Dog walkers urged to avoid cows with calves

Posted on June 12, 2013 by Helen Webster

After the death of a dog walker in England last month, Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), Scottish Land & Estates, and NFU Scotland are advising dog walkers to avoid fields with cows and young calves. The three organisations say that cattle may see dogs as a threat and react aggressively or panic when they have dependent young calves and they advise walkers: – Don't take a dog into a field where there are calves, lambs and other young animals. Walk through a neighbouring field or on the land next to it. In more open country, keep your dog on a short…

Posted in Access issues, News

Trust applauds 'milestone' windfarm decision

Posted on June 11, 2013 by Helen Webster

The John Muir Trust has welcomed the decision of Energy Minister Fergus Ewing to refuse permission to the 17-turbine Dunbeath wind development as 'a potentially historic milestone in the battle for wild protection'. The Trust lodged an objection to the development back in 2007. The then Scottish Executive ordered a Public Local Inquiry after Scottish Natural Heritage also objected to the proposal. After years of deliberation, the Scottish Government has now refused permission to the scheme on the grounds that “the significant adverse impacts of this proposed wind farm on nearby wild land and key landscape characteristics in conjunction with…

Posted in Nature

Seabirds and song for Isle of May open day

Posted on June 9, 2013 by Helen Webster

Seabirds, song, and story will all be part of Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) celebrations at this year's Open Day on the Isle of May on Sunday, 16 June. Seabird experts and researchers will be on hand to answer any questions and talk about the lives of seabirds, including puffins, while Claire McNeil and Karine Polwart will entertain the kids and the young at heart with magical songs and stories about the sea in the South Horn with its fantastic acoustics. The kids can also be transformed into the seabird of their choice by talented face-painters. It's the peak season for…

Posted in News

Call for walkers help on Ben Lui access

Posted on June 6, 2013 by Helen Webster

The Mountaineering Council of Scotland (MCofS) is working with Argyll and Bute Council and the British Transport Police in trying to resolve the long running problem of access to Ben Lui from Glen Lochy. The MCofS is asking hillwalkers to let them know if they have ever crossed the railway line from the Forestry Commission car park in Glen Lochy on the way to Ben Lui. It is hoped that if enough walkers provide evidence that the line is being crossed, Network Rail may consider putting in a crossing. Walkers will not have to provide contact details so there is…

Posted in Access issues

Picture Power to be used to fight landscape scars

Posted on June 4, 2013 by Helen Webster

Nine environmental organisations are today launching a campaign aimed at protecting the Scottish countryside from unregulated hill track construction. The organisations are calling on members of the public to take photos of poorly designed or constructed tracks while they are out enjoying the hills this summer. These photographs will be used to build up a portfolio of evidence to persuade the Scottish Government to bring construction of the tracks, which have done so much to permanently scar the Scottish landscape, within the planning system for the first time. Helen Todd of Ramblers Scotland and co-convener of the campaign group said:…

Posted in Nature, News

Bodies found in searches for missing walkers

Posted on June 1, 2013 by Helen Webster

Police in the Highlands investigating the disappearance of Clive Dennier have found a body. The 50 year old reporter who worked for the Strathspey and Badenoch Herald, based in Grantown on Spey, failed to turn up for work on 25 March having talked about going hillwalking over the previous weekend. Mr Dennier’s car was found west of Invergarry four days after he was reported missing and despite extensive searches in the Kinlochhourn and wider Knoydart area no sign of the missing man was found until the Police received a call from a member of the public on Friday 31 May.…

Posted in News

Entries sought for mountain writing and photo comps

Posted on June 1, 2013 by Helen Webster

Entries are now open for the 2013 Mountain Article and Photography Competitions. Run by the Mountaineerin Council of Scotland (MCofS) and the Edinburgh Mountain Film Festival, prizes include cash and EMFF tickets, and the deadline for entries is 31 August. The MCofS has encouraged creative mountain writing through this competition since 1987. There have been over 300 entries since it's inception by then President Graham E Little. Past Vice President Ingrid Parker then introduced a Poetry category in 1997. The MCofS says, “We all have it in us, so if you feel you can let it out, then, enter the…

Posted in Uncategorized

MSPs to quiz Ministers on future of wild land

Posted on May 28, 2013 by Helen Webster

The John Muir Trust' “Better Protection for Wild Land” petition will be discussed in detail at the Scottish Parliament's Petitions Committee today (Tuesday 28 May) when MSPs take evidence from Paul Wheelhouse, the Minister for the Environment and Climate Change, and Derek Mackay, the Minister for Local Government and Planning. The cross-party committee, which last month heard from the two top officials of Scottish Natural Heritage, will explore the Scottish Government's response to the Trust's campaign for a new national designation to protect Scotland’s finest wild land. Speaking in advance of the meeting, Stuart Brooks, John Muir Trust Chief Executive,…

Posted in Access issues, Nature, News

Black Grouse benefit from new Ochils woodland

Posted on May 25, 2013 by Helen Webster

A new black grouse lek has been discovered inside the boundary of young woodland at the Woodland Trust Scotland's Glen Devon sites in the Ochil Hills. There are now two active leks within Glen Devon, the first of which was found to be active in 2012. Site manager Gary Bolton said: “By restricting grazing and establishing large areas of new native woodland alongside open ground we have created good conditions for black grouse and many other birds, such as short eared owls, goldfinches and common whitethroats. “Black grouse numbers are increasing but still relatively small at the moment, hopefully their…

Posted in Nature

Gear review: Walking Trousers for him

Posted on May 22, 2013 by Phil Turner

Not the most glamorous item of outdoor clothing, and a bad choice won’t matter that much, but they are still an important garment affecting comfort and weather protection on the hill. Some walkers favour tight and stretchy legging-style trousers like the infamous Ronhill Trackster, others a loose-fitting cargo-pant style. Regardless – they need to offer unrestricted movement. Full-cotton trousers are not ideal – taking an age to dry when wet, but cotton blends such as polycotton are much better. Fully synthetic fabrics are perfect though, lightweight and quick drying while resisting wind. The number and distribution of pockets is a…

Posted in Gear reviews, Trousers