Walkers in Scotland are being urged to record sightings of juniper bushes which may be affected by a deadly fungal disease. Charity Plantlife Scotland wants walkers to complete a survey form every time they see juniper and particularly if they notice the plant is brown or orange as this could be a sign of disease. The group said this would help track juniper numbers and the spread of the disease, which is affecting berries. The plant has been lost in many parts of the UK and campaigners are deeply concerned about its future. Recent findings show that juniper, used to…

Culra bothy has been closed with immediate effect because of safety fears due to the asbestos sheeting used when it was originally built. Although much of this sheeting has been replaced over the years a professional survey has just been carried out on the building and the Mountain Bothies Association (MBA) has been advised that the bothy is unsafe for public use. The bothy, which serves as an entry point for Ben Alder and other surrounding hills such as Aonach Beag, has therefore been closed with immediate effect. The MBA says that discussions are continuing with regards the future of…

The much anticipated extension of the Speyside Way moved on another step today, with planning permission for several key sections of the route having been secured. The Cairngorms National Park Authority's planning committee – meeting in Blair Atholl today – gave the go-ahead for four sections of the Long Distance Route, which will eventually see the Speyside Way extended from Aviemore to Newtonmore. The sections of the route approved today are: · 1.2km of new path and stock fencing south of the Highland Main Line opposite the Dalraddy Holiday Park, Aviemore. · 1.9km of new path from the Allt-na-Chriche burn…

The John Muir Trust (JMT) are hoping to undertake path repair work on Bla Bheinn this year as well as on other hills on Skye in the next couple of years. Before commencing any work, the conservation charity which owns the estate covering Bla Bheinn, would like to discuss the plans with anyone interested in order to make the best decisions. There will be an open public meeting at the Broadford Hotel on Skye, on Wednesday 12th March from 7pm with a short presentation at 7.30. The JMT would like to hear from as many people as possible and it…

A survey of access problems on a Glen Lyon estate is being carried out by the Mountaineering Council of Scotland. Long-running problems on the North Chesthill Estate have seen a steady stream of complaints from hill walkers who feel they have been obstructed from their legal right of responsible access. Besides being internationally renowned for its beauty, the glen is also home to a popular circuit of four Munros – mountains over 3000 feet – but at the most popular starting point for the walk a gate is regularly locked and signs imply that access is forbidden. Perth & Kinross…

Ramblers Scotland has responded to a recent report in the West Highland Free Press relating to a new access policy issued by Ledgowan estate in Achnasheen. The report claims that, under the new policy, walkers are likely to be stopped and asked for their name and address, and if these are not forthcoming, photographs of the walkers and/or their vehicles will be taken. While this is said to be in response to recent thefts and poaching incidents, Ramblers Scotland condemns the apparent lack of respect for Scotland’s access legislation which gives duties on landowners to take proper account of the…

Forestry Commission Scotland is urging people to follow instructions on site signage around Bennachie as work gets underway to clear windblown trees. The main Bennachie car park has been closed since storms felled a number of trees and caused some marked trails to be shut to the public. Other car parks and trail heads at Back o’Bennachie and Millstone Hill. Emily Holmes, Recreation and Communities Ranger with the Commission’s team in the area said: “December’s strong winds caused quite a lot of damage in the forests of Bennachie, and a number of the trails have been affected by wind blown…

Anyone wishing vehicular access to Glen Strathfarrar over the festive season, from 24th December to 4th January, should make sure they get in touch with the MCofS office by 23rd December, so that details can be passed to the gatekeeper. Details of the booking procedure are here. The glen gives access to a popular round of four Munros as well as up to the Loch Monar dam and An Sidhean.