Access issues

Highland Council says no to Allt Duine wind farm

Posted on January 17, 2012 by Helen Webster

Supporters of the Save the Monadhliath Mountains (SMM) campaign have welcomed today’s (Tuesday 17 January) decision by the Highland Council’s Planning Application Committee to object to proposals for a large onshore wind farm at Allt Duine located on the edge of the Cairngorms National Park, near the village of Kincraig. The planning application will now be considered by the Scottish Government at a public inquiry. SMM campaigners believe that to build a wind farm on the very edge of the National Park, in an area of unspoilt wild land, and in an area that the Council wishes to protect, would…

Posted in Access issues, Nature

Kyle to Lochcarron road still closed

Posted on January 2, 2012 by Helen Webster

A further rockfall means that the A890 between Lochcarron and Kyle will remain closed indefinitely. More than 100 tonnes of rock came loose from the hillside above the road and blocked the road near the tunnel opposite Lochcarron on 22 December. Repairs had meant that the road was about to open when a further rockfall on 30 December blocked the raod again. Highland Council now say the road will be shut indefinitely while work is undertaken and that drivers should check Traffic Scotland for updates. This section of road has suffered from numerous landslips and major work to stablise the…

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New Deer Code places more responsibility on land managers

Posted on January 1, 2012 by Helen Webster

A new Scottish deer code comes into effect this month, with a focus on cooperative and voluntary deer management across the country. The code, developed by Scottish Natural Heritage, is aimed at anyone involved in deer management, including lowland tenant farmers, recreational stalkers, crofters and upland deer managers. As part of the Wildlife and Natural Environment (WANE) bill passed by the Scottish Government, the deer code sets out how those who have deer on their land can deliver sustainable deer management. The code puts new responsibilities on land managers and helps to identify what they must, should or could do…

Posted in Access issues, Nature

Lochcarron to Kyle road closed

Posted on December 23, 2011 by Helen Webster

A massive rockfall has caused the closure of the A890 between Lochcarron and Kyle of Lochalsh. Highland Council says that the road will remain closed on for the rest of Friday 23 December and is likely to be closed on Christmas Eve. The Council says every effort will be made to have the route open on Christmas Day. The nearby railway line is unaffected. More than 100 tonnes of rock came loose from the hillside above the road and has blocked the road near the tunnel opposite Lochcarron. This section of road has suffered from numerous landslips and major work…

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Diversions on West Highland Way and Great Glen Way

Posted on December 17, 2011 by Helen Webster

The recent stormy weather in Scotland resulted in fallen trees causing diversions and warnings on both the West Highland Way and the Great Glen Way. A spokesperson for the West Highland Way said, “A route diversion is in place at Garadhban Forest on the approach to Drymen due to fallen trees blocking the Way. Users are advised that other parts of the route may be impassable due to storm damage. A full inspection is under way, in the meantime please take care and avoid taking unnecessary risks.” Damage is also causing problems on the Great Glen Way with two sections…

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Culra Bothy storm damage

Posted on December 17, 2011 by Helen Webster

The roof on the north room of Culra bothy was damaged in the recent storms. Culra Bothy is sited on the Ben Alder Estate near Loch Pattack and is often used as a base for the Ben Alder munros. The bothy is maintained by volunteers. A spokesman for the Mountain Bothy Association (MBA) said, “This room cannot be used at present. Anyone planning on visiting the bothy during the Christmas and New Year period should be aware that the remaining accommodation in the bothy might be very busy. An assessment of the damage will; be made as soon as possible.”

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Ben Wyvis anti-erosion measures vandalised

Posted on December 7, 2011 by Helen Webster

A Scottish environmental agency has slammed vandals who have destroyed a sign and cairns aimed at reducing erosion on the popular Munro, Ben Wyvis. Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) had erected the sign at the An Cabar cairn to point walkers in the direction of the preferred route up the mountain which is aimed at protecting the fragile habitat from erosion caused by the 8000 walkers who tackle the peak every year. To try and reduce the impact on a wide area of woolly fringe moss, which provides a rare habitat for the dotterel, SNH had erected two temporary cairns at…

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New bothy for Eskdalemuir Forest

Posted on November 30, 2011 by Helen Webster

The Mountain Bothy Association (MBA) has opened a new bothy at Greensykes in Eskdalemuir Forest in Dumfries and Galloway. The building will provide shelter for walkers tackling the hills and through routes around Langholm and Eskdalemuir. An MBA spokesman said, “The building has been used as an open shelter for a number of years and its owner was keen that it should continue to be available for use by walkers and cyclists. Its adoption by the MBA will ensure that this continues to be the case. We are grateful to the owner for agreeing that the MBA should assume responsibility…

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Campaigners say Monadhliath windfarm will hurt tourism

Posted on November 26, 2011 by Helen Webster

Rural tourism is the lifeblood of the Highlands economy and there are significant concerns that the local tourism economy stands to be severely damaged by the Allt Duine wind farm if the go ahead for the site is granted, warns the “Save the Monadhliath Mountains” (SMM) campaign. The Allt Duine site is one of 11 wind farms being developed in-and-around the Cairngorms National Park. The SMM campaign believes there is a line in the sand and this is it, and that this windfarm is a step too far. A spokesman for the campaign said, “Landscapes and wildlife are one of…

Posted in Access issues, Nature

A82 closure planned for December weekend

Posted on November 25, 2011 by Helen Webster

The A82, south of Fort William, will be closed over the weekend of 9 – 12 December to remove a potentially hazardous rock mass. Walkers and climbers hoping to use this main route to Fort William and further north need to be aware that the road will be closed from 10pm on Friday 9 until 6am on Monday 12 December. The closure affects the road just south of Fort William, between the Corran ferry junction and Fort William. Forestry Commission Scotland has advised that there will be signage on all main routes into the area in the weeks leading up…

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