walkhighlands

Access issues

Ramblers Scotland research reveals inequality in access to the Outdoors

New research from walking charity Ramblers Scotland has revealed that Scots living in more deprived areas have far fewer local paths than their wealthier counterparts.  Data-crunching by the walking charity has found shocking inequality in the number of ‘core paths’ that communities can enjoy.  ·         Residents in the most deprived* half of society have a total of 4,579 miles of local core paths, compared with 10,351 miles within the least deprived half of Scotland.  ·         People in the healthiest** 10% of areas have nine times (1,891 miles) more local core paths than the least healthy communities (211 miles).   Core paths are legally designated by Scottish councils

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Posted in Access issues, Magazine, News

Visitors to Scotland’s hills urged to head online for deer stalking information

With deer stalking activity increasing until 20th October, NatureScot is encouraging hill-goers to check the Heading for the Scottish Hills service to avoid disturbing essential deer management during this key period. Managing the number of deer is vital for preventing nature loss and tackling the climate change crisis facing Scotland. Reducing deer impacts, such as overgrazing and trampling, will enable the recovery of upland habitats, resulting in a more diverse landscape that benefits biodiversity and absorbs more carbon. As part of the response to the nature and climate crises, the Heading for the Scottish Hills service has expanded to cover

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Posted in Access issues, Magazine, News, Walkhighlands news

Five years of Radical Road closure marked with call for urgent action

Campaigners today marked the fifth anniversary of Edinburgh’s Radical Road closure with an urgent call for Historic Environment Scotland (HES) to “see sense”.  HES shut the iconic 200-year-old path on 11 September 2018 due to concerns about rockfall. It is one of the most popular ways up Arthur’s Seat – Edinburgh’s top attraction on TripAdvisor – yet five years on, it remains blocked and ringed by ugly fencing.  Stakeholders including Ramblers Scotland, Cockburn Association, Edinburgh Geological Society, Mountaineering Scotland and ScotWays are urging HES to make a more holistic assessment of risks.   They want HES to weigh the low risk

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Posted in Access issues, Magazine, News

New campaign to save Scotland’s mountain paths launches

Mountaineering Scotland and the Outdoor Access Trust for Scotland (OATS) have announced the launch of It’s Up to Us, an ambitious three-year partnership campaign to raise £300,000 for much-needed path repairs on one of Scotland’s most iconic mountains, whilst raising awareness of the desperate need for investment in the repair and maintenance of informal mountain paths situated on land outside of Scotland’s national parks and NGO estates. It’s Up to Us was launched at an evening reception at The Black Watch Castle and Museum in Perth last night. It will also focus on engaging Government, stakeholder agencies and organisations, outdoor

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Posted in Access issues, News

World’s first rewilding centre opens near Loch Ness

The world’s first rewilding centre has been opened near Loch Ness in the Scottish Highlands by charity Trees for Life – showcasing how large-scale nature recovery can give people inspiring experiences, create jobs and benefit rural communities. The Dundreggan Rewilding Centre in Glenmoriston celebrates rewilding and the region’s rich Gaelic culture, and offers a gateway for visitors to explore the 10,000-acre Dundreggan estate, where Trees for Life is restoring the Caledonian forest and its wildlife. “For 15 years, Dundreggan has been a beacon for rewilding our landscapes. Now it will be a beacon for rewilding people too,” said Steve Micklewright, Trees for Life’s

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Posted in Access issues, Magazine, News, Walkhighlands news

Breaking down barriers to the outdoors for Scotland’s young adults 

For experienced outdoorsy people, it can be easy to think that walking is the simplest activity in the world.   I’m a prime candidate for this; a middle-class, white, bearded man who grew up in an active household near hills, and who now owns more gear than I can squeeze into my house.   I have heard enough comments along the lines of “But you just need boots, a coat and a bus fare” and “We’ve a right to roam so there are no barriers” to know that some people struggle to understand why many young adults don’t feel the outdoors is

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Posted in Access issues, Features, Magazine

Glen Nevis temporary road closure

The road up Glen Nevis is due to close later this month, from 28th February to 3rd March. The closure is to enable a company to carry out filming. The closure will be from a point 700m beyond the Youth Hostel – affecting access to all of the very popular hill walks from the upper glen, as well as to Steall Falls. Cars will be allowed through only at set times on each day during the closure – at 10:30am for 15 minutes, from noon to 1pm, and at 3pm for 15 minutes. Pedestrians and cyclists will be allowed through

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Posted in Access issues, Magazine, News

Outdoors community marks 20 years of Scottish access rights

Minister praises impact of “world famous” Land Reform Act 2003    Environment Minister Màiri McAllan joined well-known faces from across the outdoors community at Holyrood last night to celebrate 20 years of the nation’s world-class access rights.   Ramblers Scotland’s #OutdoorsForAll event marked two decades of the pioneering Land Reform Act 2003 giving the public the legal right to access nearly all land and inland water in Scotland, provided they behave responsibly.   Attendees included many of the original campaigners from Ramblers Scotland and partners organisations who fought hard to win the rights, which are often known as the ‘right to roam’.   Guests

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Posted in Access issues, Magazine, News

Glen Etive road closed until 2nd December

Highland Council have advised that they are carrying out emergency drainage works around Dalness House, Glen Etive. The works are programmed from today, Monday 14 November 2022 until Friday 2 December 2022. Due to available road widths and to protect the operators on the site, the road will be closed for the duration of these works. Emergency services will have access at all times. Residential access will be permitted. This means that the usual routes to Munros – including Ben Starav and its neighbours – and the Corbetts in lower Glen Etive are all inaccessible for the next 3 weeks.

Posted in Access issues, Magazine, News

Yet another outdoors brand refresh – yet more campfires in the woods

Every day – as with all media organisations – we receive many press releases here at Walkhighlands. Some are of great interest to those of us who love the outdoors, whilst others are simply advertising or spam competing for attention. But as the world heats up and there are droughts across much of Europe, and wildfire risks become sky-high – there’s one type that’s particularly depressing to receive. It’s the use of photos of irresponsible wildfires – in woodland and forests – for marketing purposes by outdoor brands that really should know better. Today’s was from Jack Wolfskin – here’s

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Posted in Access issues, Features, Magazine


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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.