Magazine

Winter conditions alert for mountaineers

Posted on February 28, 2020 by Paul Webster

With winter conditions at last established in Scotland’s mountains, Mountaineering Scotland is reminding hillgoers not to get carried away by excitement. After a winter which has been characterised by warmer than usual temperatures and lack of good snow, many keen hill walkers, climbers and ski tourers are eager to get out into the white stuff and make the most of the pleasures of the winter mountains. But experts have cautioned people to remember the golden rules of winter mountaineering: be prepared, be equipped and check conditions before you go. Heather Morning, Mountain Safety Adviser for Mountaineering Scotland, said “People are…

Posted in Magazine, News

Dear oh Deer: Scotland’s land use saga continues

Posted on February 22, 2020 by David Lintern

Deer are our largest and most populous wild mammal – Are they also an icon of our feudal past, or a conservation whipping boy? David Lintern exhumes the bones of an ongoing debate.

Posted in Features, Magazine, Nature

Peanmeanach Bothy to close as open shelter

Posted on February 19, 2020 by Paul Webster

Ardnish Estate, the owners of Peanmeanach bothy, have informed the Mountain Bothy Association that they have decided that Peanmeanach Bothy will cease to be an open access bothy with effect from early October this year, when it will be locked. The exact closure date has not yet been announced. It will then be renovated by the estate and subsequently reopened and run by them on a not-for-profit basis as a keyed bookable bothy. The reason for closure is based on problems the estate sees as arising from an increased number of visitors. A statement from the Mountain Bothy Association stated…

Posted in Access issues, Magazine

Walkhighlands / Mountaineering Scotland navigation courses

Posted on February 18, 2020 by Paul Webster

Following the success of the joint Walkhighlands/Mountaineering Scotland navigation courses over the last few years there will be a further four courses this year. These single day courses will be held in the Ochils in May and in the Lomond Hills in June. This is the chance to brush up on your navigation skills while meeting other Walkhighlands users on a fun and friendly day. Cost The courses are being run on a no-profit, minimal cost basis and are £55 each to non-members which includes a year’s discounted membership of Mountaineering Scotland. The courses are £35 to MS members. What…

Posted in Magazine, News, Walkhighlands news

Our picks: Scotland’s finest sea arches

Posted on February 3, 2020 by Paul Webster

Scotland’s magnificent coasts extend as far as 16,500km if the islands are included. As well as picturesque fishing villages and magnificent sandy beaches, there is some fantastic cliff scenery, including many mighty sea stacks as featured in a previous ‘our picks’. This time we take a look at natural arches… The Vat of Kirbuster, Stronsay, Orkney The Vat of Kirbuster is a blow hole – locally known as a gloup – whose entrance is spanned by the most spectacular rock arch in Orkney. The Whale’s Mouth, Cullen, Moray Our circular route from Cullen on the Moray Coast reveals not one but two…

Posted in Features, Magazine, Our picks

The Return of the Taghan

Posted on January 26, 2020 by Polly Pullar

Despite centuries of persecution and habitat loss, pine martens have proven themselves to be survivors, and as they expand their range, they’re revealing some surprising secrets. Even a dead pine marten leaves its mark. I won’t forget that first sighting. In front of me lay a beautiful cocoa-coloured animal brought into the public bar of my parent’s hotel in Kilchoan, on the Ardnamurchan Peninsula. It had been caught in a snare and then squeezed into a bloodied game bag. Now it lay on the table revealing an exquisitely furred body so soft to the touch. Its tail was full and…

Posted in Features, Magazine, Nature, Photography

Top award for renowned Scottish landscape photographer, Colin Prior

Posted on January 26, 2020 by Paul Webster

Colin Prior, the founding father of landscape photography in Scotland, wins the Scottish Award for Excellence in Mountain Culture 2020 Organisers of The Fort William Mountain Festival are pleased to announce that Colin Prior, the World-renowned photographer from Glasgow who has made the panoramic format of Scottish mountain photography his signature, is the twelfth recipient of the Scottish Award for Excellence in Mountain Culture. Nominated by the public and his peers as a mountain hero who celebrates achievement, accomplishment and the spirit of adventure, Colin joins previous esteemed winners including Andy Nisbet, Dr Adam Watson, Jimmy Marshall, Myrtle Simpson, Ian Sykes, Dr Hamish MacInnes and…

Posted in News, Photography

‘Death Zone’ mountaineer Nirmal Purja to headline Fort William Mountain Festival

Posted on January 16, 2020 by Paul Webster

The Fort William Mountain Festival 2020 will be held from Wednesday 19th to Sunday 23rd February, headlined by 36-year-old Nepalese mountaineer and former Gurkha in the British Special Forces, Nirmal Purja MBE, who summited all 14 ‘death zone’ mountains (over 8,000 metres) in a record obliterating six months with a truly inspirational talk highlighting this Herculean task. In its 16th year, organisers of the Fort William Mountain Festival will once again stage a stunning line-up packed full of inspiration, education and entertainment, action and adventure, at venues in and around the bustling Highland town of Fort William. The programme includes presentations from…

Posted in Magazine, News

Gear review: Walking trousers for winter

Posted on January 13, 2020 by Paul Webster

Rab Spire Pants Recommended Price: £110Weight: 495g (Men’s 34″ waist) Described by Rab as ‘mid-weight softshell’ trousers, the Rab Spire are made from a double-weave Matrix fabric – 92% polyamide and 8% elastane. There’s a very tough-feeling reinforced fabric on the knees and the inside of the lower leg, great for me as this is where I find my walking trousers usually get badly abraded. Despite feeling robust, the main fabric is also stretchy, with a very soft inner face, and the design includes a diamond gusset and articulated knees – I’ve found them very comfortable to wear. On the…

Posted in Gear reviews, Magazine, Trousers

Shooting the Breeze – Anke Addy

Posted on December 28, 2019 by David Lintern

Our occasional series of interviews with photographers living and working in Scotland continues. David Lintern speaks to Cairngorms afficionado, Anke Addy. You are originally from the lowlands of the Netherlands. How did you end up living and working in Scotland and what attracted you here? As is often the case, it was for work. First, a short-term job at a field centre in South Wales, and from there to Scotland. Having arrived in the North East, more than 35 years ago, we soon appreciated the varied landscape and spent a lot of time out of doors, and still do. How…

Posted in Features, Magazine, Photography