Access issues

Signs, sticks and stones

Posted on October 9, 2018 by David Lintern

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…

Posted in Access issues, Features, Magazine, Nature

Report finds Scotland failing to protect against damaging hill tracks

Posted on September 18, 2018 by Helen Webster

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’…

Posted in Access issues, Nature

Delay for Carnach Bridge replacement

Posted on September 12, 2018 by Helen Webster

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…

Posted in Access issues, Magazine, News

Hillwalkers urged to check deer stalking info as season gets underway

Posted on August 1, 2018 by Helen Webster

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…

Posted in Access issues, News, Walkhighlands news

800% parking charge increase shocks hillwalkers

Posted on July 31, 2018 by Helen Webster

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…

Posted in Access issues, Magazine

Garbh Choire Refuge repairs complete

Posted on June 27, 2018 by Helen Webster

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…

Posted in Access issues, News

Airlifts on Suilven for second phase of path repairs

Posted on May 4, 2018 by Helen Webster

This week from Monday 7 May, community-owned Suilven in Sutherland will be at the centre of four days of helicopter activity to carry hundreds of tonnes of stone and gravel to the high slopes. The airlifts mark the start of a new phase of repair work on the path from Glencanisp, which will carry on through the summer, with the £200,000 project expected to be completed in August. The mountain is bracing itself for an upsurge in visitors following the release later this month of the film ‘Edie’, starring Sheila Hancock as an octogenarian who makes a life-changing decision to…

Posted in Access issues, Nature, News

Closures to Glen Nevis and other roads during filming

Posted on March 17, 2018 by Helen Webster

A feature film currently being shot in Scotland is going to lead to a number of road, car park and footpath closures on certain days over the next couple of weeks. The details given on the closures are below: Glen Nevis The Glen Nevis Road C1162 will be temporarily closed to traffic from Wednesday 21 March to Saturday 24 March 2018, as we film along the road from the Glen Nevis Youth Hostel to the Lower Falls Car park and around the set we are currently building in the Lower Falls area. During the road closure, access to the paths…

Posted in Access issues

On TV tonight: The Battle for Scotland’s Countryside

Posted on March 14, 2018 by Helen Webster

On BBC One Scotland tonight at 9pm: “Fifteen years after the passing of Scotland’s historic Land Reform Act, actor David Hayman presents a personal view of the battle for access to Scotland’s stunning countryside, revealing how this conflict has shaped the physical and cultural landscape of the country. He meets landowners, gamekeepers and hill walkers to discover how ordinary Scots have come to claim their right to roam over their country’s mountains and glens. The story begins with Victorian rebels who dared to march across private grouse moors. Then on to the 1930s, when thousands of urban Scots streamed out…

Posted in Access issues

For the price of a bobble hat – can you help?

Posted on March 8, 2018 by Paul Webster

This weekend sees the launch of a major appeal to raise £100,000 to tackle erosion and restore footpaths on two of Scotland’s favourite Munros. With hundreds of thousands of people enjoying walking and climbing in Scotland’s mountains every year, campaigners hope to hit their target over the next eight months by encouraging the nation’s hillwalkers to donate small – whether that be the value of a new pair of hiking socks or a new bobble hat. Mountaineering Scotland and the Outdoor Access Trust for Scotland (OATS) are jointly leading the Scottish part of this UK-wide campaign which will support one…

Posted in Access issues, Magazine, Nature, News, Walkhighlands news