Scottish Government has listened to the evidence-based concerns of environment, landscape and access experts, and…

Posted in Access issues, Nature

Peanmeanach Bothy to close as open shelter

Posted on February 19, 2020 by Paul Webster

Ardnish Estate, the owners of Peanmeanach bothy, have informed the Mountain Bothy Association that they have decided that Peanmeanach Bothy will cease to be an open access bothy with effect from early October this year, when it will be locked. The exact closure date has not yet been announced. It will then be renovated by the estate and subsequently reopened and run by them on a not-for-profit basis as a keyed bookable bothy. The reason for closure is based on problems the estate sees as arising from an increased number of visitors. A statement from the Mountain Bothy Association stated…

Posted in Access issues, Magazine

Walkhighlands / Mountaineering Scotland navigation courses

Posted on February 18, 2020 by Paul Webster

Following the success of the joint Walkhighlands/Mountaineering Scotland navigation courses over the last few years there will be a further four courses this year. These single day courses will be held in the Ochils in May and in the Lomond Hills in June. This is the chance to brush up on your navigation skills while meeting other Walkhighlands users on a fun and friendly day. Cost The courses are being run on a no-profit, minimal cost basis and are £55 each to non-members which includes a year’s discounted membership of Mountaineering Scotland. The courses are £35 to MS members. What…

Posted in Magazine, News, Walkhighlands news

Our picks: Scotland’s finest sea arches

Posted on February 3, 2020 by Paul Webster

Scotland’s magnificent coasts extend as far as 16,500km if the islands are included. As well as picturesque fishing villages and magnificent sandy beaches, there is some fantastic cliff scenery, including many mighty sea stacks as featured in a previous ‘our picks’. This time we take a look at natural arches… The Vat of Kirbuster, Stronsay, Orkney The Vat of Kirbuster is a blow hole – locally known as a gloup – whose entrance is spanned by the most spectacular rock arch in Orkney. The Whale’s Mouth, Cullen, Moray Our circular route from Cullen on the Moray Coast reveals not one but two…

Posted in Features, Magazine, Our picks

Environmental groups welcome new Deer Working Group report

Posted on January 29, 2020 by Paul Webster

Scottish Environment LINK – a coalition of organisations involved in land and deer management, forestry, wildlife conservation, cultural heritage community, land partnerships, nature education and outdoor recreation – has welcomed the findings in the report published today by the independent Deer Working Group (DWG). The independent expert body that was appointed by Scottish Ministers in 2017 has set out nearly a hundred recommendations in its 374-page report which if implemented in full, would go a long way to improving the ecological state of Scotland’s uplands by changing the culture of deer management in Scotland. Mike Daniels Head of Land Management…

Posted in Nature

Top award for renowned Scottish landscape photographer, Colin Prior

Posted on January 26, 2020 by Paul Webster

Colin Prior, the founding father of landscape photography in Scotland, wins the Scottish Award for Excellence in Mountain Culture 2020 Organisers of The Fort William Mountain Festival are pleased to announce that Colin Prior, the World-renowned photographer from Glasgow who has made the panoramic format of Scottish mountain photography his signature, is the twelfth recipient of the Scottish Award for Excellence in Mountain Culture. Nominated by the public and his peers as a mountain hero who celebrates achievement, accomplishment and the spirit of adventure, Colin joins previous esteemed winners including Andy Nisbet, Dr Adam Watson, Jimmy Marshall, Myrtle Simpson, Ian Sykes, Dr Hamish MacInnes and…

Posted in News, Photography

‘Death Zone’ mountaineer Nirmal Purja to headline Fort William Mountain Festival

Posted on January 16, 2020 by Paul Webster

The Fort William Mountain Festival 2020 will be held from Wednesday 19th to Sunday 23rd February, headlined by 36-year-old Nepalese mountaineer and former Gurkha in the British Special Forces, Nirmal Purja MBE, who summited all 14 ‘death zone’ mountains (over 8,000 metres) in a record obliterating six months with a truly inspirational talk highlighting this Herculean task. In its 16th year, organisers of the Fort William Mountain Festival will once again stage a stunning line-up packed full of inspiration, education and entertainment, action and adventure, at venues in and around the bustling Highland town of Fort William. The programme includes presentations from…

Posted in Magazine, News