walkhighlands

Access issues

John Swinney urged to act over Chesthill Estate access

The Mountaineering Council of Scotland (MCofS) – which represents Scotland’s hillwalkers and climbers – has called on John Swinney MSP to take action on an estate which is flouting Scotland's access laws. The MCofS has appealed to John Swinney – MSP for Perthshire North – after concluding that the local council has given up on the problem. For several years walkers in Perthshire’s beautiful Glen Lyon have faced locked gates, intimidating signs and abusive behaviour when venturing onto the North Chesthill Estate, Inverar. Reports of such problems have been made over a number of years to the access officer for

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Posted in Access issues, News

Loch Lochy hydro scheme approved

Plans for a hydro-electric scheme costing £800 million pounds – the largest ever in Scotland – has been approved by the government. The 600MW project at Coire Glas – in the hills behind Loch Lochy – is proposed to be built by Scottish & Southern Energy. The controversial project has divided conservation groups, with the John Muir Trust and the Ramblers opposed to the scheme, which is supported by the Mountaineering Council of Scotland. The hydro-electric pumped storage scheme will include a dam and reservoir at Loch a’ Choire Ghlais together with an underground power station and a tunnel system

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Posted in Access issues, Nature

Wind farm threatens Cairngorms National Park says MCofS

Plans to create a wind farm on the edge of the Cairngorms National Park are being opposed by the Mountaineering Council of Scotland (MCofS). The Nathro Hill wind farm, proposed for a site near Brechin, would be the largest wind farm in Angus and would affect views into the national park and from it. The developers had welcomed announcements that both the Ministry of Defence and RSPB Scotland had withdrawn their objections following assurances, but an addendum to the plan has not addressed the MCofS objections. The MCofS objection was lodged on the grounds that the proposed development of 17

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Posted in Access issues, News

Scottish avalanche forecasts start today

Avalanche forecasts for selected areas of the Scottish mountains start today (Thursday 12 December). Throughout the winter the sportscotland Avalanche Information Service (SAIS) will issue daily reports on the avalanche dangers in the most popular mountain areas, allowing mountaineers, ice climbers and off-piste skiers to make informed choices about where and whether to go. It means a dedicated band of avalanche experts going out every day, whatever the weather, to carry out assessments of the snow conditions in the Northern and Southern Cairngorms, Lochaber, Glen Coe and Creag Meagaidh. For the first time this year, they will also provide a

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Posted in Access issues, News

Storm damage shuts Bennachie Centre car park and trails

Forestry Commission Scotland is warning visitors to the Bennachie Centre, in Aberdeenshire, that the main Bennachie car park and all trails starting from it are currently closed due to severe wind damage. The Commission team in the north east is engaging contractors to help clear the damage but it is likely to be the end of this week, at least, before it is reopened. Dan Cadle, the Commission’s Recreation Forester (South) said: “Unfortunately the storm has hit many of our sites and we are trying to get any fallen trees and other debris cleared as soon as we can. “We

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Posted in Access issues

Chris Townsend to be BMC hillwalking ambassador

Outdoors writer and photographer Chris Townsend has been announced as the first ‘hill-walking ambassador’ at the British Mountaineering Council (BMC). Chris Townsend – who is renowned for his long distance walks as well as his widely respected gear reviews and books – walked more than 15,000 miles on 12 huge epic walks. He is also the author of 15 books as well as being the writer/photographer for Walkhighlands’ own guides to the Southern Upland Way and the Annandale Way. More recently Chris was the star of the ‘Cairngorms in Winter’ documentary film shot by Terry Abraham, which featured at the

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Posted in Access issues, Nature, News

Threatened walkers urged to call Police

Walkers have been advised to call the police if they are intimidated or threatened by landowners. And they are urged to remain calm if faced with aggressive land managers. Following recent reports of walkers being approached and intimidated by landowners or their representatives, the Mountaineering Council of Scotland (MCofS) and Ramblers Scotland have joined forces to recommend a course of action. Andrea Partridge, Access Officer for the MCofS, said: “If anyone feels they have been intimidated or threatened while exercising their statutory rights of access, they should report the incident immediately to the police by calling 101. “They should make

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Posted in Access issues, News

A82 Loch Lomond night closures start today

The A82 at Pulpit Rock on west Loch Lomondside will be closed at night from today (Monday 4 November) to Saturday 16 November inclusive. The road will close at 10pm and re-open at 6am each day. The closures are part of a large scheme to improve the A82, something many businesses and individuals further north have been campaigning for over recent years. Once this work in November is completed, there will need to be a full road closure of less than 1 week in January 2014 together with a series of three more overnight closures during the construction period. The

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Posted in Access issues, News

SNH launches consultation on Scottish Wild Land map

People are being asked to give their views on Scotland's wild land as Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) today launches an seven week consultation on a map showing core areas of wild land across the country. The existing map is a result of SNH’s work to advise Scottish Government and others on the extent and location of the wild land resource in Scotland. As part of the recent Scottish Government consultation on planning policy, a number of respondents had criticised the detail of the wild land map. In light of these comments, the Scottish Government asked SNH to carry out a

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Posted in Access issues, Nature

Alladale Estate: Walking with Wolves

WOLVES. The very name stirs the emotions. To some the thought of wolf packs roaming the highlands would be a dream come true, the ultimate in re-wilding. To others the prospect strikes fear, alarm and concern, not only because their childhood bogies are still alive and well and feature a certain Red Riding Hood, but because they have a genuine disquiet about the effect of roaming carnivores on their livelihood. Wolves are natural predators and are as liable to take a sheep as a red deer. Paul Lister. Millionaire heir to the MFI furniture fortune and a name that, depending

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Posted in Access issues, Features, Magazine, Nature


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You should always carry a backup means of navigation and not rely on a single phone, app or map. Walking can be dangerous and is done entirely at your own risk. Information is provided free of charge; it is every walker's responsibility to check it and to navigate safely.