walkhighlands

Access issues

Trossachs Explorer bus returns

Following a successful trial in 2024, the Trossachs Explorer Shuttle Bus is returning for a second and expanded pilot this season. The pilot service service will run from 7th July to 5th October 2025 building on the learnings and success from 2024, trialling further enhancements and an expanded route, now starting from Drymen, the shuttle bus operation will continue to test and learn what works both in terms of service operation and inspiring people to use more sustainable travel options to connect and protect the special environment of our National Park. Tackling the dominance of car travel and lack of

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Posted in Access issues, Magazine, News

Culra Bothy to be replaced

The Mountain Bothies Association (MBA) and Ben Alder Estate have announced that Culra bothy in the Central Highlands is to be replaced. The existing building, which is situated 10 miles west of Dalwhinnie and was commonly used by people as a base for climbing several remote peaks including Ben Alder was closed in 2014 when a professional survey advised that asbestos was present in the fabric of the building making it unsafe for public use. It is expected that work on will commence in mid-October 2025 and that the new bothy will be available for use early in the New

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Posted in Access issues, Features, Magazine, News

Speyside Way closure Friday 25th and Saturday 26th April

The stage of the Speyside Way through Ben Aigan forest – on the stage between Fochabers and Craigellachie – is to be closed on 25th and 26th April. There is a suspension of access rights by Moray Council, to allow for the forest to be used for the Speyside Stages car rally. There is no alternative diversion route for walkers out on the Speyside Way – avoiding the forest on either side would involve walking on busy A roads. Those walking the route are asked to contact the organisers of McDonald & Munro Speyside Stages Rally at speysidestages@gmail.com. It may be

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Posted in Access issues, News

Key Cape Wrath Trail footbridge reopens near Glenfinnan

Callop Bridge, which has been closed for the last few years, has now re-opened. The bridge is a vital link on the Cape Wrath Trail, and its closure led to backpackers walking miles along the dangerous verge of the very busy A830 road to reach Glenfinnan. Forestry Land Scotland have undertaken the repair work. This include new marine steps up onto the bridge. The boardwalk on the approach to the bridge has been removed and the ground is very subject to flooding. There is, however, an informal path over Torran Guibhais which avoids the flooded area (as described on our

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Posted in Access issues, Magazine, Walkhighlands news

Walkers urged to fight cuts to local access funding

Ramblers Scotland is calling on walkers to urgently email local councillors to ensure upcoming budgets safeguard investment in walking, paths and outdoor access.  The charity says that most Scottish councils have squeezed the money they spend on walking throughout the past decade. Long-term budget cuts have led to fewer staff to support access, complaints about blocked paths increasingly going unanswered, and insufficient funds to maintain popular trails. A new webpage has been launched at ramblers.org.uk/accessbudgets to help walkers find and email their local councillors.  Ramblers Scotland director Brendan Paddy said: “Right now, councils across Scotland are setting their 2025/26 budgets. It’s vital that

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Posted in Access issues, Magazine, News

Kinloch Hourn road closure periods

The minor road to Kinloch Hourn on the edge of Knoydart is set to have restricted access over the next few months. The road closure notice begins on 21 December 2024 and will remain in effect until Thursday 1 May 2025. However, the closure notice will only be enforced during specified periods and times – usually open weekends and at lunchtimes as well as early morning and evening. The latest closure times can be found on the SSE website – go to this page and then click on ‘Project Updates’

Posted in Access issues, Magazine, Walkhighlands news

Scottish Avalanche Information Service daily reports begin

Daily Avalanche Reports for the 6 areas – Lochaber, Glencoe, Creag Meagaidh, Southern Cairngorms, Northern Cairngorms and Torridon regions – will be issued daily by the Scottish Avalanache Information Service (SAIS) from tomorrow, Thursday 12th Dec 2024. Some reports and the SAIS Blogs (useful for snow cover reference) have already been issued. The Scottish Avalanche Project began in 1988 as an avalanche forecasting service funded by the Scottish Sports Council and operating in 2 areas, Glencoe and the North Cairngorms. This ran for 2 winters, with the addition in 1989-90 of Lochaber and a weekend pilot scheme on Lochnagar.  After this the

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Posted in Access issues, Magazine, News

New shuttle bus service to launch in the Trossachs

Popular walking destinations in the Trossachs including Ben A’an and Ben Ledi will have a shuttle bus service this summer.  In a bid to help reduce emissions, congestion and parking issues, Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority is introducing the Trossachs Explorer.  The bus will run between Aberfoyle and Callander during the peak summer months and will stop at several popular visitor locations on the route, including Loch Katrine, Ben A’an and Ben Venue.  The seven day a week service has been planned to tie in with bus services from Stirling and Glasgow to allow visitors from those

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Posted in Access issues, Magazine, News

North Face car park closed on weekdays from 3 June

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

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Posted in Access issues, Magazine, News, Walkhighlands news

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

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),

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Posted in Access issues, Magazine, News


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You should always carry a backup means of navigation and not rely on a single phone, app or map. Walking can be dangerous and is done entirely at your own risk. Information is provided free of charge; it is every walker's responsibility to check it and to navigate safely.