The Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority is to consider further measures to deal with antisocial behaviour and pressure from high visitor numbers which may include more wild camping bans. Wild camping on the east side of Loch Lomond between Drymen and Rowardennan during the summer months is currently banned under a byelaw introduced in 2011. The ban was enforceable with a £500 fine and regular Police and ranger patrols were implemented as well as other measures such as an alcohol ban. The Park Authority has now issued a report which shows that experience in the East Loch…

Edinburgh University Mountaineering Club (EUMC) has put out an urgent appeal for donations to repair Glen Licht House. The hut, which is nestled among the Five Sisters of Kintail, is normally available to individuals and clubs by advance booking. Unfortunately, Glen Licht House’s roof was badly damaged in a storm last winter and the building is now falling apart. The EUMC is looking to raise both awareness of the issue and money to help repair it. The Club says that as well as essential structural repairs, they will also be able to improve the house’s interior with a better stove,…

A new access gate near Pattack Falls – enabling walkers to reach a new bridge over the River Pattack – has enabled improvements to be made to the route of the East Highland Way. The new stretch uses a track and a path to avoid what used to be an unpleasant 2km stretch of road-walking on a busy, twisty section of the main A86 road; it is the latest in a series of changes which have reduced the road walking on the route by around 13km in total. Kevin Langan, who devised the route (as well as writing the guidebook),…

Forestry Commission Scotland's Aberdeenshire team is appealing to members of the public to help keep a popular walker's car park open, by reporting incidents of fly tipping. Dan Cadle, the Recreation Forester in the area, said, “Over the last month we have had repeated dumping of fly tipped material in our Tyrebagger car park – in total about 6 tipper loads of house-hold and building trade waste. “We have reported it to Police Scotland and they are already following up on leads, and we are also passing them CCTV camera pictures of dumpers at the site. “Every time that we…

The 2014 bothy maintenance season is about to get into full swing and whilst the Mountain Bothies Association (MBA) aims to keep disruption to a minimum, it is warning that some bothies may have to be closed for a short period or that space at some may be restricted. The MBA asks that walkers should check the maintenance programme on the MBA website and to be prepared to camp. It also says that work party dates can change, sometimes at short notice so it is worthwhile checking before setting off on a trip. Major work is to be carried out…

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…