Highlander to sponsor prizes for best Walkhighlands reports

Posted on January 5, 2023 by Helen Webster

We’re delighted that Scotland-based outdoors gear company Highlander have signed up as the new prize sponsors for the Walkhighlands’ walk report of the month competition. The long-running competition has been online for twelve years, taking a break only during the pandemic lockdown. Scottish brand Highlander was founded in the 1980s, when exploring the outdoors was seen as an expensive pursuit. Highlander thought otherwise – that enjoying the challenges and beauty of the outdoors should be available to everyone. Over the years, this ethos has been Highlander’s North Star as it continually strives to create clothing and equipment that helps everyone…

Posted in Magazine, News, Walkhighlands news

New Cairngorms bothy open

Posted on January 2, 2023 by Helen Webster

A new bothy, Ruighe Ealasaid, The Red House has now been officially opened and is available for overnight stays. The bothy is situated in the southern Cairngorms, to the south of White Bridge, in a prime location for hillwalkers bagging the two Munros at the head of the Tarff. It is also in an important position for several long distance routes through the mountains including Linn of Dee to Blair Atholl via Glen Tilt, Kincraig to Blair Atholl via Glen Tilt and the Scottish National Trail. Chair of the Mountain Bothies Association (MBA), Simon Birch said “I want to thank…

Posted in Magazine, News

A Gaelic celebration of the Winter Solstice

Posted on December 21, 2022 by Ruairidh Maclean

As Scotland marks its longest night and shortest day – the Winter Solstice – acclaimed Gaelic writer, broadcaster and storyteller Roddy (Ruairidh) Maclean has compiled a unique Gaelic compendium for NatureScot which celebrates the nature, land and heritage of Scotland in the winter season. 1. Winter Solstice: Oidhche nan Seachd Suipearan (The Night of the Seven Suppers) The 21st of December is the longest night and shortest day of the year. It is so named because it can feel – for good or for bad – like a night so long that you could sit down to supper seven times before the…

Posted in Features, Magazine, Nature

Beavers to be released at Loch Lomond nature reserve

Posted on December 15, 2022 by Helen Webster

NatureScot has today approved a licence application from RSPB Scotland to release a family of beavers at Aber Burn in the Loch Lomond National Nature Reserve (NNR). The decision marks the third new site approved for the release of beavers in Scotland, following the initial beaver reintroduction trial at Knapdale in Argyll and the release at Argaty, near Doune, last year. The application from RSPB Scotland was submitted in October and was assessed by NatureScot in line with the Scottish Code for Conservation Translocations, which considers a range of issues including animal welfare, site suitability and potential impacts on neighbouring…

Posted in Magazine, Nature, News

Start and End at Home

Posted on December 7, 2022 by David Lintern

With Scotland’s mountains resplendent in their white winter coats, David Lintern looks at winters past. Did he make good decisions, or was he just lucky? I love winter. I love everything about it – the challenge, the wild weather, that light, a land made strange and alien under snow. And yes, the extra risk. But in 2018, I was confronted with the less palatable side of that fascination. My friend Stef suggested a 3-day trip around some of the harder to reach bits of the Highlands – a few Corbetts and Munros in Monar, including Lurg Mhòr and Bidein a’…

Posted in Features, Magazine

The Fife Coastal Path – it only took me 12 years!

Posted on December 2, 2022 by Ben Dolphin

It’s funny how moving homes motivates you to visit the things you thought you always would, but somehow never did. Those famous local places that you assumed would always be on your doorstep, but then one morning you wake up to find you have a completely new doorstep, and those hitherto local places…..aren’t. Earlier this year, after 12 years in Fife, I moved to Braemar. Obviously, I love my new doorstep. It’s the Cairngorms for goodness sake! But it’s also about as far from the coast as you can get, and I do miss having the sea close by. True,…

Posted in Features, Magazine

Gear Review – Midlayers

Posted on December 1, 2022 by Helen Webster

As winter approaches, layering becomes even more important. In the past we’ve reviewed a variety of synthetic and down layers that offer lots of insulation – but when it’s cold, I often also want a additional warm layer I can wear all day over my base, both for the additional warmth but also the flexibility – so that I can remove my padded insulating jacket when working hard on an ascent without getting too cold. The main things to consider are warmth, breathability and drying speed (both the material and venting features such as zips). Does the garment fit easily…

Posted in Features, Gear reviews, Magazine, Midlayers

One Man’s Legacy – Tom Patey

Posted on November 30, 2022 by Mike Dixon

A new book by Mike Dixon chronicles the brief but brilliant life of Dr Tom Patey: bard, musician, and one of Scotland’s foremost climbers and mountaineers. His story is one of pioneering ascents and boundless enthusiasm, and his spontaneity, carefree approach and ability to burn the candle at both ends remain legendary, several decades after his untimely death. By drawing on Patey’s essays and verses the narrative is imbued with dry wit and gentle satire, and brought to life by unseen images from renowned photographer John Cleare and the Patey family archive. Supported by a foreword from Mick Fowler and…

Posted in Features, Magazine

£100,000 awarded to Scottish mountain path project

Posted on November 27, 2022 by Helen Webster

The recipient of the Scottish Mountaineering Trust (SMT) 60th anniversary award was announced at the Dundee Mountain Film Festival on Saturday (26th November 2022), with the ambitious ‘It’s Up to Us’ campaign scooping the £100,000 Diamond Grant. The winning application comes from an exciting new partnership between the Outdoor Access Trust for Scotland (OATS) and Mountaineering Scotland. It aims to develop a sustainable long term funding model that will change the perceptions of the public, Government and agencies to ensure that hill path repair and habitat restoration is recognised for its social, economic and environmental benefits. The campaign will start…

Posted in Magazine, News

Scottish Avalanche Forecasts to start 15 December

Posted on November 22, 2022 by Helen Webster

Recent snowfall in the hills means a standby avalanche forecast service will be provided from now on for the Lochaber and the North Cairngorms areas. The Scottish Avalanche Information Service (SAIS) will work with Met Office meteorologists to monitor future weather patterns. When significant blanket snow cover is likely to be present in the mountains SAIS avalanche forecasters will carry out field observations and produce public avalanche hazard reports. Lochaber reports are likely to be a good reference for the western highland ranges and Northern Cairngorms reports for the eastern highland ranges. Full daily avalanche forecasts for the 6 mountain…

Posted in Magazine, News