Council urged to act over access on Glen Lyon estate

Posted on May 1, 2014 by Helen Webster

The Mountaineering Council of Scotland is to bring pressure on Perth and Kinross Council to take action over a ‘rogue’ estate where access rights seem to be ignored. North Chesthill Estate in Glen Lyon has been a regular source of complaint from walkers over a number of years. The estate contains a popular round of four Munros, Carn Gorm, Meall Garbh, Carn Mairg and Creag Mhor and despite the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003, which enshrined a statutory right of access, mountaineers still experience a range of problems. Despite repeated efforts over a number of years, little progress has been…

Posted in Access issues, News

Wild Space celebrates first year

Posted on May 1, 2014 by Helen Webster

Over 100 a day walk on the wild side as Trust's Wild Space visitor centre celebrates one year milestone The John Muir Trust Wild Space visitor centre on Pitlochry's main street is set to celebrate a successful first year which has exceeded all expectations. Over 32,000 people – well over 100 a day on average – have visited the centre since it was opened by top landscape photographer Colin Prior on 22 April 2013. The Wild Space is now staging its fifth exhibition in the Alan Reece Gallery. These have included oil, watercolour, photographic and mixed media exhibitions by some…

Posted in Nature

Raptor Persecution: a National Disgrace

Posted on April 27, 2014 by Cameron McNeish

I'VE often wondered what it is that makes us so excited and thrilled to see wild animals or birds of prey in their own environment. A few years ago I made a television programme about a long walk on the Isle of Skye and we camped for our first night at Rubha Hunish, at the northern tip of the Trotternish peninsula. Before settling down for the night we had been watching minke whales surfacing just a couple of hundred metres offshore. We were thrilled, a hard-bitten, seen-it-all television crew, five grown men all experienced in the ways and sights of…

Posted in Features, Magazine, Nature

(Battered) Gear Review: Crux AK50

Posted on April 26, 2014 by Phil Turner

After my last post concerning the demise of the Inov-8 Terroc 330 trailshoes and in the midst of an uncharacteristic haze of nostalgia, I began to survey the other items in my gear store that have been called variously "game-changer", "iconic" or "go-to" depending on your penchant for the colloquial. As I’ve just booked my annual trip to the Alps my thoughts turned to the concept of a mountaineering rucksack. Mountaineers look for a rucksack able to cope with hauling in a heavy load of hardware in relative comfort, that’ll then cinch down and remain unobtrusive and rock-resistant during the…

Posted in Gear reviews, Rucksacks

Police raid estate in sea eagle enquiry

Posted on April 25, 2014 by Helen Webster

Police have searched an estate in the Cairngorms National Park following the mysterious disappearance of a tagged sea eagle in the area. The bird, which was the first sea eagle to fledge in Fife in 200 years as part of an re-introduction project, had been fitted with a satellite tag with the last recorded location being on the North Glenbuchat Estate in early April. Since then there have been no sightings or transmitter signals from the bird. Police Scotland said: “We are concerned for the welfare of a white tailed eagle and enquiries are ongoing to locate the bird. Around…

Posted in Nature, News

Last avalanche forecast issued for season

Posted on April 24, 2014 by Helen Webster

The final avalanche forecast from the Scottish Avalanche Information Service has now been issued. The forecasts usually run from December to the middle of April, dependent on the snow conditions and funding arrangements and cover five areas – Creag Meagaidh, Glencoe, Lochaber, Northern Cairngorms and Southern Cairngorms. This winter forecasts for Torridon were provided on a trail basis. The service is funded by SportScotland. Although the 20013-14 winter saw the highest number of recorded avalanches, there were no deaths caused by them in the Scottish mountains this year. Whilst the forecasts have ended for another year, there is still substantial…

Posted in News

Final stage of Loch Leven Heritage Trail now open

Posted on April 23, 2014 by Paul Webster

A final 6.5 kilometre section is now open which completes the Loch Leven Heritage Trail circuit around the loch near Kinross. The new section – which runs from the RSPB Nature reserve at Vane Farm to Kinross – includes the highest point on the trail, and gives some of the best views on the whole 21km route. The final section cost £800,000, and was funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund with further contributions from Scottish Natural Heritage, The Arthur and Margaret Thompson Trust, The Gannochy Trust and Sustrans. A very valuable new donation was a bequest from the late Jean…

Posted in Access issues, News, Walkhighlands news

New wildlife observatory on Lewis

Posted on April 23, 2014 by Paul Webster

The Nature Observatory at Loch Stiapabhat Local Nature Reserve in Ness, Isle of Lewis officially opened last week. Roy Dennis MBE was invited to speak at a short brunch event in Ness before those in attendance grabbed their boots, scopes and jackets and made their way to the loch for the opening of the new observatory. The event was opened by Agnes Rennie, Chair of Urras Oighreachd Ghabhsainn and guests heard a little about the project from Urras Manager Lisa Maclean, who explained that the project was funded by Scottish Natural Heritage, LEADER, RSPB and the John Muir Trust and…

Posted in Nature

Glen Nevis litter pick planned for 27 April

Posted on April 21, 2014 by Helen Webster

The Friends of Nevis are holding their first litter pick of the season on Sunday 27 April. All are welcome to the event at which volunteers plan to clean up areas of Glen Nevis and tidy the area around the Curling Pond. The event starts at 10:30 at the Ben Nevis Highland Centre in the Glen and will run until around 3:30pm. All safety and litter picking equipment provided, together with refreshments and lunch. Under 18s need to be accompanied by an adult. Although you can just turn up, it helps the organisers if you could let them know if…

Posted in Nature

Dog walkers urged to take care around lambs

Posted on April 20, 2014 by Helen Webster

With lambing season well underway, Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), Ramblers Scotland and land management organisations, Scottish Land & Estates and NFU Scotland, are asking dog walkers to be aware of vulnerable young lambs when they're out walking over the Easter holiday weekend. At this time of year, dogs chasing sheep are a particular danger to pregnant ewes and lambs. The Scottish Outdoor Access Code has the following advice for dog walkers: – Don’t take your dog into a field where there are lambs – or calves or other young animals. Walk through a neighbouring field or in the land next…

Posted in Access issues, News