Access issues

Corran Ferry grounded for ‘forseeable future’

Posted on July 17, 2017 by Helen Webster

The Highland Council-run Corran Ferry service across Loch Linnhe has been suspended since the boat struck rocks on Saturday. The council has said it is looking to ‘find a solution’ but that the ferry is suspended for the ‘forseeable future’ according to the BBC. The back up boat – the Mail of Coul – is also unavailable, currently moored on Bute awaiting a repair. The ferry offers the fastest access from the south Ardgour, Morvern and the Ardnamurchan peninsula – popular tourism destinations currently at the height of their season – as well as for local residents and businesses. Update:…

Posted in Access issues

Warning issued over Goat Track in Coire an t-Sneachda

Posted on June 12, 2017 by Helen Webster

Events last weekend in Coire an t-Sneachda in the Northern Corries of the Cairngorms have highlighted the need for all hill-walkers and climbers to be vigilant when climbing on or passing below mountain crags. Two separate teams over the weekend were injured by rock fall. On Saturday a team on a route known as Fingers Ridge had a very lucky escape when a large slab of rock gave way. Ironically they were clearing loose rock from the route when the accident happened. And on Sunday a team were injured on Pygmy Ridge, in the same Corrie. Walkers and climbers are…

Posted in Access issues, News

Campcraft and hill skills – open fires

Posted on June 12, 2017 by David Lintern

As we move into peak walking and camping season, I wanted to spend some time on what seems to be a controversial subject; camp fires. There’s a huge range of attitudes towards when, where and why it’s acceptable to make a fire outdoors, even among experienced outdoors people and professionals, but there’s also a lack of public discussion which seems to me to be much more harmful than useful. I’ve also seen a fair amount of ‘social shaming’ dished out to folk posting pictures of campfires online, regardless of their age or experience… and of course the more you tell…

Posted in Access issues, Features, Magazine

New bothy for Glen Kinglas

Posted on May 22, 2017 by Helen Webster

The Mountain Bothy Association has announed the opening of a new bothy in Glen Kinglas. Among the mountains that can be climbed from it are the Munros Beinn Ime, Ben Vorlich, Beinn Narnain and Ben Vane as well as Corbetts such as the Cobbler, Beinn Luibhean and Binnein an Fhidhleir. Neil Stewart from the MBA said, “Thanks to the efforts of 50 volunteers over a 3 week period, the building known as Abyssinia in Glen Kinglas in Argyll has been converted into a bothy and is now available for use. We are extremely grateful to Strone estate for allowing us…

Posted in Access issues, News

Environmental Volunteering and the Cairngorms National Park

Posted on April 25, 2017 by Charlotte Milburn

Volunteers are everywhere! What – or perhaps who – do you think of when you hear the word ‘volunteer’? Maybe the many volunteers forming part of the Mountain Rescue services across the country? Perhaps helping out with your children’s sports team? Your first thought might be of those who help with Park Runs, or the volunteers at the end of the phone, supporting people in times of crisis. Volunteers are involved in every aspect of our lives, and there’s something for everyone whatever your interests and no matter if you have a few minutes or would like to be involved…

Posted in Access issues, Magazine, Nature

£200k path restoration begins on Suilven

Posted on April 13, 2017 by Helen Webster

A major programme of path repairs and upgrade work has begun on Suilven, Assynt’s famous community-owned mountain. Due to increasing popularity, fragile soils and harsh climate, the most popular approach to Suilven, beginning at Glencanisp, is rapidly deteriorating. The restoration project will set out to repair an eroded 2.5km section of the route to prevent further damage and maintain public access, and protect the rare habitat of peat bog and wet heath, along with the plants and wildlife it supports. It will aim to create a high quality, but still natural-looking path. The Suilven Path Project is a partnership between the Assynt Foundation,…

Posted in Access issues, Nature

Oh Danny Boy

Posted on April 11, 2017 by Cameron McNeish

I wonder how many others were saddened to watch a video on Facebook featuring the extremely talented cyclist Danny MacAskill and his cousin riding the Beinn na Caillich horseshoe above Broadford on trials motorbikes. Like everyone else I have nothing but respect for Danny MacAskill, someone whose skills, boldness and abilities have become legendary. To use a rather overused term he is iconic, as I discovered when I took my nine-year old granddaughter out for a bike ride. “I hope you don’t mind Papa,” she said, “but my favourite cyclist is Danny MacAskill, but you are my favourite old cyclist.”…

Posted in Access issues, Features, Magazine

Hillwalkers’ opinions needed for path survey

Posted on April 5, 2017 by Helen Webster

Scottish Natural Heritage is asking regular hillwalkers to share their knowledge and experience of hill footpaths in a new survey. SNH say that Scotland’s upland paths are used and enjoyed by millions of walkers, climbers and mountain bikers every year, who contribute over £110M to the rural economy. Yet there is very little funding for upland path repair and no funding for maintenance. Both types of work are crucial to protect the landscape and fragile habitats and well maintained paths can help to create great days on the hill. The survey organisers say that, “several organisations involved in upland path…

Posted in Access issues, Nature, News

Tours Guides repair Skye footpath

Posted on March 31, 2017 by Helen Webster

Resilient tour bus drivers who braved high winds and hail showers have completed urgent path repairs at one of Skye’s busiest scenic spots. Staff from Rabbie’s Trail Burners spent two days working on badly-needed repairs to the Quiraing route, which attracts thousands of people each year. The Quiraing in Staffin is part of the Trotternish Ridge, which was formed by a series of ancient landslips, and has become a hugely popular location for Hollywood films and various commercials in recent years. Despite very tough weather conditions at the exposed site, seven hardy Rabbie’s drivers and office workers dug out a…

Posted in Access issues, Nature, News

Trespass in the Park

Posted on March 17, 2017 by David Lintern

David Lintern lifts the lid on the new wild camping byelaws. On March 1st 2017, the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park introduced a byelaw which prohibits free and informal camping within new ‘management zones’, which includes around 150km of the most popular loch shores. Camping is allowed in predetermined places and the Park is selling permits for £3 a time, but camping elsewhere in these zones carries the immediate threat of having your details taken for further use by the Park and ultimately, a criminal record and a fine. On March 10th, some friends and I chose to consciously…

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