The Heading for the Scottish Hills website providing information on deer stalking is asking walkers and climbers to complete a short survey about the service provided. The website, which is in its second year, is operated by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) and allows walkers to see information posted by estates on when and where deer stalking will be taking place. Where estates have not posted this level of detail, there is a telephone number to contact the estate for further information. SNH is now wanting to hear from walkers about whether or not they have used the site, what their…

The Snow and Avalanche Foundation of Scotland will be holding a seminar at the end of October at Ratho about avalanche risks. The two day event (29 – 30 October) will also include a presentation by top climber Dave Macleod, which is also bookable separately. The Foundation says that the seminar is, “An opportunity for all winter mountain enthusiasts, skiers, boarders, climbers, walkers, mountain guides, instructors and other professionals to address the challenges that avalanche hazard in Scotland presents. What snowpack conditions are we faced with? How can we effectively manage decision making as enthusiasts, as rescue teams, as individuals…

Walker’s and climbers’s organisation, the Mountaineering Council of Scotland (MCofS) has responded with concern at the plans for parking charges at Cairngorm. Cairngorm Mountain which manages the funicular railway and ski centre is planning to introduce voluntary car parking charges for the Coire Cas car park by the end of August with the longer term plan likely to involve compulsory charging. Cairngorm Mountain says that the voluntary charges will go towards the maintenance of paths, the car park and other facilities. The MCofS says that it would find the introduction of compulsory charges without additional or enhanced facilities “unacceptable”. In…

Ramblers Scotland and Scottish Land and Estates have joined forces to remind dog walkers to take care around cows with calves, following a number of recent incidents where walkers have been injured. Helen Todd, Development Officer with Ramblers Scotland commented: “At the height of summer there is nothing better for most dog owners than getting out into Scotland’s wonderful countryside for a nice walk with your dog. Summer is also the time that you’ll see cows out in the fields grazing with their young calves at foot. However, walkers need to be aware that dogs and cows with calves are…

With the Scottish deer stalking season underway, the Hillphones and Heading for the Scottish Hills online information services are both up and running. The Hillphone service provides answerphone messages with information about stag stalking activities and suggested routes which will minimise disturbance. This system operates in 11 popular hill walking areas until 20th October, and is organised by Scottish Natural Heritage, the Mountaineering Council of Scotland and participating estates. For more details about the areas covered and for the relevant phone numbers see the Hillphones website. Last year a new online information service was piloted by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH).…

The Mountaineering Council of Scotland (MCofS) YouTube Channel reached the 100,000 downloads mark this week. The MCofS channel on YouTube is a great place to find useful information, especially on issues relating to mountain safety. Three video clips in particular have achieved a phenomenal number of downloads. These are: “Crevasse rescue” (39,000), “Roping up for glaciers” (30,000) and “Ice axe self arrest” (23,700). However, the MCofS channel doesn’t just contain videos about winter safety. Videos about aspects of year-round mountain safety include “Water hazards in the mountains”, “When lightning strikes” and “Ticks”. MCofS Mountaineering Development Officer, Kevin Howett, said: “Our…

A new timetabled water bus service means that visitors will now be able to arrive by train and set sail to some of the most scenic towns, villages and beauty spots around Loch Lomond. Following a successful pilot last year, Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park has supported the introduction of daily scheduled services that take in 12 destinations covering south, east, west and north of the Loch. Only 45 minutes from Glasgow, people can now leave their car at home and take ScotRail train services to Balloch or Tarbet stations to catch a boat to places rich in…