The Mountain Bothy Association says that its volunteers are going to have a busy few months. The Association is planning a large number of work parties, mostly in April and May. Inevitably, this will mean that there will have to be restrictions on use at some bothies while the work is being undertaken, and intending users should be prepared to camp during the periods that this essential maintenance is taking place. As much information as possible is being posted on the Association’s website but the MBA possible to be completely precise about how usage of individual bothies might be affected.…

The Scottish Mountaineering Trust (SMT) has approved a grant of £30,000 to the National Trust for Scotland (NTS) for their Mountains for People project which helps care for footpaths at some of the nation’s most popular walking routes. The four year project which started in April 2009 has been given a major boost by the generous contribution which is spread over three years. Buz Whibley, Development Manager for the NTS said: “The Scottish Mountaineering Trust has granted us the generous total of £30,000 over the next three years. This will go a long way to help the continuing progress that…

The current summer ban on wild camping on east Lomondside could be extended to four islands in the loch if proposals announced by the Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park are given the green light. The islands affected are Inchmoan, Inchconnachan, Inchtavannach and Inchcruin. The National Park is currently consulting on three possible solutions to solve what the National Park describes as “issues of wildlife disturbance, litter, vandalism, irresponsible camping and fire lighting”. The consultation will run for the next three months until 18 June. Speaking about the consultation, Grant Moir, Director of Conservation and Visitor Experience at the…

The summer access arrangements for Strathfarrar will begin on Saturday 31 March. Strathfarrar has a locked gate and only a certain number of cars are allowed into the Glen each day. There are no restrictions on pedestrian access or taking a pushbike beyond the locked gate and wild camping is allowed within the terms of the Scottish Access Code but you cannot park overnight in the Glen. There will be no vehicular access on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings. The Mountaineering Council of Scotland (MCofS) negotiates access along the private road with the landowner on behalf of walkers and climbers and…