News

Cape Wrath community buy out gets go ahead

Posted on June 15, 2013 by Helen Webster

The Scottish Government has approved the community buy out application for land and buildings at Cape Wrath. This follows the decision by the Ministry of Defence not to seek to purchase the land, which had led to concerns that access to the Cape would be restricted. Commenting, the First Minister said: “The approval of the Durness Development Group application is a very welcome next step towards Scotland’s ambitious new target of a million acres in community control by 2020. “If the community is able to go ahead and successfully purchase the land, it will secure a stronger local economy for…

Posted in Access issues, News

Eigg celebrates 16 years of community ownership

Posted on June 13, 2013 by Helen Webster

Each year since the buy-out in 1997, the Isle of Eigg has celebrated its achievements and this is no different; Eigg is a determined, enterprising community. The Isle of Eigg Heritage Trust says, “June 12th is not only 16th anniversary of the buy-out but also marks five successful years running of Eigg's world-leading electricity system. Community-inspired and community-run our scheme uniquely combines power from the three renewable resources of solar, wind and hydroelectric generators into a stable controlled grid that supplies all who live, work and holiday on our Island. Life changing and life enhancing the system has encouraged growth…

Posted in Nature, News, Walkhighlands news

Have your say on the Cairngorms National Park path network

Posted on June 12, 2013 by Helen Webster

The Cairngorms National Park is currently reviewing the walking routes it has designated as 'core paths' and would appreciate input from walkers. The Cairngorms has the most extensive system of core paths in Scotland and the National Park has been very proactive in getting the network into good condition through a programme of path construction, improvement and signage. Following the extension of the National Park boundary to include the area around Blair Atholl, the Cairngorms is the first access authority in Scotland to review its core paths plan and propose extending it. Designating routes as 'core paths' is important as…

Posted in Access issues, News

Dog walkers urged to avoid cows with calves

Posted on June 12, 2013 by Helen Webster

After the death of a dog walker in England last month, Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), Scottish Land & Estates, and NFU Scotland are advising dog walkers to avoid fields with cows and young calves. The three organisations say that cattle may see dogs as a threat and react aggressively or panic when they have dependent young calves and they advise walkers: – Don't take a dog into a field where there are calves, lambs and other young animals. Walk through a neighbouring field or on the land next to it. In more open country, keep your dog on a short…

Posted in Access issues, News

Seabirds and song for Isle of May open day

Posted on June 9, 2013 by Helen Webster

Seabirds, song, and story will all be part of Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) celebrations at this year's Open Day on the Isle of May on Sunday, 16 June. Seabird experts and researchers will be on hand to answer any questions and talk about the lives of seabirds, including puffins, while Claire McNeil and Karine Polwart will entertain the kids and the young at heart with magical songs and stories about the sea in the South Horn with its fantastic acoustics. The kids can also be transformed into the seabird of their choice by talented face-painters. It's the peak season for…

Posted in News

Picture Power to be used to fight landscape scars

Posted on June 4, 2013 by Helen Webster

Nine environmental organisations are today launching a campaign aimed at protecting the Scottish countryside from unregulated hill track construction. The organisations are calling on members of the public to take photos of poorly designed or constructed tracks while they are out enjoying the hills this summer. These photographs will be used to build up a portfolio of evidence to persuade the Scottish Government to bring construction of the tracks, which have done so much to permanently scar the Scottish landscape, within the planning system for the first time. Helen Todd of Ramblers Scotland and co-convener of the campaign group said:…

Posted in Nature, News

Bodies found in searches for missing walkers

Posted on June 1, 2013 by Helen Webster

Police in the Highlands investigating the disappearance of Clive Dennier have found a body. The 50 year old reporter who worked for the Strathspey and Badenoch Herald, based in Grantown on Spey, failed to turn up for work on 25 March having talked about going hillwalking over the previous weekend. Mr Dennier’s car was found west of Invergarry four days after he was reported missing and despite extensive searches in the Kinlochhourn and wider Knoydart area no sign of the missing man was found until the Police received a call from a member of the public on Friday 31 May.…

Posted in News

MSPs to quiz Ministers on future of wild land

Posted on May 28, 2013 by Helen Webster

The John Muir Trust' “Better Protection for Wild Land” petition will be discussed in detail at the Scottish Parliament's Petitions Committee today (Tuesday 28 May) when MSPs take evidence from Paul Wheelhouse, the Minister for the Environment and Climate Change, and Derek Mackay, the Minister for Local Government and Planning. The cross-party committee, which last month heard from the two top officials of Scottish Natural Heritage, will explore the Scottish Government's response to the Trust's campaign for a new national designation to protect Scotland’s finest wild land. Speaking in advance of the meeting, Stuart Brooks, John Muir Trust Chief Executive,…

Posted in Access issues, Nature, News

Scottish Midge Forecast back for 2013

Posted on May 20, 2013 by Helen Webster

The Scottish Midge Forecast has relaunched for its' ninth season, mapping midge levels across Scotland to help people plan their outdoor activities. Using a set of algorithms relating midge activity to a variety of environmental and seasonal factors, the forecast is supported by live catch data from a network midge traps operated by volunteers across the country. The Midge Forecast says, “Since it was first trialled in 2004, the midge forecasting system has proven to be as accurate as other established forecasts such sun and pollen indexes. “As the forecast uses historical midge catch data – which is continuously verified…

Posted in News

Remembering Tom

Posted on May 19, 2013 by Cameron McNeish

In his monthly Viewpoint column, outdoors writer, broadcaster and mountain walker Cameron McNeish pays tribute to the memory of climber, TV presenter and outdoors writer Tom Weir. IN the past few weeks substantial donations from the publishers of the Scots Magazine and Scottish Television have anchored a campaign to create a life sized bronze statue of one of Scotland’s most iconic outdoorsmen. Some months ago a group of fans came together to make sure that the late Tom Weir was remembered in perpetuity. They hope to raise the £50,000 that’s required to build the statue of Tom and place it…

Posted in Features, Magazine, News