Four car parks in the Trossachs area will be subject to short term closures to allow essential maintenance to take place. The Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park says that the following car parks will be affected on various dates throughout October and November: * Loch Lubhair will be closed for three days starting 25 October * Loch Lubnaig (S) will be closed for three days from 3 November * Loch Lubnaig (N) will be closed all day on 8 November * Venachar (N) will be closed for two days from 11 November The National Park says these dates…

Over the course of 2009-10, the Mountain Bothy Association (MBA) has invested considerable resources in training their volunteers who maintain open shelters throughout the wilder parts of Great Britain. Many of those volunteers undertook work on 56 of the MBA’s shelters which are available for use by walkers on a no-charge basis. Presenting the Association’s Annual Report for 2009-10, MBA Chairman John Arnott said: “Our work party volunteers are the cornerstones of the Association and this year contributed 1,130 working days to the renovation and maintenance of our bothies. We regard the safety of our volunteers as paramount and, whilst…

Six years after major floods swept away the historic bridge at Bracklin Falls near Callander, a new structure is today being inched into position. The new bridge, which is made from copper and wood, is being carefully manhandled into position using people power as location of the gorge means it is impossible to get a crane to the site. The woodland surrounding the site also meant that the bridge had to be built on site as helicopters could not be used. The new bridge will mean that a popular circular walk at the Falls will once again become possible. Since…

The suspension bridge over Corrieshalloch Gorge has been closed after safety concerns. The bridge, which allows views of the Falls of Measach and access to the viewing platform on the north side of the gorge, is owned by the National Trust for Scotland which manages the popular beauty spot, at Braemore junction, south of Ullapool. The bridge is a fairly new structure, having replaced the historic crossing at the same point. At the same time the Trust built a new car park on the Dundonnell road, a viewing platform which overhangs the gorge, and footpaths including an all-abilities trail. The…

Due to high demand, the Loch Lomond Water Bus Circular Service has been extended to the end of September. The service will operate Friday to Monday. The water bus travels between Loch Lomond Shores, Balloch Park, Cameron House and Balmaha giving plenty of time for short walks in each location. At Balmaha it is possible to link up with the summer boat service to Luss and combination tickets are available. The Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park says, “Going by boat gives a new perspective to the landscape and is a gentler way of getting around.” For more details,…

The wire bridge over the Water of Nevis at Steall, Glen Nevis, has now been repaired and is once again open to walkers and others. The bridge has been closed since one its cables snapped on 26 May this year. The bridge links the Glen Nevis property, owned by the John Muir Trust, with land owned by Rio Tinto Alcan.