Magazine

Review: Long sleeve baselayers

Posted on November 10, 2025 by Helen Webster

La Sportiva: Beyond Long Sleeve RRP: £58 (currently on offer at most outlets)Weight: 153g (women’s S)Fabric: 100% recycled polyester with 15% elastane on reinforcement panels A versatile top for cooler days, the mainly recycled polyester fabric of the Beyond Long Sleeve has polygiene antibacterial treatment which should keep it smelling fresh for multiple days without washing. A step up in terms of thickness from a summer tee, the fabric is soft and comfortable and there are wide mesh panels under the arms which help reduce overheating. The stretchy, reinforced panels at the shoulders and lower sides are a good addition…

Posted in Baselayers, Gear reviews, Magazine

Our pick: Scotland’s hilltop monuments

Posted on November 6, 2025 by Helen Webster

Earlier in the year we featured our pick from Scotland’s best wee hills. But apart from the promise of a view, little attracts people more to climb a smaller hill than the chance to visit a hilltop monument. Built to become local landmarks, these follies, memorials and towers appear in many forms, and scattered all around the country. They form the subject of our latest gallery. Fyrish Monument, Easter Ross The striking monument on Cnoc Fyrish above the Cromarty Firth is a familiar sight to travellers on this part of the A9. Close up it is even more impressive than…

Posted in Features, Magazine, Our picks

Big and Small Mountain Adventures win October prizes

Posted on November 1, 2025 by Helen Webster

The clocks may have gone back, but judging by the number of great walk reports posted on the Walkhighlands forum, people were out and about making the most of the month. October’s £100 1st prize Highlander voucher goes to Bonxie1 for The Inaccessible Pinnacle of Sgurr Dearg, a hat-trick hero – a great read and wonderful photos. Winning the runner-up £50 prize is NeachCoiseachd for Meall a’ Bhuachaille early before weather turns – often people’s first experience of the Cairngorms, this report captures the beauty of this short hillwalk from Glenmore. Congratulations to both winners and thanks to everyone who posted. To be in…

Posted in Magazine, News

Ex-bothy at Culra to be demolished next week

Posted on October 21, 2025 by Helen Webster

The Mountain Bothy Association is planning for the replacement of the old bothy at Culra, which was closed some years ago due to the presence of asbestos. Next week contractors will commence demolition of the existing structure. The existing building will be entirely removed within 7-10 days depending on the weather. MBA and Ben Alder Estate are pleased to confirm that the bothy will be replaced during Spring 2026. A new concrete base will be created once the winter frosts have passed and a completely new building – on the same footprint as the existing bothy – will then be…

Posted in Access issues, Magazine, News

Review: Lifesystems Solo Peak Tent

Posted on October 13, 2025 by Helen Webster

RRP: £229Weight: 1kg (our own measurement came in at just under 1kg including bag, pegs and repair kit) Lifesystems recently launched its first 1 person tent – the Solo Peak. I’ve been testing it, first on a multi-day wild camping trip around Perthshire’s Cateran Trail in wet, autumnal conditions and later on a breezier, cool night out in the Cairngorms. Here’s what I found. Firstly, weight – this tent really does tip the scales at just under 1kg, including a generous ten pegs (it can easily pitch with 8 in calm conditions), waterproof bag, and repair kit including tent splint…

Posted in Camping, Gear reviews, Magazine

Scramble on the Buachaille and a walking rebirth win September competition

Posted on October 3, 2025 by Helen Webster

September turned out to be a great month with loads of great reports of all sorts of adventures. The £100 Highlander 1st prize voucher goes to Borntobemountaingirl for Success on Creag a’ Bhancair Grade 1 Scramble to Stob Dearg – fascinating account of an alternative scramble route up Buachaille Etive Mòr. The September runner-up £50 Highlander voucher prize goes to johnkaysleftleg for Rebirth – fabulous photos of a Cumbrian classic and good to see someone get their walking mojo back. Congratulations to both winners and thanks to everyone who posted. To be in with a chance of winning this month’s competition simply post a…

Posted in Magazine, News

The rut

Posted on October 2, 2025 by Ben Dolphin

I always look forwards to the first subzero morning. Coming so early in the autumn season, when summer still holds the days, it typically occurs after a clear night, which means the subsequent morning is a real beauty. Low sun, mist in the glen, everything tinged with white. A bleary-eyed glance out of the window as I put the kettle on for a cup of tea is never enough, though. I want to both feel and smell the cold, so I stumble outside to be embraced by the frost. Such was the scene on 13th September this year as I…

Posted in Features, Magazine, Nature

Our pick: Scotland’s outdoors towns

Posted on September 6, 2025 by Paul Webster

One of our most popular posts was our pick of Scotland’s most picturesque villages. This time we take a look at larger centres, highlighting 15 Scottish towns which make great bases for outdoors activities. All of the links below give access to places to stay as well as routes to walk. Aberfeldy, Perthshire The attractive grey stone buildings of Aberfeldy cluster on the south side of Scotland’s mightiest river, the Tay, and serve as a gateway to the lower end of Loch Tay and to beautiful Glen Lyon. The town is a great base for countless family walks (the local…

Posted in Features, Magazine, Our picks

Gear Review: Trail running shoes

Posted on September 3, 2025 by Helen Webster

We know many people choose to run the routes on Walkhighlands, and we’ve joined them over the last 3 years. While we’ve both enjoyed building up the fitness and agility needed to be able to tackle many shorter trails, we’ve also taken on longer routes as run-walks and embraced the feeling of moving faster through the landscape. For us, it’s not about speed, but being able to enjoy a different experience; trail running heightens awareness of the conditions underfoot, and enables you to take advantage of shorter windows of good weather to fully immerse yourself in the outdoors. The right…

Posted in Footwear, Gear reviews, Magazine

Cuillin Sunrise and Missing Shoes win August walk report prizes

Posted on September 1, 2025 by Helen Webster

A huge variety of fantastic walk reports last month made it hard to choose the winners. In the end Dramamine pipped the post with an atmospheric tale and great photos A Night on Blà Blà Blà Bheinn (Blaven) – the £100 Highlander 1st prize voucher is well deserved. The August runner-up £50 Highlander voucher prize went to Old Guys Do Ben Alder from Loch Ossian Youth Hostel. A great adventure with a few unexpected difficulties and plenty of frogs. Just a couple of mentions for reports which narrowly missed out on prizes. The judges were fascinated by the different conditions and photos in…

Posted in Magazine, News