Magazine

Beavers to be released at Loch Lomond nature reserve

Posted on December 15, 2022 by Helen Webster

NatureScot has today approved a licence application from RSPB Scotland to release a family of beavers at Aber Burn in the Loch Lomond National Nature Reserve (NNR). The decision marks the third new site approved for the release of beavers in Scotland, following the initial beaver reintroduction trial at Knapdale in Argyll and the release at Argaty, near Doune, last year. The application from RSPB Scotland was submitted in October and was assessed by NatureScot in line with the Scottish Code for Conservation Translocations, which considers a range of issues including animal welfare, site suitability and potential impacts on neighbouring…

Posted in Magazine, Nature, News

Start and End at Home

Posted on December 7, 2022 by David Lintern

With Scotland’s mountains resplendent in their white winter coats, David Lintern looks at winters past. Did he make good decisions, or was he just lucky? I love winter. I love everything about it – the challenge, the wild weather, that light, a land made strange and alien under snow. And yes, the extra risk. But in 2018, I was confronted with the less palatable side of that fascination. My friend Stef suggested a 3-day trip around some of the harder to reach bits of the Highlands – a few Corbetts and Munros in Monar, including Lurg Mhòr and Bidein a’…

Posted in Features, Magazine

The Fife Coastal Path – it only took me 12 years!

Posted on December 2, 2022 by Ben Dolphin

It’s funny how moving homes motivates you to visit the things you thought you always would, but somehow never did. Those famous local places that you assumed would always be on your doorstep, but then one morning you wake up to find you have a completely new doorstep, and those hitherto local places…..aren’t. Earlier this year, after 12 years in Fife, I moved to Braemar. Obviously, I love my new doorstep. It’s the Cairngorms for goodness sake! But it’s also about as far from the coast as you can get, and I do miss having the sea close by. True,…

Posted in Features, Magazine

Gear Review – Midlayers

Posted on December 1, 2022 by Helen Webster

As winter approaches, layering becomes even more important. In the past we’ve reviewed a variety of synthetic and down layers that offer lots of insulation – but when it’s cold, I often also want a additional warm layer I can wear all day over my base, both for the additional warmth but also the flexibility – so that I can remove my padded insulating jacket when working hard on an ascent without getting too cold. The main things to consider are warmth, breathability and drying speed (both the material and venting features such as zips). Does the garment fit easily…

Posted in Features, Gear reviews, Magazine, Midlayers

One Man’s Legacy – Tom Patey

Posted on November 30, 2022 by Mike Dixon

A new book by Mike Dixon chronicles the brief but brilliant life of Dr Tom Patey: bard, musician, and one of Scotland’s foremost climbers and mountaineers. His story is one of pioneering ascents and boundless enthusiasm, and his spontaneity, carefree approach and ability to burn the candle at both ends remain legendary, several decades after his untimely death. By drawing on Patey’s essays and verses the narrative is imbued with dry wit and gentle satire, and brought to life by unseen images from renowned photographer John Cleare and the Patey family archive. Supported by a foreword from Mick Fowler and…

Posted in Features, Magazine

£100,000 awarded to Scottish mountain path project

Posted on November 27, 2022 by Helen Webster

The recipient of the Scottish Mountaineering Trust (SMT) 60th anniversary award was announced at the Dundee Mountain Film Festival on Saturday (26th November 2022), with the ambitious ‘It’s Up to Us’ campaign scooping the £100,000 Diamond Grant. The winning application comes from an exciting new partnership between the Outdoor Access Trust for Scotland (OATS) and Mountaineering Scotland. It aims to develop a sustainable long term funding model that will change the perceptions of the public, Government and agencies to ensure that hill path repair and habitat restoration is recognised for its social, economic and environmental benefits. The campaign will start…

Posted in Magazine, News

Scottish Avalanche Forecasts to start 15 December

Posted on November 22, 2022 by Helen Webster

Recent snowfall in the hills means a standby avalanche forecast service will be provided from now on for the Lochaber and the North Cairngorms areas. The Scottish Avalanche Information Service (SAIS) will work with Met Office meteorologists to monitor future weather patterns. When significant blanket snow cover is likely to be present in the mountains SAIS avalanche forecasters will carry out field observations and produce public avalanche hazard reports. Lochaber reports are likely to be a good reference for the western highland ranges and Northern Cairngorms reports for the eastern highland ranges. Full daily avalanche forecasts for the 6 mountain…

Posted in Magazine, News

Lyrics from the Landscape – Iona Lane

Posted on November 21, 2022 by Helen Webster

Intrigued by the name of her new album, Helen Webster caught up with modern folk-singer, songwriter and storyteller Iona Lane to find out how the Scottish landscape inspires her music. Congratulations on your debut album and the high praise it’s been receiving. It’s called Hallival after the mountain on the Scottish island of Rum and you’ve said that a lot of the songs stem from walks you have done thanks to Walkhighlands, can you describe how walking and the landscape inspires you and your music? Thank you so much, it’s been an amazing journey so far and it’s wonderful to…

Posted in Features, Magazine

Glen Etive road closed until 2nd December

Posted on November 14, 2022 by Helen Webster

Highland Council have advised that they are carrying out emergency drainage works around Dalness House, Glen Etive. The works are programmed from today, Monday 14 November 2022 until Friday 2 December 2022. Due to available road widths and to protect the operators on the site, the road will be closed for the duration of these works. Emergency services will have access at all times. Residential access will be permitted. This means that the usual routes to Munros – including Ben Starav and its neighbours – and the Corbetts in lower Glen Etive are all inaccessible for the next 3 weeks.

Posted in Access issues, Magazine, News

Gear Review: Dried Backpacking Meals

Posted on October 28, 2022 by Helen Webster

Tasty, nutritious, filling food is as important as weather and scenery to the enjoyment of overnight camps. Exploring some long distance Scottish routes this year while researching a new guidebook has seen us try a number of dried camping meals alongside our “go to” staples of instant mash, cup-a-soups, noodles and couscous. We tried a selection of meals from most brands including meat and vegan, main meals, breakfast and dessert options where available. The selection included brands that dehydrate the whole meal (said to preserve flavour), meals where ingredients are dried separately and then combined, and freeze drying which prolongs…

Posted in Camping, Features, Gear reviews, Magazine