Scottish Ministers have confirmed the Path Order which will allow the Speyside Way extension to be constructed across Kinrara Estate immediately south of Aviemore. The Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) took the unusual step of pursuing the legally enforceable Path Order because the Kinrara Estate fundamentally opposed the proposed route over its land. Before the new section of Speyside Way can be completed planning permission has to be obtained and a funding package put together, something the CPNA described as “challenging”, however the CPNA also said it was determined to press ahead to make the route happen on the ground.…

The eight abseil posts leading down from the Carn Mor Dearg arête into Coire Leis on the north side of Ben Nevis have been removed. The majority of the poles had fallen into disrepair and were unsafe to use. The highest abseil post provided a useful navigation aid and is to be replaced by a two metre high cairn that will be constructed in the same style as the other navigation cairns which currently exist across the summit plateau. This cairn will mark the top of the obvious descent line into Coire Leis in poor visibility. The cairn will be…

A new bothy has opened on the Isle of Jura. The Mountain Bothy Association (MBA) work party earlier this month undertook major work to make the old lodge at Cruib wind and watertight and available for use as a bothy. Although considerable further work has still to be done, the building can now be used by visitors. Cruib becomes the 79th building in Scotland to be maintained by the Association as an open bothy. It is situated on the shores of Loch Tarbert, on Jura, at NR 566 828, Landranger 61. The open bothy has been made available by the…

Forescasters are warning that recent heavy snowfalls have raised the risk of avalanches in the Northern Cairngorms and also some slopes in Lochaber. Although the Sportscotland Avalanche Information Service (SAIS) has ended its daily forecasts for the season it continues to monitor snow conditions and is warning of ‘considerable’ risk of localised natural and human-triggered avalanches on higher slopes this weekend. See the full forecast to see which slopes are likely to be affected on the SAIS website.

Rothiemurchus Estate and Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) say that the death of a capercaillie by a dog last week could have been avoided. The capercaillie which became an unwitting star due to its unusual behaviour was found dead on the popular Highland estate of Rothiemurchus near Aviemore. The lone male within Rothiemurchus was less shy than other capercaillie and defended its territory instead of hiding or running away when people and/or dogs approached. Last week it was killed by a dog. The Estate and SNH say the incident highlights the importance of responsible access within sensitive areas in the Cairngorms…

There will be a diversion in place for a section of the West Highland Way from the end of April. The Forestry Commission is undertaking work to remove wind blown trees in Garadhban Forest. This will affect a short section of the the West Highland Way from Drymen to Rowardennan and a signed diversion will be in place. This diversion is in addition to the restrictions for walkers with dogs just a short distance further along the West Highland Way near Conic Hill. Lambing will be take place between 15th April and 15th May 2012 inclusive and will mean that…

The Loch Lomond water bus service is now up and running again for the summer and this year includes a morning sailing to Rowardennan aimed at walkers wanting to make an early start on Ben Lomond. This service will leave Tarbet at 8.45am leaving plenty of time to climb the popular Munro before the last waterbus returns from Rowardennan. A new service linking Balloch and Luss will also be launched later this summer. Fiona Logan, CEO of Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park said, “We had a fantastic response to the introduction of regular daily water bus routes last…

The Mountain Bothy Association says that its volunteers are going to have a busy few months. The Association is planning a large number of work parties, mostly in April and May. Inevitably, this will mean that there will have to be restrictions on use at some bothies while the work is being undertaken, and intending users should be prepared to camp during the periods that this essential maintenance is taking place. As much information as possible is being posted on the Association’s website but the MBA possible to be completely precise about how usage of individual bothies might be affected.…