Scientists and mountaineers uncover new finds on Ben Nevis

Posted on August 26, 2014 by Helen Webster

A team of scientists and mountaineers have made new discoveries on the highest mountain in the British Isles. Over the past two weeks, Ben Nevis has been the site of one of the most extensive and logistically challenging surveys to have taken place on a Scottish mountain. Project Manager, Tristan Semple of the Nevis Landscape Partnership, said “it has been a real privilege to add to the scientific understanding of our most iconic national landmark. The multi-disciplinary team of experts have been abseiling hundreds of metres down cliff faces and using new technology to uncover some of the mountain’s remaining…

Posted in Nature

Trust launches legal challenge against Stronelairg decision

Posted on August 26, 2014 by Paul Webster

The John Muir Trust has lodged a petition to the Court of Session asking for a judicial review of the decision on June 6 by Energy Minister Fergus Ewing to grant consent to a 67-turbine wind farm in the Monadhliath Mountains without any Public Local Inquiry. The decision was taken in the face of opposition from the government’s own advisory body, Scottish Natural Heritage; from the Cairngorm National Park Authority; and from three out of the four local councillors in Strathspey and Badenoch. Written objections to the development from the public outnumbered supporting letters by a margin of almost 15…

Posted in Nature, Walkhighlands news

Meall a Bhuachaille path gets volunteer makeover

Posted on August 25, 2014 by Helen Webster

Volunteers are busy hard at work upgrading one of the Cairngorm's most popular walks. Eight people are currently working on Meall a Bhuachaille, just north of Glenmore Lodge, near Aviemore, which had been beginning to show some heavy path erosion. The project has been organized by Cairngorm Outdoor Access Trust (COAT) and Forestry Commission Scotland, which manages the Forest park. The Commission is additionally providing forestry work experience for some of the trainees keen to develop skills in this area. Brian Duff, the Commission’s recreation forester in Glenmore Forest Park, said: “It’s great to have such enthusiastic and committed people…

Posted in Access issues, Nature, News

Hillwalkers advised to check deer stalking info

Posted on August 24, 2014 by Helen Webster

Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) is advising walkers heading for the hills this Autumn to check ahead for possible deer stalking taking place on estates. The stag stalking season is also a popular time of year for walkers. SNH has launched this year’s Heading for the Scottish Hills service to reduce disturbance during the stag stalking season (1st July to 20th October), by giving walkers information to plan routes away from stalking areas – this information is also available direct on the relevant hill route descriptions on Walkhighlands. Just go to the relevant hill walk description on Walkhighlands and you will…

Posted in News

Mark Beaumont talk in Aberdeen

Posted on August 23, 2014 by Helen Webster

Mark Beaumont who has cycled around the world, rowed the Arctic and has just returned from following The Queen’s Baton through 71 countries will give a talk at the Copthorne Hotel, Aberdeen on Thursday 11 Sep at 7.30 pm on his adventures, followed by a book signing. All proceeds in aid of Aberdeen Mountain Rescue Team. Mark will share what it took to cycling around the world in record breaking time, to rowing the Arctic and of course, his adventures in the mountains. Mark has just returned from an 118,000 mile journey in the build up to Glasgow 2014, filming…

Posted in News

Government protects wild land against Glenmorie windfarm plans

Posted on August 21, 2014 by Helen Webster

Energy Minister Fergus Ewing has today refused planning consent for the 34-turbine Glenmorie wind farm near Bonar Bridge in the Highlands. The Energy Minister agreed with the findings of the Public Local Inquiry Reporter that the wind farm would cause unacceptable landscape and visual impacts, including on wild land. Highland Council had earlier objected to Glenmorie Wind Farm LLP’s application stating it would impact the landscape and scenery of the area. Mr Ewing said “Scotland has enormous potential for renewable energy that is delivering jobs and investment across Scotland, and I am determined to ensure communities all over Scotland reap…

Posted in Nature, News

Mountaineers welcome Scottish Parliament debate on Rannoch plans

Posted on August 20, 2014 by Helen Webster

Scotland’s mountaineers have welcomed news that plans for a wind farm which threatens to ruin the beautiful wild land round Rannoch will be debated by the Scottish Parliament. Talladh a Bheithe Wind Farm Ltd wants to build 24 wind turbines, each 125 metres tall, together with the wide access tracks, buildings and infrastructure, on spectacular moorland between Loch Rannoch and Loch Ericht. Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, has secured a members’ debate on 30th September on the proposed industrial-scale development. He has already put a motion before the parliament which backed the MCofS and John Muir Trust…

Posted in Nature

Scottish government announces new controls on hilltracks

Posted on August 20, 2014 by Paul Webster

The Scottish countryside will receive extra protection from hilltracks through new planning controls, Local Government and Planning Minister Derek Mackay has announced. Through the introduction of a prior notification and approval process, planning authorities will be able to consider how proposed tracks will impact on the environment and intervene to ensure that design, siting and appearance are acceptable. Hilltracks for any other purpose will continue to require full planning consent. The requirements will be introduced across the country later in the year, and will be an extension of existing prior notifications under Class 18 agriculture and Class 22 forestry which…

Posted in Nature, News

Mountain expert warns of August hypothermia

Posted on August 19, 2014 by Helen Webster

Flooding and gale force winds, and a forecast of sleet and snow on Scotland’s highest mountains, has prompted a mountaineering expert to warn hillwalkers to be prepared and wrap up warm. Temporary Mountain Safety Adviser with the MCofS, David ‘Monty’ Monteith advised: “Sleet has been forecast for the higher hills in the coming week, and we’ve just seen torrential rain which swept away two bridges in the Cairngorms and made many streams impassable for a period, as well as causing landslips and damage to footpaths. “Wind and rain are the classic combination for bringing on hypothermia. Once someone’s clothes are…

Posted in News

Stop bugging me

Posted on August 19, 2014 by David Lintern

This time, we’re focusing on 3 things that can make Scottish summer camping a real trial. Forewarned is forearmed, and believe me, these 3 will love your forearm… and the backs of your knees. You can’t get rid of them completely, but with the right preparation, you can keep their mischief to a minimum. Midges Easily the most irritating summer highland hazard other than caravans on the A82, midges can and will turn a rose tinted wild camp fantasy into a crawling, biting Cronenberg-esque nightmare. Midge season is early June to early September, with peak season being late July through…

Posted in Features, Magazine