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…

Anyone planning to take a vehicle into Glen Strathfarrar between 21 December and 3 January needs to phone the MCofS to get the combination code for the gate. The usual winter access arrangements for the glen apply from 1 November to 25 March when the gatekeeper is not on duty and it is necessary to arrange access with the MCofS. However the MCofS office will be closed over the Christmas and New Year period so anyone wanting to gain access (unless on foot or bike) needs to phone before 21 December. The number to call is 01738 493 942, you…

Footpath repair work planned for 12 and 13 November has had to be postponed due to bad weather. The closures at Glen Nevis will now affect a number of routes on Wednesday 14 and Thursday 15 November. This is to allow stones to be airlifted onto the path leading to Steall Falls as part of a major footpath repair being undertaken by the John Muir Trust. Walking routes affected include Steall Falls and the Nevis Gorge and the Mamores mountain route known as The Ring of Steall. Adverse weather conditions on Monday and Tuesday this week meant that the helicopter…

Having been closed for forestry operations for much of the last year, access paths up Gleann Cia-aig are to remain closed for all of 2013 due to the start of work on a hydro scheme on the Chia-aig Burn. This affects access to the Loch Lochy Munros, although the work does not affect access from the more popular Kilfinnan start point, and the picnic site and viewing area for the Falls will remain open. Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS) and Loch Eil Estates in partnership with RWE Npower Renewables announced the start of construction works on the Glen Cia-aig hydro renewables…