walkhighlands

Busy weekend for Cairngorm Mountain Rescue

Two call-outs for the Cairngorm Mountain Rescue Team yesterday (Sunday 9 December) ended successfully when walkers were rescued in separate incidents. A woman in her 60s, walking in a group in the Glen Feshie area was taken to Raigmore hospital Inverness where she has been treated for a suspected broken leg. The second incident involved an extensive search by the Cairngorms MRT to locate a male walker who had become lost while walking alone. He was eventually located by an RAF rescue helicopter and taken to safety. The Police are not releasing any further details of the parties involved at

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Posted in News

Strathfarrar Xmas access arrangements

Anyone planning to take a vehicle into Glen Strathfarrar between 21 December and 3 January needs to phone the MCofS to get the combination code for the gate. The usual winter access arrangements for the glen apply from 1 November to 25 March when the gatekeeper is not on duty and it is necessary to arrange access with the MCofS. However the MCofS office will be closed over the Christmas and New Year period so anyone wanting to gain access (unless on foot or bike) needs to phone before 21 December. The number to call is 01738 493 942, you

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Posted in Access issues, News

Torridon SYHA open this winter, Walkhighlands discount

Torridon SYHA will be staying open this winter for Friday and Saturday night stays (and Christmas period 21st to 28th December) and is also offering a very generous 30% discount to Walkhighlands’ users. The offer is valid until 14 March 2013 – just enter the code TORRW12 when you book online at the SYHA site. Situated at the head of Upper Loch Torridon in the shadow of the mighty Liathach, and only a stone’s throw from Upper Loch Torridon, Torridon Youth Hostel is a great option for walkers and climbers as well as those simply wishing to relax and enjoy

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Posted in News

Avalanche forecasts start this weekend

Recent heavy snowfall means the Sportscotland Avalanche Information Service (SAIS) will start issuing forecasts next weekend for the Northern Cairngorms and Lochaber areas. Reports for these two regions will be issued on 7th, 8th, and 9th of December, with daily reports for the five main hillwalking and climbing areas of Scotland starting on Thursday 13 December. Climbers and walkers should take particular care at the moment as heavy snowfall and current weather conditions have created serious avalanche risks on some slopes. Further information about avalanches and assessing the risk from the MCofS can be found here on Walkhighlands. The SAIS

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Posted in News

Trees for Life founder awarded top prize

Alan Watson Featherstone, founder and executive director of conservation charity Trees for Life, has won The Environment category of the prestigious Glenfiddich Spirit of Scotland Awards 2012. “As the winners of these awards are decided by public vote in the UK, this is inspiring, national recognition of Trees for Life’s restoration of the Caledonian Forest. I’m very grateful to everyone who voted – it’s an honour that shows how deeply people care about conserving Scotland’s world-class wild landscapes, and about protecting our stunning biodiversity and wildlife,”said Alan Watson Featherstone. The charity has now planted more than one million trees at

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Posted in Nature

Aviemore and Glencoe winter safety dates

With ice and snow providing wintry conditions on Scotland’s mountains the MCofS has announced the dates for the 2013 Aviemore and Glencoe winter safety lectures. These will be held at the Mountain Cafe in Aviemore on 6 February and at the Clachaig Inn in Glencoe on 12 February. This season’s speaker will be Heather Morning, Mountain Safety Advisor for the MCofS. Heather has over 30 years experience mountaineering, climbing and skiing in the Scottish Hills. She has also been actively involved with mountain rescue in the Cairngorms for the last 10 years and will be accompanied by the ‘four legged

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Posted in News

Walkhighlands pledges £1000 to walking causes in 2013

Walkhighlands is to increase its charitable donations and gifts next year, with a pledge to donate £1,000 to conservation and walking-related causes in 2013. The causes supported will include bodies which carry out conservation work, campaign on landscape issues, and mountain safety. “Whilst the primary aim of Walkhighlands is to provide the best possible free-to-use source of information for people interested in walking in Scotland, ” commented co-founder Helen Webster, “we’re delighted to be able to increase our support for bodies which are carrying out a range of worthwhile work in 2013.”

Posted in Access issues, Nature, Walkhighlands news

Motorists urged to report deer collisions

As the number of road accidents involving deer peak during the winter months, motorists in Scotland are being urged to report deer collisions. The DeerAware campaign undertakes research into such accidents and has also compiled the following tips to help motorists avoid a collision. Do take note of deer warning signs Such signs are positioned only where animal crossings are very likely – They could happen anywhere Drive with caution During danger periods or on roads where hitting a deer is a possibility, drive with caution at or below the posted speed limit. Beware during peak danger periods Peaks in

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Posted in Uncategorized

Reward offered for lost shark tag

A reward is being offered to whoever finds a lost basking shark tag which is likely to wash up in the Neist Point area of Glendale, on the Isle of Skye. The tag is the shape of a small fizzy drinks bottle and made of rubber. It is black in colour and 15cm long. It may have an antennae attached midway. The tag is likely to be washed up on the shore close to Neist Point. The tag is part of a basking shark tracking project being co-ordinated by Scottish Natural Heritage and it contains valuable data. There is a

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Posted in Nature, News

Mountaineers say Glenmorie case opens door to industrial-scale wind farms

The body representing hillwalkers and climbers in Scotland says Highland Council's lack of objection to a wind farm near Ben Wyvis sends the message that the Highlands are open house for massive industrial-scale wind farms. The Mountaineering Council of Scotland (MCofS) says that despite over 300 objections to the Glenmorie Wind Farm (209 to the Scottish Government and 132 to The Highland Council), the next Highland Council North Planning Committee on 27 November looks set to agree to ‘raise no objection’ to the inappropriately sited Glenmorie Wind Farm. The proposal would see 31 turbines at 125m in height erected on

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Posted in Nature


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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.