The Fords of Avon refuge for walkers and mountaineers in a remote part of the Cairngorms National Park is to be re-built by volunteers from the Mountain Bothy Association after permission was granted by the Cairngorms National Park Authority last Friday. The meeting on 4 March 2011, heard how the existing stone-clad, timber hut in Glen Avon has provided emergency shelter for walkers since it was built by a military unit in 1970 and in that time has saved many lives. CNPA Board Member and Moray Councillor, Allan Wright, said: “The shelter lies on the historic Lairig and Laoigh walking…

Hillwalkers wanting to access hills from the village of Fersit near Roy Bridge are warned that Inverlair Bridge will be closed until midnight on 6 March. Although a temporary pedestrian bridge and shuttle bus will be provided, there will not be sufficient parking on the Roy Bridge side of the closed bridge for visitors. Fersit is the starting point for the hills of Stob Coire Sgriodain, Chno Dearg and Stob Coire Easain and Stob a’Choire Mheadhoin.

It’s all change at the Cairngorms Local Outdoor Access Forum as it reaches its sixth year. The Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) is keen to hear from volunteers who can make a positive contribution to outdoor access in the Cairngorms National Park by becoming a member of the Forum. The Forum plays a vital role in advising the CNPA and others on matters to do with outdoor access, sculpting and shaping future projects to deliver wide ranging benefits to communities and visitors alike whilst respecting the land, the wildlife and the culture of the Cairngorms National Park. Paul Corrigan, Convener…

The path round Loch an Eilein, on the Rothiemurchus Estate, near Aviemore, will be partially inaccessible to visitors during half term due to essential thinning work being carried out in the forest from 9th February to 23rd February 2011. The effect of this will be that the only access to Loch an Eilein will be through the car park or from Inshriach. The Estate is asking mountain bikers to be very careful when arriving at the car park and advising that there may be more people walking on the paths than usual. Rothiemurchus Rangers expressed their regret at the timing…

Plans to reintroduce water buses on Loch Lomond were shown off last week during a ministerial visit, and at the same time the National Park started taking bookings for camping on Inchcailloch island. Roseanna Cunningham visited Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority to hear about their vision to boost water-based tourism, recreation and transport services. Central to the plan is the introduction of water buses which will improve community and tourism links across the loch, cut down road use and reduce harmful emissions. The water bus service was tested over six weeks last year and attracted move than…

Forestry Commission Scotland is advising all locals and anyone thinking of visiting Schiehallion that access to the main car park is to be severely restricted throughout February. The main car park, known as Braes of Foss, will only be open at weekends to allow essential engineering works to be carried out. Hamish Murray, for the Commission in Tayside, said, “We’re in the process of upgrading the site and will be removing the old toilet block to make way for a new composting toilet unit. “If all goes well we hope to have things back to normal by the beginning of…