A proposed path running from Tyndrum to Oban has the potential to attract 32,000 visitors per annum and bring £1m a year in to the local economy, according to a report published today by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH). If the plan comes to fruition the new route is likely to be called The Way to the Isles. Running through impressive mountain scenery, woodlands and alongside lochs before reaching the coast, the route would pass through the villages of Dalmally, Lochawe, Taynuilt and Connel. Covering approximately 45 miles, it would link the West Highland Way to the Oban to Fort William…

The first Moray Walking Festival will take place next week, from Thursday 21 June to Sunday 24 June inclusive and offers a unique opportunity to walk in Scotland's Malt Whisky Country, for Moray is the home to more than half of Scotland's malt whisky distilleries. The dates have been carefully chosen to make the most of the north of Scotland's long days and summer light. The programme, available and bookable on the website, includes walks for a wide range of abilities in a choice of beautiful locations, from Highland Moray in the Cairngorms National Park to the sandy beaches and…

Long distance walker and photographer, Chris Townsend, will be launching his new book on Thursday 21 June in Grantown on Spey. Grizzly Bears and Razor Clams tells the story of Chris's walk along the 1200 mile Pacific Northwest Trail, which runs for 1200 miles from the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific Ocean through the states of Montana, Idaho and Washington. This is a wilderness route which much challenging terrain and remote country inhabited by bears and wolves. The trail is in its infancy; a mix of signed footpaths, abandoned old trails, dirt roads, animal tracks and cross-country hikes that made…

Fresh from allegations of faking accidents to spice up filming during an expedition, explorer Ranulph Fiennes will be talking about his career during an evening in Inverness on 20 June. The organisers of the event say that, “When world-renowned Polar Explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes turned his attentions from the great frozen wilderness of the Poles to the world’s highest and most testing mountains he faced several challenges. For a start he was just entering his sixties and recovering from a very severe heart attack, had no climbing experience and, not least, suffered from vertigo! This is the inspirational story about…

A week of wildlife events based around Gairloch will run for its second year from 21 June. A wide range of trips, talks and guided walks including a lichen tour, a kayaking trip, a bat evening and a wildlife photography workshop are planned. Locals and visitors to the area are invited any number of the events, many of which have to be booked in advance. Running throughout the week, sponsored by the John Muir Trust and Hillbillies Bookstore in Gairloch will be a nature writing competition, with entrants being asked to capture something of the essence of wild Gairloch in…

Manny Gorman, who completed an epic 70 day run over all the Corbetts in 2009, will be giving a presentation on Thursday 14th June in Glasgow. It will take place in the City of Glasgow College, North Hanover Street, the tower block opposite Queen St train station, in lecture theatre BG11 in the basement, and will start at 6:30pm. The evening is free but a donations box for Cairngorm Mountain Rescue Team will be available. As places are limited advance booking is essential by email to Manny to reserve a place. More details on the 2009 Corbett round can be…

The body of a hill walker who went missing in the Cairngorms in January have been found. Grant Cunliffe, 49, from Skipton in Yorkshire had been staying Corrour Bothy in the Lairig Ghru when he was reported missing when he failed to return from his hillwalking trip. Mr Cuncliffe’s remains were discovered in the Braeriach area on Thursday. Police were assisted at the scene by the Cairngorm Mountain Rescue Team and an RAF search and rescue helicopter. Several mountain rescue teams, search dogs and a helicopter were involved in several days of searches for Mr Cunliffe in January. Mr Cuncliffe’s…