Wildlife charities accuse NatureScot of undermining protection of birds of prey on grouse moors

Posted on November 14, 2024 by Paul Webster

A decision by Scotland’s governmental conservation agency NatureScot to dilute the new grouse moor licensing scheme introduced in July has been slammed by wildlife and environmental charities. Scotland’s parliament had passed legislation requiring grouse moors to operate under a licensing scheme, to act as a deterrent to the illegal persecution of birds of prey. If raptors were being poisoned or shot in acts of wildlife crime, the estate on which these crimes occurred could then potentially lose its licence. Under the scheme launched in July, the licenses covered entire estate landholding, so that if raptor persecution took place anywhere on…

Posted in Magazine, Nature, News

Common Ground: Coinneach Rankin

Posted on November 5, 2024 by Paul Webster

After three series exploring the wild side of Scotland, BBC Alba’s Dàna series returns to our screens this week. This time the team will be heading further afield, for adventures from the mountains of Norway to the sunny coastline of Spain. The first episode of Dàna | Europe’s Wild Side will premiere on BBC ALBA and BBC iPlayer on Wednesday 6 November at 8.30pm. Watch live or on demand (in Gaelic with English subtitles): Dàna | Europe’s Wild Side on BBC iPlayer. This week we caught up with presenter Coinneach Rankin as part of our Common Ground series of short…

Posted in Common Ground interviews, Features, Magazine

Common Ground: Ilona Turnbull

Posted on September 1, 2024 by Paul Webster

In our Common Ground series of short interviews, we aim to find out what makes our fellow outdoor enthusiasts tick, the experiences we all share and their hopes for the future. Our latest interviewee is Ilona Turnbull, who grew up in Australia but has already completed both the Munros and Corbetts since she moved to Scotland. Can you begin by telling us a bit about yourself and your background? I’m both a non-executive Director for HR, Governance & Equality at Mountaineering Scotland and a lawyer / Company Secretary at a large life insurance company in Edinburgh. I also have an…

Posted in Common Ground interviews, Features, Magazine

Common Ground: Grant Moir

Posted on June 6, 2024 by Paul Webster

In our Common Ground series of short interviews, we aim to find out what makes our fellow outdoor enthusiasts tick, the experiences they share and their hopes for the future. Our latest interviewee is Grant Moir, the Chief Executive of the Cairngorms National Park Authority, the UK’s largest National Park. Can you begin by telling us a bit about yourself and your background? I grew up in Scone just outside Perth and went to Aberdeen University (mainly to be close to the mountains and for the Dons season ticket) to study geography and history. Having the Cairngorms within an hour…

Posted in Common Ground interviews, Features, Magazine

North Face car park closed on weekdays from 3 June

Posted on May 29, 2024 by Paul Webster

The access track to the popular Ben Nevis North Face car park will be closed on weekdays from 3rd June, for a period of up to 10 days, for repairs. It will not be possible even for pedestrians to pass along the track when it is closed. Forestry and Land Scotland have confirmed that access to and use of the car park will still be possible at weekends. The car park is usually used by climbers and walkers visiting the North Face of Ben Nevis, or those intending to climb the mountain via the Càrn Mòr Dearg Arête. The ‘Mountain…

Posted in Access issues, Magazine, News, Walkhighlands news

Campaign to repair Scotland’s mountain paths raises £218,000 in first year

Posted on May 28, 2024 by Paul Webster

The “It’s Up to Us” campaign to help fund repairs to Scotland’s mountain paths has raised over £218,000 of its £300,000 target to help repair 3.2km of path on An Teallach. Path contractors have so far completed 340m of path building and maintenance work on the mountain, funded by the campaign and supported by a team of enthusiastic path maintenance volunteers. The three-year campaign, run by Mountaineering Scotland and the Outdoor Access Trust for Scotland, has so far received generous donations from the Scottish Mountaineering Trust, European Outdoor Conservation Association, and other charitable trusts (£154,858), a major private donor (£25,000),…

Posted in Access issues, Magazine, News

Loch Cuaich (Quoich) road closure

Posted on May 7, 2024 by Paul Webster

Highland Council has issued a notice that the road up Glen Garry, passing Tomdoun and on to Kinloch Hourn is to be closed from Monday 13th May, until Friday 20th December. This affects a huge number of walking routes, including the Munros on either side of Loch Cuaich (formerly Quoich on maps), and road access to the Cape Wrath Trail at Kinloch Hourn. However, the closure order is only be in force between 9am and 12 noon, and 1pm to 3pm each day. We have been further been advised that SSE will only enforce on weekdays and will allow vehicles…

Posted in Access issues, Magazine, News

Our picks: 10 more walks you can reach by train

Posted on April 24, 2024 by Paul Webster

Whether you have no car, are trying to minimise your impact on the environment, or are just looking to save the stress of driving and instead enjoy the comfort of relaxing on a train rather than face driving home with tired legs, Scotland’s railways can help you reach some truly superb walks in comfort. Following on from last year’s article, we’ve selected another ten great walks you can reach using our railways, scattered all around the country. This article was sponsored by ScotRail, Scotland’s rail operator. Plockton Explorer, Plockton Walk the walk This short walk explores what is one of Scotland’s…

Posted in Features, Magazine, Our picks

Common Ground: Caitlin McCollum-Martinez

Posted on April 3, 2024 by Paul Webster

Our latest Common Ground interviewee is Caitlin McCollum Martinez, who moved to the UK last year. She was a participant in Ramblers Scotland’s ‘Out There Award’, and is now one of the scheme’s ambassadors. This year, Ramblers Scotland will run more than 30 Out There Award weekends at ten locations across Scotland. It’s a unique chance for 18 to 26-year-olds to kick-start their journeys into the outdoors. Participants learn entry-level skills, meet new friends and enjoy fun walks together. Details and registration at www.ramblers.org.uk/outthereaward Can you begin by telling us a bit about yourself and your background? I’m originally from Southern…

Posted in Common Ground interviews, Features, Magazine

Common Ground: Kevin Woods

Posted on March 21, 2024 by Paul Webster

Our Common Ground interview this month is with mountaineer, film-maker and musician Kevin Woods. Anna Wells’ round of the Munros in a single winter season has made recent headlines; Kevin was the previous person to complete a winter Munro round, back in 2019-2020. He’s made a great film about his experience, Winter282 – you can catch upcoming showings in Glasgow, Aberdeen and Yorkshire over on his website. Can you begin by telling us a bit about yourself and your background? I’m a creative type at heart. I spent my twenties playing drums in various bands which gave a lot of…

Posted in Common Ground interviews, Features, Magazine