Access issues

Wilderness Weekend success on Arran

Posted on October 18, 2011 by Helen Webster

An innovative new outdoors project that introduces disabled people to woodlands and green space has taken its first six participants to Arran to take part in an inaugural ‘Wilderness Weekend’. This project is to encourage more people with disabilities to access woodlands and green space. Forestry Commission Scotland and The National Trust for Scotland have worked with Scottish adventuress Julie McElroy to develop the Wilderness Weekend, which saw the group taking part in a range of outdoor activities. Participants, aged between 20-74 years old, got involved in a series of pursuits including arts and crafts and woodland walks. They also…

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Planners recommend Tyndrum gold mine approval

Posted on October 13, 2011 by Helen Webster

In the latest round of planning decisions for the proposed gold mine at Cononish, near Tyndrum, planning officers are recommending approval. The Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority will consider Scotgold Resources Ltd’s plans on 25 October. The original planning application was refused by the Park Authority in August 2010. This latest application is an amended application which was submitted in July this year, it was given a cautious welcome by SNH and the John Muir Trust on the proviso that environmental concerns had been properly addressed. Scotgold chief executive Chris Sangster told the BBC, “We are delighted…

Posted in Access issues, Nature

Ben Lawers car park and Glen Ogle road closure

Posted on October 13, 2011 by Helen Webster

Building work has now begun for a new car park near the site of the old Ben Lawers Visitor Centre which was demolished last year. The Mountaineering Council of Scotland reports that the new car park will be located in a more discrete position and is due to completed by early 2012. In addition a dry stone enclosure will be built on the path leading from the car park to the nature trail which will provide an interpretive display about Ben Lawers. Toilets will not be provided at the new car park which is being constructed by the nature reserve…

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Sallochy West Highland Way campsite now bookable online

Posted on October 10, 2011 by Helen Webster

The new basic campsite set up at Sallochy can now be booked online. Following the summer camping ban which is now in place on the east side of Loch Lomond between Drymen and Rowardennan, a new campsite at Sallochy Bay was established. During its first season of operation there have been some complaints from walkers on the West Highland Way that a permit had to be bought in advance in Balmaha and that on route information about the site was hard to come by. The campsite, which is for tents only and has basic toilet facilities but no drinking water,…

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Report calls for new ski developments higher in mountains

Posted on October 5, 2011 by Helen Webster

A government-funded report has called for the construction of new ski resorts to be built higher in the Scottish mountains. The report – commissioned by Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise, says that “Scottish resorts will have to develop, where possible, the snowsports experience at higher altitudes and improve access to higher snow fields by rationalising / replacing surface tows with chairlifts, creating accessible mini resorts higher up the mountain”. The report notes that skiing in Scotland currently has a total economic value of £30 million per year, with 194 direct full-time equivalent jobs at the resorts and a…

Posted in Access issues, Nature

Future of Ben Nevis summit posts to be decided

Posted on October 1, 2011 by Helen Webster

The John Muir Trust is consulting with the Mountaineering Council of Scotland’s Safety Committee and Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team to determine what, if anything, should be done with both the top marker post on the lip of Coire Leis and the No 4 Gully Marker on the summit plateau of Ben Nevis. As a wild land charity the Trust has a presumption against structures, way markers and poles on the summit. Currently there are numerous structures and poles which have been placed there over the years. If there isn’t a clear reason for these to remain then the Trust says…

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Deer Stalking reminder

Posted on September 24, 2011 by Helen Webster

Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) is reminding walkers heading for the hills this autumn to check ahead for possible deer stalking taking place on estates. It is also keen to hear from walkers about their experience of doing this and would like hill walkers to complete a short survey. The busy stag stalking season which runs until 20th October and is at its peak around now, is also a popular time of year for walkers. Because of requests from walkers and land managers SNH developed the Heading for the Scottish Hills website with support and advice from the National Access Forum.…

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Loch Ness windfarm rejected

Posted on September 21, 2011 by Helen Webster

Highland Council has voted against plans for a 23 turbine wind farm at Druim Ba between Kiltarlity and Abriachan to the northeast of Loch Ness. Planning Committee Councillors decided that the visual impact and the effect on an important tourist area would be unacceptable. The area, which is currently forestry, is just to the north of Loch Ness and very near to part of the Great Glen Way and a number of walks and cycle trails at Abriachan. The planned turbines would have been almost 150 (490ft) metres high. The Scottish Government is now likely to make the final decision…

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Cameron McNeish backs Monadhliath windfarm campaign

Posted on September 19, 2011 by Helen Webster

A growing campaign backed by renowned mountaineer, writer and broadcaster Cameron McNeish has issued a call-to-arms to stop the go-ahead of a proposed wind farm at Allt Duine, situated on the very edge of the Cairngorms National Park. The proposed Allt Duine wind farm represents one of 11 wind farms that either already exists or are at the planning application stage in the Cairngorms National Park area alone. With this in mind, campaigners are increasingly concerned about the cumulative effect of turbines on the unspoiled landscape of Scotland’s largest national park, so have formed a campaign group, Save the Monadhliath…

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Luss to Balmaha Water Bus extended

Posted on September 8, 2011 by Helen Webster

Cruise Loch Lomond has announced that the Loch Lomond Water Bus service from Luss to Balmaha will now run until the end of October instead of stopping at the end of September. Stuart Cordner from Cruise Loch Lomond said: “We have been delighted with the popularity of the successful new Luss to Balmaha cruises operating in their first full season. The Luss and Balmaha Explorers, The Capercaillie and The Wee Gem cruises have been popular with both day trippers and holidaymakers. Many visitors have taken advantage of this route which allows access to either shore of the Loch and enables…

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