Gear review: Hanwag Alta Bunion GTX boots

Posted on December 18, 2019 by Paul Webster

Recommended Price: £195Weight: 1510g (Pair, size 10.5) I’ve long been interested in trying out footwear from Hanwag, since hearing that they make some models on a special last suitable for people with bunions. Though less known in the UK, German company Hanwag have a long pedigree, having been founded in Bavaria in 1921. The Alta is a pretty sturdy but fairly lightweight traditional full height leather hiking boot. The uppers are nubuck leather with a waterproof gore-tex lining, and the sole is a Vibram unit with a decent tread, providing good grip. The ankle cuffs are lined with soft leather,…

Posted in Footwear, Gear reviews, Magazine

Gear review – Alpkit Definition Jacket

Posted on December 1, 2019 by Paul Webster

Usual Price: £229 (currently on sale)Weight: 545g (men’s large) The Definition is Alpkit’s top of the range mountaineering jacket. On handling, you can immediately tell this is a serious hardshell; the fabric feels quite stiff and very robust and the fit is quite generous. The Definition feels like a waterproof built to inspire confidence that it will cope with the toughest conditions Scotland can offer. The fabric is a 3 layer laminate, with a nylon inner and outer, enclosing unbranded waterproof membrane. It may be the latter that is key to the very competitive pricing, but the specs show high…

Posted in Gear reviews, Jackets, Magazine

Environmental groups respond to SNH deer management report

Posted on November 29, 2019 by Paul Webster

A coalition of environmental organisations have welcomed improvements in the functioning of deer management groups while warning that a step change is needed if climate and biodiversity targets are to be met. A report published today by Scottish Natural Heritage suggests that there has been “significant progress” in deer management planning and evidence of improvements on the ground in reducing deer densities in some areas. The report, however also noted that three out of five key Scottish biodiversity targets are “unlikely to be delivered” because of high deer densities and that there has been “insufficient progress”in protecting and restoring native…

Posted in Nature

Gear Review: Mammut Whitehorn Jacket

Posted on November 28, 2019 by Paul Webster

Recommended Price: £199Weight: 640g (men’s large) The Whitehorn is a new insulated downjacket from Mammut, with a few innovative features. The 115g of filling in the main part of the jacket is recycled 650 fill power goose down, but the shoulders are filled with a recycled synthetic insulation – which should boost durability when worn with a pack as well as aiding performance in damp conditions. Not only are both fillings recycled, the face and lining fabric is too; the Pertex Quantum Eco has been treated with a durable water repellent finish – PFC free, to complete the impressive environmental…

Posted in Gear reviews, Jackets, Magazine, Midlayers

Coalition of local and conservation groups call for new Cairn Gorm vision

Posted on November 24, 2019 by Paul Webster

A group of conservation organisations and local groups has come together to publish a new joint vision for the future of Cairn Gorm. The group – comprising Ramblers Scotland, the Cairngorms Campaign, the North East Mountain Trust, the Scottish Wild Land Group and the Campaign for a Better Cairngorm – are calling a modernisation of ski infrastructure, for the dismantling of the funicular railway to be seriously considered, and for future developments that enhance and respect the natural environment that draws visitors to the National Park. The vision (attached) puts forward ideas which support the future of skiing in the…

Posted in Magazine, Nature

Gear review: Patagonia Micro-Puff Hoody

Posted on November 1, 2019 by Paul Webster

Recommended Price: £200 – £250Weight: 295g (men’s large) The Micro-Puff is a truly ultra-light mid-layer jacket. Patagonia state the weight as being 264g – my large comes in at 295g and packs down to a tiny size in its own pocket. The amount of warmth on offer here for such a slight jacket is phenomenal – I’ve found it as warm as fleeces at around twice the weight. The outer is ripstop nylon Pertex Quantum – which is ultralight and windproof, whilst the insulation is PlumaFill – a synthetic that is claimed to be almost as warm as down, whilst…

Posted in Gear reviews, Jackets, Magazine, Midlayers

Gear review: Vaude Rienza pull-over II

Posted on October 31, 2019 by Paul Webster

Recommended Price: £70Weight: 385g (men’s large) Fleece jackets (and sweaters) were once the ubiquitous outdoors kit. Easily to wash, pretty durable, comfy to wear and warm for the weight, it’s easy to see how they expanded out from being walkers’ gear into the mainstream. There were downsides though – the fabric tended to pill over time, leaving the jacket looking a bit of a mess, whilst synthetic insulated jackets surpassed fleeces for warmth-to-weight ratio. Fleece does remain popular, though, whether worn as a mid- or outer-layer. The Vaude Rienza – which is available both as a pull-over as reviewed here,…

Posted in Gear reviews, Magazine, Midlayers

Gear review: Alpkit Presta 20l pack

Posted on October 17, 2019 by Paul Webster

Recommended Price: £44.99Weight: 645g (as reviewed) This small pack from Alpkit is just the size for a day hike when you have compact kit and don’t need any winter gear. Despite the diminutive dimensions, the pack is actually pretty fully featured. There’s a zipped main compartment, complete with a sleeve for a hydration pouch. There’s a mesh pocket at the top of the interior for valuables, and separate zipped external top pocket, as well as a large stretchy rear pouch and two side pockets – each of which can fit a litre water bottle if needed , though they are…

Posted in Gear reviews, Magazine, Rucksacks

Landowner told to remove track scarring Cairngorms hill

Posted on October 7, 2019 by Paul Webster

A landowner in the Cairngorms National Park has been ordered to remove a controversial vehicle track that is visible from miles around in scenic Glen Clova, Angus. Campaigners have welcomed Cairngorms National Park Authority’s enforcement notice against the ugly vehicle track, which appears to be used to support field sports. The landowner – registered to Pitlivie Farm in Carnoustie – has been given until October 2020 to restore the upper part of the track, which is 1.5km long and has created spoil mounds up to 10 metres wide. They have also been told to seek retrospective permission by 23 December…

Posted in Access issues, Magazine, Nature

12 islands at the edge of Scotland

Posted on September 26, 2019 by Paul Webster

Do you ever have the feeling that you really want to get away from it all? Here’s our pick of some of Scotland’s furthest flung island locations… Foula The incredibly remote outpost of Foula is particularly chancy to reach. The ferry (passenger only) from the west of Shetland Mainland taking many hours is often cancelled by poor weather, so many visitors fly in a tiny nine-seater plane from Tingwall. The sea cliffs here vertically for 370m at Da Kame – second only to St Kilda as the highest in Scotland. Isle of May Much easier to visit is the Isle…

Posted in Features, Magazine, Our picks