Access issues

Strathfarrar Winter Access Arrangements

Posted on October 30, 2017 by Helen Webster

November 1st marks the start of the winter vehicular access arrangements for Strathfarrar. Since 2014 vehicular access (anyone can walk or bike along the private road) is only permitted for Mountaineering Scotland members for the purpose of hillwalking or climbing. Everyone in the car must be a member and walkers and climbers are required to give details of their contact details and objectives for the day which will be passed onto the Glenavon and Braulen Estates who own the road in Strathfarrar. Access through the locked gate is not allowed before 8am. To get the combination for the padlocked gate…

Posted in Access issues, News

Stalking information on Walkhighlands for new season

Posted on August 6, 2017 by Helen Webster

As Scotland’s deer stalking season gets into full swing, the web-based service to avoid conflict between walkers and stalkers has been relaunched. Scottish Natural Heritage’s ‘Heading for the Scottish Hills’ website allows walkers to check ahead for details of possible deer stalking taking place on estates where they plan to go walking. Walkhighlands has once again teamed up with the service to put the latest stalking info onto our individual walking routes. This year Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) has worked with partners including Mountaineering Scotland and the Association of Deer Management Groups to create a more user-friendly service, which has…

Posted in Access issues, Magazine, News, Walkhighlands news

Kinrara gates in Cairngorms National Park re-opened

Posted on August 3, 2017 by Helen Webster

The Cairngorms National Park Authority and the owners of Kinrara Estate have reported that following positive discussions, newly installed gates on estate driveways will remain open. Kinrara Estate has confirmed to the authority that the gates had not been operated as they had intended when they authorised their installation and the intention was never to restrict access but rather to regulate access given concerns of anti-social behaviour and other issues. The CNPA had been investigating a potential contravention of section 14 (1) of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 on Kinrara Estate after it was reported that three new electronic…

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Mountaineers call for Upland Strategy

Posted on August 1, 2017 by Helen Webster

Mountaineering Scotland is urging the Scottish Government to implement the Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) report ‘Scoping a strategic vision for the uplands’ explores the potential of developing an overarching upland strategy, which would involve a wide range of interest groups and organisations. Following an extensive consultation, it includes a number of broad recommendations that could inform the development of a strategic vision if Scottish ministers decide to go ahead with it. Mountaineering Scotland, which has previously called for such a strategy, has endorsed the SNH report, urging ministers to embrace its recommendations. David Gibson, Chief Executive Officer of Mountaineering Scotland,…

Posted in Access issues, Nature

Hillwalkers needed to Adopt a Path

Posted on August 1, 2017 by Helen Webster

The Mountains and The People project led by Scottish footpath charity the Outdoor Access Trust for Scotland is looking for dedicated hillwalkers to adopt a favourite upland path in the Cairngorms and Loch Lomond National Parks. The Adopt a Path scheme allows those most passionate about Scotland’s mountains to become custodians of their favourite hill paths, conserving fragile upland landscapes by reporting on erosion damage or potential path issues and allowing maintenance tasks to be targeted to best effect. There are paths available for adoption across both of Scotland’s National Parks; Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park and the…

Posted in Access issues, Nature, News

Highland estate limits access to famous “Whisky Trail”

Posted on July 22, 2017 by Helen Webster

Ramblers Scotland is calling on a Highland landowner to immediately remove new locked gates that are blocking public access to their estate, and the Speyside Way that runs through it. Three electronic gates were recently installed at the beautiful Kinrara Estate south of Aviemore – preventing walkers, cyclists and horse-riders from accessing the popular Speyside Way, also known as ‘The Whisky Trail’. Under Scottish law, there is an obligation on people who own and manage land to ensure that public access is facilitated where access rights apply. Thousands of people use the Speyside Way each year, bringing many economic benefits…

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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:…

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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…

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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…

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