Police have confirmed that a man's body has been found in the search for a hillwalker missing on Skye since Tuesday evening. The Police have said they will not release his name until a formal identification has been made. The missing man, who is understood to have been in his 60's, was reported overdue by a member of his family on Tuesday. He had been walking in Coire Ghrunnda in the Skye Cuillin. The search and rescue operation, which was co-ordinated by the Police, involved the Skye Mountain Rescue Team, search and rescue dogs, and RAF and Coastguard helicopters.
Government urged not to water down wild land policy
The Scottish Government plans to consult on the wild land map, drawn up by SNH, which will be used to define protected areas in any future wild land policy. This move has been seen by supporters of the proposed policy as a delaying tactic that is likely to result in a reduction and dilution of the proposed protected wild land areas. Stuart Brooks, John Muir Trust chief executive said: “Responses to the Scottish Planning Policy consultation document reveal a concerted assault on the core wild land map by energy corporations and property developers. “They clearly see Scotland’s wild land as…
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Posted in Nature
Scottish Government launches plan to save the wildcat
A new action plan to reverse the decline of the Scottish wildcat within six years was launched today by Environment Minister Paul Wheelhouse. It sets out for the first time a package of measures that a range of land managers, conservationists, and researchers agree has the best prospect for the ‘Highland Tiger.’ The aim is to conserve Scottish wildcats by reducing the chances of cross breeding with domestic and feral cats and by lowering the risk to wildcats from feline diseases. Efforts will be targeted in areas which support the most viable wildcat populations. And a conservation breeding programme will…
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Posted in Nature
Reel Rock film tour comes to Scotland
The Reel Rock tour of the world's greatest climbing and adventure films has added four Scottish dates to its current schedule. The film tour will be coming to Bathgate on 9 October, Aviemore on 10 October, Balloch on 11 October and Glenrothes on 12 October. Further details of venues, times and prices can be found on the tour website.
Posted in Uncategorized
Real Three Peaks Challenge aims to clean up
Highlighting a new initiative to make a clean sweep of Britain's three highest peaks, Ben Nevis conservation officers have called on climbers and walkers to treat the mountain with the respect it deserves. After an especially busy summer season, rangers and volunteers from the John Muir Trust, which manages Scotland's highest and most popular mountain, have had to remove a huge collection of items left behind, including tents, tarps, sleeping bags, stoves, abandoned camps, disposable barbecues and items of clothing. Now, Mountain Training Instructor Richard Pyne, with the support of the Mountain Training Association, has organised the Real Three Peaks…
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Rare whale stranded on St Kilda
The National Trust for Scotland (NTS), has reported that a rarely-seen Sowerby's beaked whale and calf became stranded in the shallow waters of Village Bay, Hirta last week. The 5m long adult female and 1.5m long calf were seen in distress just before 11am on Thursday 12 September. Staff from the NTS and defence contractor QinetiQ immediately attempted to refloat the animals but, despite their quick response and strenuous efforts, were unable to successfully move the mother before it passed away. The calf freed itself without assistance and was last seen swimming out to open water. It is, however, unlikely…
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Posted in Nature
Rab Strata & Xenon X Hoodies
We’re changing the way that we do gear reviews at Walkhighlands – there’s a comprehensive back catalogue of comparative reviews here but we reckon it’s time for a change. This autumn and winter we’ll be looking at an eclectic selection of the very latest releases in a bit more detail than we could before. So – first up are two synthetic insulated hooded jackets from Rab – ideal for Scottish winter. They may look remarkably similar, and externally they are, but it’s the insulation that divides them into two very distinct categories. The Xenon X (pictured on the right) uses…
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Posted in Gear reviews, Jackets
Overwhelming public support for wild land protection
The John Muir Trust has welcomed the resounding two to one support for wild land protection expressed in responses to the Scottish Government’s planning consultation exercise launched in May. Of over 150 submissions to the Scottish Planning Policy consultation document expressing an opinion on wild land, well over 100 back the Scottish Government’s proposal to strengthen protection for 43 core areas of wild land as mapped by Scottish Natural Heritage. Those supporting wild land protection include individuals, environmental and other charities, outdoors organisations, businesses (which included Walkhighlands, some landowners, property agents, and the Federation of Small Businesses), local authorities, community…
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Wild North Assynt Festival
The Assynt community will be hosting a varied festival this October including a number of guided walks and events giving visitors and locals the chance to explore the unique landscape. The Festival kicks off on Friday 4 October with a food tasting event, craft fair and guided walk. During the course of the festival the John Muir Trust will be showing off the work and amazing scenery of Quinag, there will be a workshops on astronomy photography and sculpture, heritage trails including a walk at Clachtoll, a torchlight parade and ceilidh to round off the festival which finishes on Tuesday…
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Posted in News
Walkhighlands pledges support for JMT
Walkhighlands has increased its support for the conservation charity, the John Muir Trust, by becoming a Silver Corporate Member. In addition to publicising relevant JMT campaigns and donating outdoor gear for fundraising, Walkhighlands has donated £500 this year for the Trust’s work to preserve wild land. Paul Webster from Walkhighlands said, “We pledged to donate at least £1000 to conservation and mountain safety this year, and we hope to be able to do more in the future. Silver Corporate Membership of the John Muir Trust is one way we can support the fantastic work of the Trust to which we,…
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Posted in Walkhighlands news