There looks set to be another delay in the long running plans to extend the Speyside Way. Currently the long distance route from Buckie on the Moray Firth ends at Aviemore, however for the last 14 years there have been plans made to extend it to Newtonmore. Much of the hold up has been due to objections from the Kinrara Estate, one of a number of landowners owning land on the proposed extension. In May 2010 the Cairngorms National Park Authority decided to use a path order to enforce access over the 7km stretch on the Estate’s land. These powers,…

The Mountaineering Council of Scotland (MCofS) has launched a booklet of advice for mountaineers on how to have a minimal impact on the landscape. The advice provides a one stop shop introduction to pretty much all issues to do with mountaineering practice to help people reduce their impacts while out doing anything in the hills, including walking. As well as general advice on the best ways to reduce erosion, what to do with food waste, where and how to go to the toilet, and walking with dogs, there is specific information about camping, rock climbing, cairns and memorials, and winter…

Just in time for the next icy blast and snowfall, the Scottish Avalanche Information Service will start producing daily forecasts from Thursday 16 December. The five areas covered by the hazard warnings are Lochaber, Glencoe, Creag Meagaidh, South Cairngorm and North Cairngorms. The Service has been producing weekend forecasts for Lochaber and the Northern Cairngorms for the past few weeks due to the early heavy snowfall. As well as viewing the forecasts on the internet, the forecasts are available as text alerts by subscription, and the website is also mobile friendly so it views well on smartphones. Last year the…

With ice forming over the lochs in some of Scotland’s national nature reserves, Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) has issued a wide appeal to those enjoying the frozen outdoors to play safe. Last winter a group of visitors were seen running across frozen Loch Kinord in Muir of Dinnet National Nature Reserve. Reserve manager, Catriona Reid, said she is concerned some may try it again. She said: “It’s great to see people getting out to enjoy Scotland’s stunning winter landscape, and national nature reserves are magical places to visit in these conditions. Muir of Dinnet is a real winter wonderland with…

The National Trust for Scotland is aiming to celebrate the 155th anniversary of the birth of Sir Hugh Munro by climbing every Munro by 16 October. A team of staff and volunteers from conservation charity will take to the hills on Friday 5 November at Ben Lawers. Teams of staff and volunteers from the charity have pledged to summit every Munro owned by the charity, in time for Sir Hugh Munro’s 155th birthday on 16 October 2011, spreading the word about the charity’s vital countryside conservation work. The Trust owns and cares for 46 of Scotland’s 284 Munros, at locations…

The winter access arrangements for Strathfarrar will begin on Monday 1 November. If you want to take cars into the glen on or after that date you need to phone the MCofS office (01738 493 942) during weekday office hours to obtain the combination for the padlock and provide your name, car registration number and dates of when you will be going. There are no restrictions on pedestrian access or taking a pushbike beyond the locked gate. The MCofS negotiates access along the private road with the landowner on behalf of walkers and climbers, more details including the summer access…

The Scottish stag stalking season has now come to an end. This year, in addition to the Hillphones recorded message system, a new website was trialled aimed at giving walkers and climbers up to date access information. If you used the site, called Heading for the Scottish Hills, and run by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), it would be really helpful if you could provide any feedback which will be used to improve the website. The Mountaineering Council of Scotland, which was a partner in the trial, has expressed disappointment that many estates did not post detailed stalking and access information,…