SNH chair praises Mountain Bothy Association

Posted on October 21, 2013 by Paul Webster

The chairman of Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) has praised the achievements of the Mountain Bothy Association in delivering public benefits through its work and called for more partnerships between the public and voluntary sectors. Andrew Thin, was addressing the AGM of the Mountain Bothies Association (MBA) in Ballater on Saturday (19 October). He highlighted the growing importance of the voluntary sector in delivering public policy. Mr Thin, a MBA member since the 1980s, said: “The MBA is one of the finest examples in the UK of voluntarism and philanthropy in action, delivering huge public benefit. It is to be commended…

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Finlay Wild breaks 3 hour barrier for Cuillin Ridge traverse

Posted on October 14, 2013 by Paul Webster

Lochaber Athletic Club member Finlay Wild has broken his own record for the fastest traverse of the Cuillin Ridge – breaking the sub 3 hour barrier for the first time. The Cuillin Ridge is regarded as Britain’s biggest mountain challenge; the previous record set by Finlay in June this year was 3 hours 14 mins and 58 seconds. The route – which involves rock-climbing sections up to Very Difficult standard and hard scrambling for much of the way – includes 11 Munros. Finlay left the summit of Gars-bheinn at the southern end of the ridge at 12 noon on Saturday…

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Scottish Government launches plan to save the wildcat

Posted on September 24, 2013 by Paul Webster

A new action plan to reverse the decline of the Scottish wildcat within six years was launched today by Environment Minister Paul Wheelhouse. It sets out for the first time a package of measures that a range of land managers, conservationists, and researchers agree has the best prospect for the ‘Highland Tiger.’ The aim is to conserve Scottish wildcats by reducing the chances of cross breeding with domestic and feral cats and by lowering the risk to wildcats from feline diseases. Efforts will be targeted in areas which support the most viable wildcat populations. And a conservation breeding programme will…

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Scottish National Trail website launched

Posted on August 28, 2013 by Paul Webster

A new website has just been launched to help promote the Scottish National Trail. The Trail – which was devised by outdoors broadcaster and writer Cameron McNeish and launched by First Minister Alex Salmond last year – runs for the length of Scotland, 864km from Kirk Yetholm to Cape Wrath. “This trail has wonderful variety, ranging from easy but beautiful walking in the Borders and Central Scotland before becoming progressively more challenging through Perthshire and the Cairngorms to become a real backpacking adventure in the Northwest Highlands. We’re delighted to have completed a detailed guide and description to walking every…

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Mountain article competition at MCofS

Posted on August 16, 2013 by Paul Webster

Budding writers are being sought by the Mountaineering Council of Scotland for its long-running literary competition. Since 1987 the MCofS has run its Mountain Article Competition, seeking out the best in mountain writing, whether fact or fiction, prose or poetry. Articles should have some connection with mountains and mountaineering, rock or ice climbing, walking or ski mountaineering. Winning entries get a cash prize and the chance to see their piece in print in The Scottish Mountaineer, the quarterly MCofS magazine which goes out to more than 11,000 members. The first-placed winners in the prose and poetry categories will also receive…

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Time running out to stop hilltracks 'vandalism'

Posted on July 17, 2013 by Paul Webster

Environmental organisations attempting to stop the unregulated construction of hill tracks in Scotland have been shocked by the scale of the problem, mid-way through a public campaign to identify the worst cases. Working together under Scottish Environment LINK, the nine organisations are asking members of the public to submit photographs of tracks in the Scottish countryside before 1 September, and have already received numerous responses. They say that time is now running out to uncover the true scale of the damage caused to Scotland’s landscapes and wildlife before they try to persuade the Government to change the law. The organisations…

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Bridge down on Beinn a'Chreachain Munro route

Posted on April 22, 2013 by Paul Webster

We’ve received reports that the footbridge over the Water of Tulla at NN353468 is currently badly damaged. Only two twisted and damaged iron girders remain. If the water level is low it is usually possible to cross the river just upstream, but in spate conditions this becomes impossible, in which case it is better to remain on the south side of the Water of Tulla at the earlier track bridge. The bridge is part of the usual route up Beinn a’Chreachain and Beinn Achaladair – a pair of Munros overlooking Rannoch Moor. Thanks to forum user IamAJMiller for submitting the…

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Walkhighlands makes Mountain Safety and Rescue donations

Posted on April 22, 2013 by Paul Webster

Last year we pledged that we would donate £1000 to walking and conservation-related causes in 2013. So far we’ve donated £500 to mountain safety with two donations: – £250 to support the excellent education and hill-skills work carried out by the Mountaineering Council of Scotland, through its safety officer Heather Morning. – £250 to the Cairngorms Mountain Rescue team, who have just had an exceptionally busy winter. “Whilst the primary aim of Walkhighlands is to provide the best possible free-to-use source of information for people interested in walking in Scotland, ” commented co-founder Helen Webster, “we’re delighted to be able…

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John Muir Trust calls on government to save Monadhliath

Posted on April 9, 2013 by Paul Webster

Conservation group the John Muir Trust has expressed disappointment in the vote of the Highland Council's South Planning Applications Committee to accept the Stronelairg wind development subject to conditions and called on the Scottish Government to make sure that a full public inquiry now takes place. “We are disappointed that the majority of councillors chose to ignore expert opinion from bodies which include Scottish Natural Heritage, the Cairngorms National Park, the Mountaineering Council of Scotland and the John Muir Trust,” said Helen McDade, the John Muir Trust Head of Policy. “But despite this setback, the fight to save the Monadhliath…

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MCofS welcome decision not to appeal wind farm refusal

Posted on March 21, 2013 by Paul Webster

The Mountaineering Council of Scotland (MCofS) have welcomed the decision by Falck Renewables – developer of the proposed Clach Liath wind farm – not to appeal the decision by Highland Council to refuse planning permission. The windfarm would have been situated on the slopes of Meall na Speireig – a southeastern outlier of Ben Wyvis, on the edge of the National Nature Reserve and in view from much of the Black Isle. Commenting on the news, MCofS Chief Officer David Gibson said: “The news represents a victory for common sense, local democracy and the recognition that Scotland’s wonderful mountain landscapes…

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