Visits to the outdoors have hit record levels in Scotland, a new survey suggests…
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Access issues
Hill tracks – why is the SNP Government blocking progress?
POLITICS is a strange business. Much of it is carried out in committee rooms where elected representatives of the people make decisions on subjects they often know very little about. About four years ago Helen Todd of Scottish Environment Link and I had a meeting with the erstwhile Planning Minister Derek Mackay on the subject of bulldozed tracks in the hills. I had been encouraged to have a chat with Mackay by Alex Salmond who was First Minister at the time. I had been meeting with Alex to discuss various issues about landscape protection and generally he was very helpful.…
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Mountain Rescue teams criticise search and rescue helicopter contract
In a joint press release four of the largest Scottish Mountain Rescue teams – Glencoe, Tayside, Lochaber and Cairngorm – have gone public with shared concerns about the level of support they receive under the privatised but publicly funded Search and Rescue Helicopter contract. We’ve included the complete text from the four teams below. “This weekend gone we saw the first real snows of winter hit Scotland’s hills. Heralding the start of the busiest season for the independent Scottish Mountain Rescue Teams of Cairngorm, Lochaber, Glencoe and Tayside. As the teams prepare to undertake difficult and potentially dangerous rescues in…
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Step up for Scotland’s Footpaths as NTS launches repair appeal
The National Trust for Scotland (NTS) is appealing for donations to its Footpath Fund in a bid to help repair and protect the 440km of upland path it manages. With eight natural heritage sites under its care, including Ben Lawers, Glencoe, Goatfell, Craigower, Mar Lodge Estate, Torridon and Killiecrankie, the NTS plays a crucial role in protecting Scotland’s natural environment and wildlife. Donating just £25 allows the footpath team to stabilise the edge of a collapsing path, £50 will help implement a drainage solution to four metres of path and £60 will help restore up to 10 metres of path.…
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Signs, sticks and stones
When is a pile of stones a work of art, a historical monument or an act of vandalism, and how much signage do we want in the Scottish Hills? David Lintern considers cairns, signposts, interpretation and other human interventions, both seen and unseen. A pile of rocks Cairns are perhaps the oldest marks in our landscape, but their existence is complex – they have different forms and functions. Some designate a summit or an ancient site, waymark a route, others seem to be more about mark making or decoration. Recently, Skye locals clubbed together to remove rock stacks made by…
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Report finds Scotland failing to protect against damaging hill tracks
A new report has found that current Scottish law is failing to protect Scotland’s landscape from damage caused by the building of vehicle tracks in the countryside. A coalition of nine leading Scottish environmental organisations is now calling for stronger laws to protect the country’s most iconic landscapes from these tracks. Scottish Environment LINK Hilltracks sub-group has today (Tues 18 Sept) published its Changing Tracks report – following three years of gathering evidence into whether planning legislation is effectively managing the development of the highly-visible tracks. The group argues that the proliferation of controversial upland tracks is ‘out of control’…
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Posted in Access issues, Nature
Delay for Carnach Bridge replacement
Early this year we updated our Cape Wrath Trail route description to reflect that Carnach Bridge near Sourlies had been condemned as unsafe to cross and removed. The river is frequently impossible to cross in spate conditions. Camusory Estate has been working to replace the bridge and had hoped to have the new bridge in place by the end of 2018. However there have been several delays in the planning process and constructing the bridge on site requires a helicopter and suitable weather conditions. As a result, the bridge will now be built over the winter months and installed in…
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Hillwalkers urged to check deer stalking info as season gets underway
As the weather warms up, the deer stalking season begins. Walkers can make sure they won’t disturb stalking by checking the latest local advice on deerstalking provided through Scottish Natural Heritage. The details on deer stalking on estates between July and late October are placed on the Heading for the Scottish Hills website and on Walkhighlands route descriptions. “Deer stalking takes place when Scottish weather is often at its peak and more people want to get outside and enjoy nature, but it’s also a very busy time for land managers. Heading for the Scottish Hills is a quick way for…
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800% parking charge increase shocks hillwalkers
Hill walkers have been outraged by a proposed 800% increase in parking charges at one of Scotland’s most popular mountains. Argyll & Bute Council has announced its intention to increase car parking charges in Arrochar, at the head of Loch Long. The proposed increase will take the hourly charge from 30 pence to £1 and the rate for the full day from £1 to £9. The car cark at Succoth is well used by walkers heading for the distinctive rocky peak of The Cobbler, as well as Beinn Ime and other of the Arrochar Alps. Davie Black, Access & Conservation…
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Posted in Access issues, Magazine
Garbh Choire Refuge repairs complete
An historic mountain refuge has been restored by volunteers. The Garbh Choire 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, built with a stone covering over a steel frame, was in a poor state of repair and without attention would…
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Posted in Access issues, News