A wide-ranging community discussion on the potential reintroduction of lynx to northern Scotland is being launched this month by the Lynx to Scotland partnership. Dozens of events in Highland and Moray will offer information and gather local views on the benefits and concerns that would come with the species’ return.  Lynx to Scotland is a partnership between charities SCOTLAND: The Big Picture, Trees for Life, and The Lifescape Project. Since 2020 it has been assessing whether and how lynx could return to the Highlands through a carefully managed reintroduction process. The partnership says a reintroduction needs to be broadly accepted,…

The 2025 ThinkWINTER campaign focusses on planning and preparation as the key to enjoying Scotland’s hills and mountains this winter. As winter returns to Scotland’s majestic mountains, mountain safety organisations have launched the annual joint ThinkWINTER campaign, reminding outdoor enthusiasts that mountain conditions can change rapidly — and planning and preparation is key to having winter adventures and coming home safe. Whether you’re hiking, climbing, running, mountain biking or ski touring, ThinkWINTER encourages everyone heading into the hills to check the mountain weather and avalanche forecasts, have appropriate clothing and footwear, carry the necessary equipment, and ensure they have the…

This year the Scottish Avalanche Information Service (SAIS) will start its daily avalanche reports from Thursday 11 December. As usual, these will cover the six area of Lochaber, Glencoe, Creag Meagaidh, Southern Cairngorms, Northern Cairngorms and Torridon. With snow cover currently on many Scottish mountains, SAIS will, in the meantime, monitor conditions and future weather patterns in collaboration with Met Office meteorologists. SAIS says, “Generally snow cover is expected to be superficial but more significant accumulations are likely in the Northern mountain ranges of Torridon and the Cairngorms. Be alert to deeper unstable accumulations in localised steep wind sheltered places.…

Scotland’s long-awaited overhaul of farming subsidy fails to replace “invaluable” lost funding for paths and public access, a leading walking charity has warned.  It had been widely expected that the Scottish Government’s new draft Rural Support Plan would roll out new post-Brexit subsidies for funding outdoor access infrastructure, including the nation’s tens of thousands of miles of paths.   Ramblers Scotland says it was “shocked” to discover that the Scottish Government’s emerging Rural Support Plan contains no replacement for the vital Improving Public Access (IPA) scheme – which previously invested around £2 million a year into paths, bridges and signage before being suspended…

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…

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…

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…

Fantastic to see everyone’s adventures in July on the Walkhighlands forum – plenty of mentions of clegs (horseflies) and midges but also a fair bit of sunshine for the school holidays. Vouchers for outdoor gear from Highlander are winging their way to the people behind two very memorable mountain days. 1st prize and a £100 Highlander voucher goes to teaandpies for Icon for 150  – an epic day on the Ring of Steall that seemed very unlikely only a few months before. The runner-up this time is another Walkhighlands forum regular, Dogplodder for From Black Mount splendour to car park torture which wins…