News

Loch Lomond camping ban likely to be extended

Posted on October 2, 2014 by Helen Webster

Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park plans to widely extend the current seasonal wild camping ban for East Loch Lomondside to much more of the National Park. The areas to be covered include most of the lochs in the Trossachs, the majority of the the west side of Loch Lomond as well as the north-east area of Loch Long. These proposals will be put the the National Park’s Board at a meeting next Monday (6 October) before a public consultation. However it is clear from the report that the Park Authority is very keen to get these new legally-enforceable…

Posted in Access issues, Nature, News

Bulldozed hill tracks – photos wanted

Posted on October 1, 2014 by Helen Webster

People following the contentious issue of bulldozed hill tracks may be aware that the Scottish Government has signalled its intention to change the law. The current situation is that planning consent is required for new tracks, or alterations to existing ones, unless they are for forestry of agricultural purposes in which case planning consent is not required. This has created a ‘grey area’ which has allowed some landowners to bulldoze often badly constructed tracks claiming that they are for forestry or agriculture when they are for sporting purposes, for example an estate which uses its tracks primarily to get access…

Posted in Nature, News

Rannoch wind farm could damage Scotland’s global reputation says JMT

Posted on September 30, 2014 by Helen Webster

Leading conservation charity the John Muir Trust warned today (Tuesday 30th September) that the proposed Talladh-a-Bheithe windfarm in Rannoch, being discussed this afternoon in the Scottish Parliament, could have a disastrous impact on Scotland’s reputation for spectacular landscapes. If approved the wind farm will adversely affect views from 5% of Scotland’s 282 Munros, including Buachaille Etive Mor and Schiehallion, which the John Muir Trust has looked after since 1989. Celebrated in books such as Robert Louis Stevenson’s Kidnapped and films such as The 39 Steps and Trainspotting, Rannoch Moor is one of the largest remaining wild areas in Scotland and…

Posted in Nature, News

Still time to donate unwanted gear

Posted on September 26, 2014 by Helen Webster

Gift Your Gear, the outdoor gear recycling initiative, will be accepting donations in all Rohan stores until 5 October. Drop off your unwanted waterproofs, fleeces, outdoor trousers, insulated jackets, hats and gloves regardless of brand including children’s clothing at any Rohan Shop and receive 15% off a full priced purchase made the same day as a qualifying Gift Your Gear donation. Gift Your Gear is the brainchild of Rohan founder Sarah Howcroft and cleverly matches unwanted outdoor gear with UK community organisations, youth groups and charities working with young people in the outdoors. Sarah, stresses the importance of reusing outdoor…

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Rannoch wind farm would kill golden eagles say mountaineers

Posted on September 25, 2014 by Helen Webster

Scotland's mountaineers have expressed concerns about the possible threat to rare wildlife from the proposed Talladh a Bheithe Wind Farm. Hundreds of residents, businesses and landscape protection organisations are actively opposing the scheme to build 24 wind turbines, each 125 metres tall, together with the wide access tracks, buildings and infrastructure, on moorland between Loch Rannoch and Loch Ericht. The impact on wildlife is a key concern for some including George Macdonald, who recently retired after 23 years as head gamekeeper on a local estate. His views are backed up by Scottish Natural Heritage whose own objection suggests that the…

Posted in Nature, News

Trossachs walks coverage expanded and updated

Posted on September 22, 2014 by Paul Webster

Walkhighlands’ coverage of walking in the Trossachs area has been expanded and updated. New routes added close to Callander and Aberfoyle include the beautiful waymarked Primrose Hill circuit above Loch Katrine, along with many other brand forest walks. Other routes have been completely rewritten and updated, whilst many new hill routes have also been added or revised. Several new routes up Corbetts have also been added, including Beinn a’ Chaisteil and Beinn nan Fuaran above Auch, Meall nam Subh in Perthshire; further Corbett routes are still being added.

Posted in News, Walkhighlands news

Dundee Mountain Film Festival tickets on sale

Posted on September 18, 2014 by Helen Webster

Tickets are now available for this year's Dundee Mountain Film Festival starting on the evening of Thursday 27th November and running through to Saturday night. The festival is the UK's longest continuous running mountain film festival. It showcases an international programme of speakers, as well as award winning films and exhibitions, held in Discovery Point, and Bonar Hall, Dundee. 2014 will present two evening programmes on 27th, 28th, and one full day programme on Saturday 29th all featuring films and personal appearances including talks by Karen Darke and Martin Moran. There will also obe a supporting exhibition of art, photography,…

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Public to be consulted on future of Glenmore

Posted on September 15, 2014 by Helen Webster

Members of the public are being invited to come along to a drop in session on Thursday 25 September to find out about and give their views on the long term management of publicly owned land in Glenmore and Upper Rothiemurchus forests near Aviemore. This area includes land managed by Cairngorm Mountain and is the starting point for many walks both up onto the Cairngorm plateau and in Rothiemurchus forest itself. Earlier this year Forestry Commission Scotland purchased Upper Rothiemurchus Forest from the Grants of Rothiemurchus Esate for £7.4 million. The event will be held at Glenmore Visitor Centre and…

Posted in Access issues, Nature, News

Wind farm near Ben Wyvis refused planning

Posted on September 9, 2014 by Helen Webster

Highland Council has refused planning permission for a wind farm on the slopes of Carn Gorm, about 8km south west of Ben Wyvis, a popular Munro. The Mountaineering Council of Scotland and John Muir Trust had opposed the proposal. Council planning officials advised that the scheme would have a detrimental impact on wild land. The Trust’s Head of Policy, Helen McDade, said: “This is a victory for wild land and for common sense. The Trust vigorously objected to the development. We are delighted that the Highland Council has taken this decision. “We are especially heartened at the council’s recognition that…

Posted in Nature, News

Mountain Safety Day 11 Oct Stirling

Posted on September 6, 2014 by Helen Webster

With a keynote talk by well-known writer and broadcaster Cameron McNeish, Mountain Safety Day 2014 will offer a host of demonstrations, displays and instruction available for mountain-goers of all abilities. The free event is organised by the charity Mountain Aid, supported by the Mountaineering Council of Scotland, and aims to promote safe enjoyment of the hills by increasing awareness and giving people access to information, resources and learning and training opportunities. Mountain rescue teams (including SARDA – the Search and Rescue Dog Association), youth organisations such as the Scouts and Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, hill walking and mountaineering clubs…

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