walkhighlands

Job vacancies at the MCofS

The Mountaineering Council of Scotland (MCofS) is currently seeking a new Communications Officer and a Club Development Officer. These are full time, salaried and permanent posts with the national representative organisation for mountaineers, hill walkers, climbers and ski-tourers, which has 11,500 members. The MCofS has issued the following details: “Communications Officer / Magazine Editor (37 hours per week, based Perth) Based in our Perth office, this exciting new position will take responsibility for the coordination and editing of MCofS communications, including our award-winning members’ quarterly magazine Scottish Mountaineer. The post holder will also work with colleagues in the administration team

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Posted in News

Carbisdale Castle YHA to close

Carbisdale Castle Hostel looks set to close for good because of the high cost of repair bills. The hostel, located near Invershin and housed in a spectacular castle containing a fabulous hall of marble statues, has been closed for the last two years but was previously very popular with walking groups, families and even wedding parties wanting to explore Sutherland. Owners, the Scottish Youth Hostels Association (SYHA) said the hostel may not reopen because millions of pounds worth of investment was needed and that there were no plans to open it in the foreseeable future but that the SYHA had

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Posted in News

Police name dead West Highlands walker

Police have named the hillwalker whose body was recovered from Streap on Saturday as James Jack. Mr Jack, known as Jim, was from Airdrie in North Lanarkshire, and was found following a search by Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team and an RAF rescue helicopter in the Glenfinnan area.

Posted in News

Cairngorms National Park celebrates 10th birthday

The Cairngorms National Park celebrates its 10th anniversary yesterday (Friday 22 March) with the official opening of a new visitor facility at Blair Atholl. Visitors to Atholl and the Cairngorms National Park can now get all the information and inspiration they need in the new centre, which involved the refurbishment of the ranger base to also accommodate a visitor information hub and education centre. The site also contains the Atholl Museum of Country Life and a café. Local MSP and Cabinet Secretary John Swinney officially opened the new facility today – and also had the honour of cutting the Cairngorms

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Posted in News

MCofS welcome decision not to appeal wind farm refusal

The Mountaineering Council of Scotland (MCofS) have welcomed the decision by Falck Renewables – developer of the proposed Clach Liath wind farm – not to appeal the decision by Highland Council to refuse planning permission. The windfarm would have been situated on the slopes of Meall na Speireig – a southeastern outlier of Ben Wyvis, on the edge of the National Nature Reserve and in view from much of the Black Isle. Commenting on the news, MCofS Chief Officer David Gibson said: “The news represents a victory for common sense, local democracy and the recognition that Scotland’s wonderful mountain landscapes

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Posted in Nature

Tick Bite Prevention Week 24 to 30 March

Despite the snow and freezing conditions covering much of Scotland, next week sees the annual publicity awareness raising week aimed at preventing tick bites. Encouraging walkers and dog owners to be ‘tick aware’ is the message of this year’s Tick Bite Prevention week which runs from Monday 24 March. “Let’s tackle ticks together by making sure we’re all tick aware”, says Channel 4 ‘Embarrassing Bodies’ science presenter Dr James Logan, who is an expert on ticks. “A tick bite commonly leads to irritation, allergic reaction or localised infection but, in some cases, there can be more serious consequences such as

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Posted in News

Anders Povlsen buys Gaick Estate

Danish businessman and conservationist, Anders Povlsen, has increased his holding of Scottish wild land by purchasing the 20,000 Gaick Estate in the Cairngorms. Mr Povlsen already owns the neighbouring Glenfeshie Estate and has pioneered a number of measures aimed at increasing the bio-diversity of the area, including efforts to re-generate the natural forest and reduce red deer numbers. The Gaick Estate was previously owned by the French designer-goods heir Xavier Louis Vuitton who has also recently sold the nearby Dalchully Estate at Laggan.  Whilst some of his land management ideas have proved controversial, Anders Povlsen has generally been seen as

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Posted in Access issues, Nature

Easter safety message issued by mountain groups

It will soon be Easter, but it’s still full on winter in Scotland’s mountains. Thats the message behind this joint statement from the Mountaineering Council of Scotland (MCofS) and the British Mountaineering Council (BMC). The MCofS and BMC advise that climbers and hill walkers need to be realistic about the seriousness of the Scottish mountains at this popular time of year, and of the need to match knowledge and experience to mountaineering objectives. This Easter warning is being issued because: 1. Easter in Scotland is popular with groups travelling from further afield. 2. Easter is quite early this year 3.

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Posted in Access issues, News

Radio campaign calls on dog walkers to 'pick up'

As spring approaches, dog owners are being encouraged to pick up after their dog when out and about. The latest national radio campaign from Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) begins this week, focussing on the issues surrounding dog waste, as part of ongoing work to publicise access rights and the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. Kirstin Guthrie, SNH Communications Officer said: “Our radio campaign introduces the character ‘Jess’ – a wise border collie – who helps dispel some myths, as well as highlight how not cleaning up after your dog can kill livestock and encourage other people to think badly of you

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Posted in Access issues, Nature

Strathfarrar Summer Access

The summer access arrangements for Strathfarrar will begin on Sunday 31 March. Strathfarrar has a locked gate and only a certain number of cars are allowed into the Glen each day. There are no restrictions on pedestrian access or taking a pushbike beyond the locked gate and wild camping is allowed within the terms of the Scottish Access Code but you cannot park overnight in the Glen. There will be no vehicular access on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings. The Mountaineering Council of Scotland (MCofS) negotiates access along the private road with the landowner on behalf of walkers and climbers and

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Posted in Access issues, News


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You should always carry a backup means of navigation and not rely on a single phone, app or map. Walking can be dangerous and is done entirely at your own risk. Information is provided free of charge; it is every walker's responsibility to check it and to navigate safely.