Gaelic landscape and language talk in Portree

Posted on July 25, 2014 by Helen Webster

John Stuart-Murray will give an illustrated talk about his novel Reading the Gaelic Landscape at the Aros Centre on Skye on Saturday 26th July at 4.00pm. Reading the Gaelic Landscape aims to encourage people to read and understand Gaelic and investigate the history around them. Murray determined to write it after a woman could not tell him why Poll nam Muc (Pool of the Pigs) and Loch Bad an Òig (Loch of the Spot/Thicket of Youth) were so named, despite the fact both landmarks were close beside the croft her family had lived on for generations. Murray’s work provides non-speakers…

Posted in Uncategorized

Ben Lomond torchlit walk to remember WWI

Posted on July 24, 2014 by Helen Webster

A memorial beacon will shine out on the summit of Ben Lomond on the night of Saturday 16 August, marking 100 years since World War I. The area around Ben Lomond, including the mountain summit, has been designated as a war memorial, called the Ben Lomond National Memorial Park since 1995. The beacon, created by artificial light, will mark the half-way point in a special torchlit walk being held to raise funds for conservation charity, the National Trust for Scotland, which cares for Scotland’s most Southerly Munro. The Trust is offering walkers the chance to sign up and pay the…

Posted in News

Peter Macfarlane joins Walkhighlands as gear editor

Posted on July 22, 2014 by Paul Webster

We’re delighted to welcome Peter Macfarlane to Walkhighlands as our new gear editor. Peter is a freelance outdoor writer and photographer and will be familiar to many as a regular contributor to Trail Magazine. His work has also appeared in other magazines and he has covered outdoor topics on both TV and radio. Peter is usually found out in the Scottish mountains where he’s gained his experience of equipment testing and found a preference for simplicity and light weight. He is also known through his blogging – and forum appearances – as PTC*. His first review will be published early…

Posted in Walkhighlands news

Wonder of Sea Eagles revealed in Fife

Posted on July 21, 2014 by Helen Webster

A programme of activities to encourage more people to come and watch magnificent white-tailed sea eagles in Fife forests was launched today (Monday 21 July 2014). The latest stage in a long-running collaboration between RSPB Scotland, Forestry Commission Scotland and Scottish Natural Heritage, the programme highlights the success of the species since it was re-introduced to Scotland. RSPB Scotland’s Rhian Evans, who has played a key role in the reintroduction programme said; “Persecution wiped sea eagles off the UK map almost 100 years ago but they’re now back – and doing remarkably well, with three breeding attempts in east and…

Posted in Nature, News

Shooting the breeze – Night photography

Posted on July 20, 2014 by David Lintern

I’m very lucky to have a wide and varied brief here at Walkhighlands, but I try to thread my ramblings together with reasonable photos. I hope to develop the photographic thread a little more over the coming months, and I thought I’d start with one of my great personal pleasures of camping out – taking photos at night. Taking photos at night is a real performance, in more ways than one. Setting up and operating the camera is more difficult in low light. Tripping over and breaking said machine or indeed the operator is not conducive to good results. Because…

Posted in Features, Magazine, Photography

Wildcat haven to be set up in Ardnamurchan

Posted on July 19, 2014 by Helen Webster

Work is currently underway to establish a haven for the Scottish wildcat in a remote location on the Ardnamurchan peninsula. The idea is to encourage breeding of the pure wildcat, which is on the verge of extinction, by neutering local feral domestic cats to prevent them breeding with the wildcats. The project, which covers an area of 250 square miles, is being run by scientist Dr Paul O’Donoghue and the Aspinall Foundation who took over from the Scottish Wildcat Association (SWA) last year. Dr O’Donoghue told the BBC Radio that the animals had the best chance of surviving in the…

Posted in Nature

Get Outdoors Weekend planned for 9 – 10 August

Posted on July 18, 2014 by Helen Webster

Ramblers Scotland is calling on everyone in Scotland to follow the inspiration of the Commonwealth Games and make a pledge to get outdoors and get active on the weekend of 9-10 August. The first ever ‘Get Outdoors Weekend’ aims to help everyone across Scotland discover the fun of getting active outdoors. Inactivity in Scotland is a huge problem with 39% of Scots not meeting the minimum recommended level of physical activity. To create a Commonwealth Games legacy Ramblers Scotland is inviting everyone to put on their walking boots or get the bikes out of the garage and plan some time…

Posted in News

Walkers warned of dehydration danger

Posted on July 17, 2014 by Helen Webster

Hill walkers generally concentrate on keeping water out. But a mountain safety expert has reminded walkers and climbers that it’s important to take enough water in too. Dehydration can lead to a lack of alertness, which can have serious consequences on difficult or exposed ground. And it can lead to problems through poor decision-making and poor performance. That’s not to mention headaches and aching limbs. Heather Morning, Mountain Safety Adviser with the Mountaineering Council of Scotland (MCofS), said: “It’s important to drink plenty of fluids when hill walking – especially during the warmer weather in summer. “As we climb a…

Posted in News

South Scotland could support many more golden eagles

Posted on July 16, 2014 by Helen Webster

A report published today finds that South Scotland could support up to 16 pairs of golden eagles. The Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) report found that, with suitable conditions, many more breeding golden eagle pairs could inhabit South Scotland. Currently, there are just one to two pairs attempting to breed in Galloway, and one to three pairs attempting to breed in the Scottish Borders. The report finds that South Scotland could support between 11 and 16 pairs. As a whole, the Scottish golden eagle population numbers 440 pairs, mainly in the Highlands and Islands. The report presents a novel approach in…

Posted in Nature

9 million visits to National Forests last year

Posted on July 16, 2014 by Helen Webster

A recent survey carried out by Forestry Commission Scotland has revealed that 9.1 million visits are made to the National Forest Estate every year, with walking by far the most popular activity. 72% said they visited a forest to walk, with around 8% cycling, and the remainder enjoying sightseeing, wildlife and picnics. Scotland’s national forests are also contributing to the tourism economy. It is estimated that around 77 per cent of people spend money during their forest trip. Commenting on the All Forests Survey 2, Environment & Climate Change Minister Paul Wheelhouse said: “Forestry Commission Scotland is the largest provider…

Posted in News