New action for threatened Highland woodlands and species

Posted on March 26, 2014 by Helen Webster

With concerns over the state of many Scottish woodlands – and fears for the long-term survival of iconic species including red squirrel, pine marten and capercaillie – conservation charity Trees for Life is marking its 25th anniversary this year with a significant expansion of its forest restoration work across the Highlands and with new projects focusing on the recovery of endangered species. Trees for Life is now extending the geographical range of its forest restoration activity from its previous project area of 1,000 square miles west of Inverness and Loch Ness, and is exploring opportunities to restore neglected and derelict…

Posted in Nature

Six birds of prey found dead near Muir of Ord

Posted on March 25, 2014 by Helen Webster

The bodies of five red kites and a buzzard have been found in the Muir of Ord area of Ross-shire in the last week. The birds of prey were found dead at several different nearby locations. Police Scotland it that at this stage in the investigation it was not clear how the birds died, but said it was likely the deaths involved “some form of criminality”. Det Insp Scott McDonald said: “I would ask anyone who has been working on the land or using the area for recreational purposes to contact us if they have seen anything suspicious that may…

Posted in Nature

Gear Short: SteriPEN Ultra

Posted on March 24, 2014 by Phil Turner

We’re lucky to have probably the world’s finest water in Scotland, so most hillwalkers think nothing of swigging straight from the burn – in fact, it’s one of my greatest outdoor pleasures (especially when combined with a local single malt…). Even in Scotland precautions need to be taken though, extracting water downstream of a dead sheep is never wise, and ensuring that you’re well above farmland and any surface run-off is a good move. Risks from contaminated water include waterborne pathogens – protozoa (causing, for example, cryptosporidiosis), bacteria (eg. dysentery) and viruses (eg. hepatitis). There’s also the matter of particulate…

Posted in Accessories, Camping, Gear reviews

Appeal to save Glen Licht House

Posted on March 21, 2014 by Helen Webster

Edinburgh University Mountaineering Club (EUMC) has put out an urgent appeal for donations to repair Glen Licht House. The hut, which is nestled among the Five Sisters of Kintail, is normally available to individuals and clubs by advance booking. Unfortunately, Glen Licht House’s roof was badly damaged in a storm last winter and the building is now falling apart. The EUMC is looking to raise both awareness of the issue and money to help repair it. The Club says that as well as essential structural repairs, they will also be able to improve the house’s interior with a better stove,…

Posted in Access issues, News

East Highland Way route improved

Posted on March 20, 2014 by Helen Webster

A new access gate near Pattack Falls – enabling walkers to reach a new bridge over the River Pattack – has enabled improvements to be made to the route of the East Highland Way. The new stretch uses a track and a path to avoid what used to be an unpleasant 2km stretch of road-walking on a busy, twisty section of the main A86 road; it is the latest in a series of changes which have reduced the road walking on the route by around 13km in total. Kevin Langan, who devised the route (as well as writing the guidebook),…

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Flytipping may force closure of Tyrebagger car park

Posted on March 19, 2014 by Helen Webster

Forestry Commission Scotland's Aberdeenshire team is appealing to members of the public to help keep a popular walker's car park open, by reporting incidents of fly tipping. Dan Cadle, the Recreation Forester in the area, said, “Over the last month we have had repeated dumping of fly tipped material in our Tyrebagger car park – in total about 6 tipper loads of house-hold and building trade waste. “We have reported it to Police Scotland and they are already following up on leads, and we are also passing them CCTV camera pictures of dumpers at the site. “Every time that we…

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Bothy work and closures planned for 2014

Posted on March 18, 2014 by Helen Webster

The 2014 bothy maintenance season is about to get into full swing and whilst the Mountain Bothies Association (MBA) aims to keep disruption to a minimum, it is warning that some bothies may have to be closed for a short period or that space at some may be restricted. The MBA asks that walkers should check the maintenance programme on the MBA website and to be prepared to camp. It also says that work party dates can change, sometimes at short notice so it is worthwhile checking before setting off on a trip. Major work is to be carried out…

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Gear Review: The North Face Fuse Uno jacket

Posted on March 17, 2014 by Phil Turner

One of the joys of my job is the chance to fondle the latest innovations in outdoor equipment – be it a new wonder-fabric, tent design or super-efficient stove. So I was excited to receive a sample of the latest output from the TNF labs – a waterproof jacket made from a single piece of fabric. The North Face Fuse Uno Price: £340 Weight: 349g (size M) innovation, weight, fabric front zip, pockets, hood Fabric Most modern hardshell jackets designed for mountain use contain a mix of fabric panels – breathable at places where you’re likely to get sweaty (eg.…

Posted in Gear reviews, Jackets

Survey shows wind farms are damaging Scottish tourism

Posted on March 17, 2014 by Helen Webster

A new survey shows that walkers and climbers are turning their backs on Scotland as electricity companies industrialise wild lands. The Scottish Government is being called on to act now to protect wild lands as a survey reveals that wind farms in mountain areas are damaging a key area of tourism. The call from Scotland’s representative body for mountaineering comes ahead of tomorrow’s debate at Holyrood when MSPs will discuss the Draft Third National Planning Framework. A survey of nearly 1,000 climbers and hill walkers, carried out by the Mountaineering Council of Scotland, revealed that 68% say parts of Scotland…

Posted in Nature, News

Bla Bheinn path restoration nominated for European cash award

Posted on March 17, 2014 by Helen Webster

The outdoor retailer Berghaus has nominated a path restoration project on the Skye Munro Bla Bheinn for a £24,000 award. The contest, which will be decided by the public in an online poll, has been organised by the European Outdoor Conservation Association (a not-for profit environmental outdoor charity with over 120 members from Norway to Spain and from the UK to the Czech Republic). The Bla Bheinn project is nominated in the Alpine category of the awards – another Scottish entrant for path and forest works in the Trossachs is also nominated in the Outdoors category. Voting opens today, more…

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