The route over Conic Hill is currently closed for path upgrade work. The work will last for 8 weeks until 8 April 2013 and during this time the route of the West Highland Way over Conic Hill and other walks over the hill that use this route will be closed. A signed diversion is in place from Garadhban Forest via Milton of Buchanan then along the B837 public road to rejoin the route at Balmaha. There also will be tree felling taking place until June and a diversion through Drymen is also signed. Details of these two diversions can be…

The planned road works on the north side of Loch Arkaig will not now start until 11 February and access for hillwalkers will not be as badly affected as previously reported. Repairs will start on 11 February and run until late April and access will be maintained for all during this time although there may be short delays (the contractor estimates about 20 minutes) at specific work locations. Bridgeworks are planned to start in the week beginning 4th March and are expected to last about 10 weeks. During this time the road will be closed for periods of a few…

A long-discussed project to build a new foot and cycle bridge over the River Dee at Braemar looks like it may finally get underway. The new crossing would link Braemar directly with tracks to the Cairngorms and will make Braemar a much better base for walkers and cyclists as routes could leave straight from the village. The project is led by Braemar Community Ltd and a planning application is expected to be submitted soon. It is estimated that the new bridge, to be sited just north of Braemar, will cost approximately £1 million and take between 2 and 3 years…

Fuller details have now been released about the repair works to the Loch Arkaig road and access for hillwalkers will not be as badly affected as previously reported. Repairs to the road along the north side of Loch Arkaig will start on 4 February and run until April and access will be maintained for all during this time although there may be short delays (the contractor estimates about 20 minutes) at specific work locations. Bridgeworks are planned to start in the week beginning 4th March and during this time the road will be closed for periods of a few days…

As part of Parliamentary celebrations for the passage of the land reform legislation 10 years ago, President of Ramblers Scotland, Dick Balharry, has welcomed the progress made by the Scottish Parliament on the issue. Speaking on the 10th anniversary of the completion of the passage of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 through the Parliament, on 23 Jan 2003, Dick Balharry said, “The Scottish Parliament should be proud of the way in which it delivered our right to roam in 2003. Politicians of all parties came together to secure rights of access to most of Scotland’s land and water and…

Parts of the West Highland Way long distance route will be upgraded following an injection of £750,000 of government funding. The cash is part of £3.15m being given to Forestry Commission Scotland to improve Scotland’s forest estates. Over £1m will be spent on 11 miles of new paths and upgrading surfaces on the Great Glen Way which links Fort William and Inverness. Environment minister Paul Wheelhouse said: “We want more Scots and visitors to enjoy and have access to Scotland’s great outdoors. This funding boost for the Forestry Commission Scotland will help towards achieving that. “The projects will not only…

The bothy at Gleann Dubh-lighe, near Glenfinnan, which was burnt down in 2011, is to be rebuilt. Volunteers from the Mountain Bothy Association (MBA) will undertake the extensive work in April this year. The fire, in August 2011, resulted from a faulty seal on a screw-in gas cylinder which allowed gas to escape under high pressure and be ignited by a candle. No one was injured as a result of this accident but the building was largely destroyed, with only the walls left standing. An MBA work party carried out some work later that year to ensure that the remains…