3 out of 4 Scots want wild land protected from windfarms

Posted on June 26, 2013 by Helen Webster

A new poll released today by the John Muir Trust reveals overwhelming support for the proposal that “the 20 per cent of Scotland’s landscape identified as ‘core wild land’ – rugged, remote and free from modern visible human structures – should be given be special protection from inappropriate development including wind farms.” On a five-point scale ranging from ‘strongly support’ to ‘strongly oppose’, 40 per cent said they would ‘strongly support’ protection for Scotland’s wild land, while a further 35 per cent ‘tend to support’ the proposal. Only 2 per cent ‘strongly oppose’ protection, while just 4 per cent ‘tend to…

Posted in Nature, News

Hill tracks

Posted on June 25, 2013 by Cameron McNeish

In his monthly Viewpoint column, outdoors writer, broadcaster and mountain walker Cameron McNeish looks at the proliferation of hill tracks. MOST of us thought it was a dead cert. Something the SNP government could easily do to shore up its environmental credentials, credentials that have been badly dented by continued approvals of mis-sited windfarms. I’m referring to hill tracks and the need for legislation to curb farmers and landowners bulldozing high level tracks so that shooters don’t have to walk too far. Current legislation allows “permitted development” for agricultural or forestry use but few people believe high level tracks for…

Posted in Features, Magazine, Nature, News

Windproofs

Posted on June 22, 2013 by Phil Turner

As discussed in previous reviews I operate a five item approach to layering for most of the year: baselayer, 100 weight fleece, waterproof shell, synthetic insulated jacket and windproof. These five layers can be worn independantly or together (so the sizing needs to be considered) to cope with most weather conditions. The garment that I wear most – but I’ve rarely seen on the hills – is the windproof shell. Just a simple single layer of breathable weather-resistant (not waterproof) fabric like Pertex, it’s lightweight, packable and thanks to a renewable DWR treatment can shrug off light showers and wind…

Posted in Gear reviews, Jackets

Tomintoul Hostel officially reopened

Posted on June 21, 2013 by Helen Webster

Tomintoul Hostel was officially reopened this week by Cameron McNeish, having been taken over from the SYHA by the Tomintoul and Glenlivet Development Trust. It will be known as the Smugglers Hostel, a nod to the whisky smuggling past that the area is well known for. With a long established affinity with hostelling Cameron McNeish, a former Hostel Warden, has previously spoken about his passion for hostelling and his belief in maintaining the Scottish hostelling product. He said: “It is with great pleasure that I am able to officially reopen The Smugglers Hostel. It is great that the community was…

Posted in News

Gleann Dubh-Lighe bothy rises from the ashes

Posted on June 20, 2013 by Helen Webster

Gleann Dubh-Lighe bothy, which was destroyed by fire in 2011, has been rebuilt and is once again available to walkers. With considerable assistance from the owners, Fassfern estate, volunteers from the Mountain Bothies Association (MBA) have spent the last few weeks bringing the building back to life. Only the walls were left standing following the blaze. Now, the building has been re-roofed and windows, doors and a timber floor installed. It has been sub-divided into two rooms and a sleeping platform is being built. The bothy has been rebuilt in memory of Nicholas Randall, a keen hillwalker who was found…

Posted in News

Walkers asked to record bird sightings

Posted on June 19, 2013 by Helen Webster

A bird charity is asking for the help of hill walkers, estate workers and other outdoor folk in order to monitor Scottish upland birds. The British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) says that these are uncertain times for Scotland's upland habitats but by taking the simple step of submitting bird sightings volunteers can make a real difference. More than half of Scotland is upland. Land use and climate are changing and the BTO is seeking to assess the impact of these changes on upland birds. The ‘What’s Up?’ project is simply asking for sightings of birds in upland habitats, along with…

Posted in Nature, News

Wind farms out of control says wild land charity

Posted on June 18, 2013 by Helen Webster

The Scottish Wild Land Group has published a special issue of its magazine, Wild Land News, dedicated to the issue of wind energy. The issue, 'Wind farms gone wild: is the environmental damage justified?', calls into question the Scottish Government's focus on wind power as an effective method of tackling climate change. It suggests that far more needs to be done to protect Scotland’s communities, environments and landscapes from opportunistic development. The magazine features contributions from respected scientists, naturalists and artists; a powerful consensus that wind energy policy has been inadequately justified and comprehensively mishandled. Contributors identify threats to Scotland’s…

Posted in Nature

Cape Wrath community buy out gets go ahead

Posted on June 15, 2013 by Helen Webster

The Scottish Government has approved the community buy out application for land and buildings at Cape Wrath. This follows the decision by the Ministry of Defence not to seek to purchase the land, which had led to concerns that access to the Cape would be restricted. Commenting, the First Minister said: “The approval of the Durness Development Group application is a very welcome next step towards Scotland’s ambitious new target of a million acres in community control by 2020. “If the community is able to go ahead and successfully purchase the land, it will secure a stronger local economy for…

Posted in Access issues, News

Eigg celebrates 16 years of community ownership

Posted on June 13, 2013 by Helen Webster

Each year since the buy-out in 1997, the Isle of Eigg has celebrated its achievements and this is no different; Eigg is a determined, enterprising community. The Isle of Eigg Heritage Trust says, “June 12th is not only 16th anniversary of the buy-out but also marks five successful years running of Eigg's world-leading electricity system. Community-inspired and community-run our scheme uniquely combines power from the three renewable resources of solar, wind and hydroelectric generators into a stable controlled grid that supplies all who live, work and holiday on our Island. Life changing and life enhancing the system has encouraged growth…

Posted in Nature, News, Walkhighlands news

Have your say on the Cairngorms National Park path network

Posted on June 12, 2013 by Helen Webster

The Cairngorms National Park is currently reviewing the walking routes it has designated as 'core paths' and would appreciate input from walkers. The Cairngorms has the most extensive system of core paths in Scotland and the National Park has been very proactive in getting the network into good condition through a programme of path construction, improvement and signage. Following the extension of the National Park boundary to include the area around Blair Atholl, the Cairngorms is the first access authority in Scotland to review its core paths plan and propose extending it. Designating routes as 'core paths' is important as…

Posted in Access issues, News