The wire bridge over the Water of Nevis at Steall, Glen Nevis, has been closed after one of its cables snapped on Wednesday 26 May. The bridge links the Glen Nevis property, owned by the John Muir Trust, with land owned by Rio Tinto Alcan. After the incident, the Trust’s Nevis Ranger acted quickly to close off both sides of the bridge and put up warning signs for walkers. Andrew Campbell, head of land management for the John Muir Trust said: “The wire bridge is a Glen Nevis landmark and many walkers enjoy crossing it. It receives a regular maintenance…

The Cairngorms National Park (CPNA) has decided to go ahead with the proposed extension of the Speyside Way to Newtonmore despite objections from one landowner. Last Friday (14 May) the National Park Authority’s Board approved the making of a ‘Path Order’ under the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 which if given Ministerial approval will allow the path to be built without the land owner’s consent. This decision follows years of work on the proposed route and approval ‘in principle’ in 2009 from the Scottish Government to extend the Speyside Way through the Cairngorms National Park. The work has included negotiations…

It’s day 5 of Stephen Pyke’s (aka Spyke) epic attempt to climb all the Munros in under 40 days all under his own steam. Starting off on Sunday 25 April, Spyke has already tackled Ben More on Mull, the quick ascent and descent being followed by a cycle ride and then kayak to the mainland and more cycling before bagging the Glenfinnan Munros. Day 2 comprised Glenfinnan to Fersit, taking in the 10 Munros north of Glen Nevis, many still snow covered. Days 3 and 4 saw him complete the 14 peaks around Loch Ossian and Ben Alder with an…

The consultation on the proposed ban on wild camping along a section of the east shore of Loch Lomond has entered its final week. The Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority says that it has already received over 250 responses to its proposals and is keen for interested people to use the final days until 3 May to have their say. the proposal will see a new byelaw introduced that will ban wild camping along the east side of the Loch between Drymen and Rowardennan. The proposal is being mooted in response to a growing problem of litter…

The dramatic coastal Chain Walk at Elie in Fife has been closed due to extensive vandalism. Fife Council, which maintains the route, says that about two thirds of the chains have been stolen. The chains are a necessary part of the scramble which provides a low-tide exciting route around Kincraig Head near Elie. In many places the route relies on chains to allow walkers to stay on the small rock-cut steps and avoid a dangerous slip onto rocks or into the sea below. The Council says that without the missing chains, the route is dangerous and it has placed warning…

The public agency which now runs the Cairngorm funicular railway has proposed that parking charges be introduced at the car park at the funicular to help fund running costs. Approximately half the people using the car park actually go on the funicular, the others being walkers, climbers and skiers. The Scottish Parliament is due to release a report into the funding and running of the Cairngorms funicular railway today. Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) had to step in when the railway floundered under massive financial problems and has spent £19.42m in total towards the cost of building and running it.…