News

Orienteering events to close Moray and Strathfarrar roads

Posted on July 30, 2015 by Helen Webster

The World Orienteering Championship’s and orienteering’s Scottish Six Days event will run at the same time from 31 July to 8 August and will involve some road closures including Glen Strathfarrar on Monday 3 August. The competitions will bring 450 athletes from 50 nations and more than 5,000 others, including club competitors and spectators. Day 2 of The Scottish 6 Days Orienteering event will be held on 3 August in Glen Strathfarrar. Although the Glen will still be open for those on foot or on a bicycle, no vehicle permits will be issued that day and its worth remembering that…

Posted in Access issues, News

Quinag footpath work starts

Posted on July 29, 2015 by Helen Webster

Local footpath repair company Mountains Made Accessible has begun work this week on a programme of repairs to the footpath that leads from the main saddle (the Bealach a’ Chornaidh) to the highest summit of Quinag. The mountain, which includes three Corbetts (over 2500 feet high), dramatic ridges and spectacular views, is one of the most popular in the north of Scotland, bringing vital cash into the Lochinver area However steady footfall combined with the mountain’s exposure to relentless Atlantic weather systems has begun to take its toll on the footpath. The work will be supervised by another Lochinver man,…

Posted in Nature, News

Loch Arkaig night time road closures in August

Posted on July 23, 2015 by Helen Webster

This August will see some disruption for walkers planning routes or bothy trips from Loch Arkaig as the road will be closed during the evening and night for the duration of the month. The 6pm to 6am closure is to allow contractors to carry out essential works relating to connecting the new hydro electric scheme. The closure will commence at the junction of the C1153, the Loch Arkaig road, travelling in a westerly direction for 2km to Achnasaul. The closure will start from Monday 3rd August 2015 until Friday 28th August 2015. The road will close each night at 6pm…

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On going search fails to find missing walkers

Posted on July 20, 2015 by Helen Webster

Searches over the last weekend by the Lochaber and RAF Mountain Rescue Teams failed to find any signs of missing hillwalkers Tom Brown and Eric Cyl. Whilst the MRT search is ongoing, walkers going to the areas these two men were last seen in, are being asked to help. Lochaber MRT say that all potential routes that either of the missing men could have taken have now been searched. Any walkers in Glen Nevis/Mamores/Grey Corries/Aonach Beag/Carn Dearg areas are being asked to keep their eyes open for items of gear/clothing. Eric Cyl, aged 62, is believed to have set off…

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Police Appeal: Missing Person

Posted on July 10, 2015 by Paul Webster

Police Scotland have asked us to help share an appeal for information on the whereabouts of Jackson Alexander Kennedy Reid. Jackson, 42, of Pollokshaws Road, Glasgow, has been missing since 26 June 2015. He is described as 6ft, white, with short dark brown hair. He was last seen wearing a dark grey hooded fleece top and dark grey bottoms. He was also carrying a grey backpack with black panels and is believed to be in possession of camping equipment. Jackson was possibly last sighted up in the Aviemore area on 4 July. There is no guarantee that Jackson is still…

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Ramblers and MCofS call on public to oppose Loch Lomond camping ban

Posted on June 13, 2015 by Helen Webster

Ramblers Scotland and the Mountaineering Council of Scotland (MCofS) are urging the public to oppose the ban on wild camping proposed for large areas of the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. Last October, the National Park held a public consultation on proposals to introduce byelaws to ban camping in response to over-crowding and incidents of antisocial behaviour in the national park. Just over half of all respondents said they didn’t want this restriction to their rights. However the National Park wants to go ahead with this part of the proposals and has asked the Environment Minister, Aileen McLeod,…

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National Lottery grant to tackle path erosion on iconic Scottish peaks

Posted on June 5, 2015 by Helen Webster

A project which brings together Scotland’s two National Park Authorities to address the serious threat of man-made erosion to paths across areas of outstanding natural beauty has been given a major boost with the Heritage Lottery Fund today announcing a grant of £3.26 million. Taking in iconic peaks such as Ben Lomond, Ben A’an, Beinn A Ghlo and Lochnagar, the Mountains and the People project will tackle some of the worst path erosion problems in Scotland by training young people and volunteers to care for the upland landscapes and habitats. The project will give 48 young people the opportunity to…

Posted in Access issues, Nature, News

Arran Coastal Way now on Walkhighlands

Posted on June 4, 2015 by Helen Webster

The Arran Coastal Way has been greatly improved over the last year with new waymarking, path improvements and a new website. A monument to mark the start and finish of the walk in Brodick is planned for later this year. A detailed route description with free OS mapping is now available on Walkhighlands. The Arran Coastal Way is a challenging and rugged long distance route running for 109km mostly around the coastline of the Isle of Arran. The Way fits neatly into a week long holiday, and the excellent bus service around the island makes it possible to walk the…

Posted in News, Walkhighlands news

Top volunteering award given to MBA

Posted on June 2, 2015 by Helen Webster

The Mountain Bothies Association (MBA) has been honoured with the highest award a voluntary group can receive in the UK. Welcoming the the Queens Award for Voluntary Service, MBA Chairman, Simon Birch, said: “We are very proud to have received this award. It recognises the huge efforts that have been made by many, many volunteers over the half century that the MBA has been in existence. These volunteers have restored, and continue to maintain as open shelters, buildings that are greatly valued by those who explore the remoter parts of the country on foot or by bike. “I also want…

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Search continues for missing Mamores hillwalker

Posted on June 1, 2015 by Helen Webster

Police in Lochaber are searching for an overdue hill walker who set off to tackle the Ring of Steall on Saturday morning Eric Cyl, aged 62, hasn’t been seen since setting off in the Mamores, the alarm was raised when he had failed to return by Sunday. The search has involved both Lochaber and Glencoe Mountain Rescue teams, assisted by Search and Rescue Dogs and a Coastguard helicopter. Mr Cyl was last seen wearing a light grey jacket and dark trousers. He was walking alone and carrying two walking poles. Anyone who sighted Mr Cyl on the hill or who…

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