MCofS urges hillwalkers to put a spring in their step

Posted on April 22, 2013 by Helen Webster

The mountain hare is putting a spring in its step and changing coat for summer in the Scottish mountains. The Mountaineering Council of Scotland (MCofS) is asking walkers what they are doing to prepare for summer trips to the mountains. The MCofS is calling out to hill walkers, especially those working their way through the Munros and Corbetts, with a springtime message to consider their skill levels and look at the information and other services offered by the MCofS ahead of the summer season. The MCofS says, “The fatalities of the winter season were a stark reminder of the uncompromising…

Posted in Access issues, Nature, News

Walkers asked to spot Hen Harriers

Posted on April 22, 2013 by Helen Webster

Walkers are being urged to report any sightings of hen harriers as part of an initiative aimed at conserving one of Scotland's most charismatic birds being launched today (Mon 22 April). Environment Minister and chairman of the Partnership for Action against Wildlife Crime (PAW Scotland) Paul Wheelhouse is asking bird-watchers, land managers, hill-walkers and all other members of the public to look out for and report sightings of hen harriers. People are being asked to record details of gender, behaviour and place, date and time of sighting. This will help PAW Scotland to build valuable information on these birds, recording…

Posted in Nature, News

First-ever John Muir Day to be celebrated across Scotland

Posted on April 19, 2013 by Helen Webster

Events will take place later this month to celebrate the work of Scots-born conservationist, John Muir, whose pioneering work in the United States created the first national parks. April 21, the 175th anniversary of his birth has been declared John Muir Day in Scotland. To celebrate, there will be activities taking place across the country from wildlife photography workshops in Kilmartin Glen to a treasure hunt in St Cyrus or outdoor theatre in Aberdeenshire. Details of all the Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) events on April 20, 21 and 22 can be found at the SNH website. Ian Jardine, SNH Chief…

Posted in Nature, News

Canister-mounted Stoves

Posted on April 18, 2013 by Phil Turner

Simple, clean, lightweight and efficient, the canister-mounted stove is justifiably popular. Most stoves in this category are simply a burner head with pot supports that screws on to the top of a pressurised canister containing a blend of propane, butane and/or isobutane. Simply open the valve and light. No priming, no smelly fuel and it’ll all fit into your cooking pot for transport. What’s not to like? Well – as the gas is in a liquid state in the canister it can be a struggle to get any gas out of the canister in cold weather, so a liquid fuel…

Posted in Camping, Gear reviews

National Trust wants your old boots

Posted on April 18, 2013 by Helen Webster

The National Trust for Scotland is calling for old hiking boots that are destined to be binned for a bold new billboard to promote its work to care for Scotland's mountains. Ninety pairs of boots are going to be nailed to a huge billboard in Edinburgh in June, alongside a message encouraging commuters to support the Trust’s countryside. Part of the One Wee Step campaign which launched in 2012, the outdoors advert is the latest to highlight the fact that the Trust cares for 76,000 ha of some of the wildest and most spectacular countryside in Scotland, encompassing 46 Munro…

Posted in Nature

Pine marten showing signs of recovery

Posted on April 17, 2013 by Helen Webster

One of Scotland's rarest carnivores is showing encouraging signs of recovery, a new report has highlighted. From Argyll to Aberdeenshire, and Caithness to the central belt, the pine marten is proving that rare mammals can recover their numbers, given the right conditions. It is a real success story for an animal which has vanished from much of England and Wales. A joint survey by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) and The Vincent Wildlife Trust (VWT), to be published later this week, shows the pine marten population has regained ground across much of Scotland. It is now re-colonising areas from which it…

Posted in Nature

Hunt is on to find Scotland's favourite plants

Posted on April 17, 2013 by Helen Webster

The Year of Natural Scotland is well underway and, as part of a year of exciting projects, the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE) has launched the search for Scotland's favourite native plants and trees. The public is being asked to vote for their favourite native species to reveal the nation's most popular plants and trees. RBGE’s scientists and horticultural experts will be revealing their favourite but the RBGE wants to hear from members of the public to build up a real picture of the Scottish plants and trees that we all hold dear. The RBGE said, “So what might the…

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New summer ferry for Kintyre

Posted on April 16, 2013 by Helen Webster

A new ferry service will run this summer between Ardrossan and Campbeltown. The service will sail three times a week with an extra stop at Brodick, on Arran, on Saturdays. Starting on 23 May, the aim is to increase tourism to Kintyre which suffers due to the long road journey required particularly by travellers from the south. CalMac managing director, Martin Dorchester, said the new service was the first new route for the firm in the Argyll area in nearly 20 years. He said, “We are confident it will prove very popular with locals and visitors alike who now have…

Posted in Access issues

Daily avalanche forecasts cease

Posted on April 15, 2013 by Helen Webster

Daily avalanche information reports for the main Scottish hillwalking and climbing areas finished on Sunday 14th April for the 2013 season. From Friday 19 April weekend avalanche reports will be issued for Northern Cairngorms, Southern Cairngorms, Lochaber, Glencoe and Creag Meagaidh. During week days the SportScotland Avalanche Information Service recommends the following advice: “Avalanche hazard considerations should always be part of any winter hill goers daily plans and we would recommend that climbers, walkers and off-piste skiers currently venturing into the hills, continue to note snow and weather conditions in respect of any potential avalanche hazard. Be prepared to modify…

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Have your say on Deer Management in Scottish forests

Posted on April 15, 2013 by Helen Webster

Anyone interested in how deer are managed on Scotland's National Forest Estate (NFE) is being invited to share their views with Forestry Commission Scotland. The Commission manages around 9 per cent of Scotland's land area and is seeking views from the public about how deer should be managed on that land. From today (15 April) the Commission is asking for views on a new document outlining the organisation's proposed approach to managing deer over the next three years 2013-2016. The draft document, “Deer Management on the National Forest Estate – Current Practices and Future Directions” – aims to explain and…

Posted in Access issues, Nature, News