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

Gear review: Walking trousers for winter

Posted on January 13, 2020 by Paul Webster

Rab Spire Pants Recommended Price: £110Weight: 495g (Men’s 34″ waist) Described by Rab as ‘mid-weight softshell’ trousers, the Rab Spire are made from a double-weave Matrix fabric – 92% polyamide and 8% elastane. There’s a very tough-feeling reinforced fabric on the knees and the inside of the lower leg, great for me as this is where I find my walking trousers usually get badly abraded. Despite feeling robust, the main fabric is also stretchy, with a very soft inner face, and the design includes a diamond gusset and articulated knees – I’ve found them very comfortable to wear. On the…

Posted in Gear reviews, Magazine, Trousers

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