Gear review: Patagonia Better Sweater

Posted on May 9, 2018 by Paul Webster

Recommended Price: £80 Weight: 499g The Patagonia Better Sweater is a fleece whose outer fabric is woven into a sweater-knit face, making this a garment that looks smart both on the hill and off it, and avoids the unsightly pilling that affects many alternatives after a few washes. The interior is more obviously traditionally fleecy, and wicks moisture well. Although it’s really a warm mid-layer – and it works well under a waterproof shell in cold conditions – it’s great to wear as an outer layer on dry days too. I’ve found that its both a little warmer and more…

Posted in Gear reviews, Jackets

For the price of a bobble hat – can you help?

Posted on March 8, 2018 by Paul Webster

This weekend sees the launch of a major appeal to raise £100,000 to tackle erosion and restore footpaths on two of Scotland’s favourite Munros. With hundreds of thousands of people enjoying walking and climbing in Scotland’s mountains every year, campaigners hope to hit their target over the next eight months by encouraging the nation’s hillwalkers to donate small – whether that be the value of a new pair of hiking socks or a new bobble hat. Mountaineering Scotland and the Outdoor Access Trust for Scotland (OATS) are jointly leading the Scottish part of this UK-wide campaign which will support one…

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

Our Picks: The Seven Hills of Edinburgh

Posted on March 3, 2018 by Paul Webster

Like Rome, Edinburgh is said to be built on seven hills – though it’s not hard to come up with a few more if you know the city well. Nonetheless the seven has stuck, and there’s even an annual race to climb them all, a combination of hill-running, road-running and urban orienteering. The winners get round in an amazing 1 hour 40 minutes. For most of the rest of us, it’s enough to climb the hills as a series of walks, all of them being featured on Walkhighlands routes within the city. Castle Rock Perhaps the most photographed of them…

Posted in Features, Magazine, Our picks

Carnoch bridge on Cape Wrath Trail has been removed

Posted on February 22, 2018 by Paul Webster

In January we updated our Cape Wrath Trail route description to reflect that Carnoch Bridge near Sourlies had been condemned as unsafe to cross. The river is frequently impossible to cross in spate conditions. The bridge has now been completely removed. There are plans to replace it later in the year, but this is likely to not be for around 6 months. Walkers intending to complete the Cape Wrath Trail during the main season this year should take account of this in their plans.

Posted in Access issues, News

Win one of 2 Mammut Creon Tour backpacks

Posted on February 7, 2018 by Paul Webster

We have two Mammut Creon Tours to win in this exclusive Walkhighlands competition. This 28L capacity hill walking rucksack is perfect for a day in the UK’s hills and mountains. Simply answer the question: Name another rucksack in the Mammut range? Product Details The Creon Tour is a sporty and elegant hiking backpack with a large opening to allow easy loading. Its CONTACT STREAM™ suspension system ensures optimum ventilation as well as excellent load transfer and control. FEATURES Rain cover Integrated metal frame for optimum load transfer Flap with external pocket 2 mesh side pockets Integrated, detachable rain cover Hydration…

Posted in News, Walkhighlands news

Gear review: Salewa Ortles Cubic baselayer

Posted on February 5, 2018 by Paul Webster

Recommended Price: £80 (currently discounted online) Weight: 210g (men’s large) New for this winter, the Salewa Ortles Cubic is a warm fleecy baselayer which I’ve been testing since November. The Ortles is made from Polarlite Fine Grid – a stretchy, warm baselayer fabric; the inside is covered with tiny soft squares which help to trap air, whilst the outer face is smooth – it’s very comfortable worn next to the skin. The raglan sleeves, non-irritating seams and general stretchyness ensure that movement is unrestricted. The cut and general construction quality of the Ortles is excellent, and I expect to get…

Posted in Baselayers, Gear reviews, Magazine

Mountain Bothy Association take on maintenance of remote Cairngorms refuge

Posted on January 31, 2018 by Paul Webster

The Mountain Bothy Association have taken on responsibility for repairing and maintaining the Garbh Choire Refuge. The Refuge is situated in one of the more remote climbing areas in the Cairngorms. Although usage has been light compared to other shelters in the area, it has played a significant role in the development of both rock and ice climbing in the area and is an important part of Cairngorm mountaineering heritage. It was originally built by Aberdeen University Lairig Club approximately 50 years ago. The refuge is a steel frame covered with stone. It is in a poor state of repair…

Posted in Access issues, Nature, News

Gear review: Mammut Trovat Guide High GTX boots

Posted on January 30, 2018 by Paul Webster

Recommended Price: £215 Weight: 1.98kg (pair, UK size 12) Raichle was a well respected manufacturer of rugged mountain boots for many decades, before being absorbed into parent brand Mammut in 2009, but these boots – which still have a Raichle logo on the tongue – show that their tough pedigree has been retained. The boots are constructed of full grain leather and have a high cut, with a softer Nappa leather on the cuff and tongue. The uppers feel very stiff when new, but do develop a flex after wear. The tough construction is softened with memo foam inside, which…

Posted in Footwear, Gear reviews, Magazine

Gear review: Berghaus Fast Hike Trousers

Posted on January 15, 2018 by Paul Webster

Recommended Price: £95 Weight: 320g I’ve been testing these lightweight trousers over the last three months. Whilst they are not the lightest I’ve worn, they seem extremely robust – showing not even the slightest signs of wear so far; the very lightest trousers are likely to wear out much faster. The Fast Hike Trousers are well tailored and not cut as baggy as many walking trousers – so do try them on to ensure you don’t end up with a pair too tight on the thighs; they are available in mens and womens and a variety of lengths as well…

Posted in Gear reviews, Magazine, Trousers

Gear review: Keen Wanderer Low WP walking shoes

Posted on December 29, 2017 by Paul Webster

Recommended Price: £109.99 Weight: 1280g pair (size 10.5) I’ve been a fan of Keen Targhee walking boots for a few years now; my feet are wide across the toes and I’ve always found them extremely comfortable on the hill. So I was interested in trying out these trail walking shoes (which are also available as a boot). The first thing you notice is the weight – at size 10.5, a pair weighs 1.28kg, which is comparable to many boots. This helps make them feel very sturdy – almost clumpy; the uppers are suede and nubuck leather with a generous padded…

Posted in Footwear, Gear reviews