ScotWays (The Scottish Rights of Way & Access Society) is appealing for information from people who have used the Ben Alder level crossing to access long-distance routes west of Dalwhinnie in the Highlands. This is part of continuing efforts to resolve the problems created by Network Rail’s closure of the level crossing. Previous actions have included a public petition signed by over 9000 people, meetings with Network Rail and an open letter from multiple organisations to the Transport Minister. The Ben Alder level crossing is immediately south of Dalwhinnie station in the Cairngorms National Park and is recorded as part…

Severe weather conditions over Scotland’s mountains look set to continue through the weekend and into next week, and great care will need to be taken by anyone accessing the hills. Mountain bikers have also been warned of potentially dangerous conditions in forests, for weeks to come. Experts have stressed the importance of being properly equipped for full winter conditions in the mountains and of planning routes according to the weather and avalanche forecasts before any trip. Specialist mountain weather forecasts are predicting sustained periods of gales or even hurricane-force winds on higher terrain for the next week. Snow, rain and…

For its 60th birthday next year, the Scottish Mountaineering Trust is offering a ‘Diamond Grant‘ of up to £100,000, to a project that helps more people to experience and enjoy the mountains, especially in Scotland. The Trust was set up in 1962 to support deserving mountain projects, and over the years has contributed £1.6 million to a very wide range of schemes. A student training weekend – a mountain rescue base – a mountain film festival – a club hut – a new bridge – all these and many more have been helped, through grants ranging from a few hundred…

Politicians have joined businesses, landowners, councils and outdoors organisations in signing an open letter calling for the unlocking of Dalwhinnie level crossing gates. Kate Forbes MSP and Ariane Burgess MSP are among 15 diverse signatories to the letter to Alex Hynes, managing director of Scotland’s Railway. Network Rail padlocked the gates without consultation in late July, severing an historic route to popular lochs, glens and hills including much-loved Ben Alder. Rail chiefs have so far refused to back down, despite a joint petition signed by more than 9,000 people and unanimous opposition from key stakeholders at a meeting last month.…