Xmas offer from the MCofS

Posted on October 16, 2012 by Helen Webster

The Mountaineering Council of Scotland (MCofS) has reminded us that some people have already started their Christmas shopping. Even if you're not that organized, the MCofS is again offering its discounted Gift of Membership and it seems like a great deal all round. As well as buying a year’s membership of the MCofS at a special offer price, you get to choose a free gift for the recipient, and the MCofS send you a copy of the November issue of Scottish Mountaineer magazine and a Gift of Membership card. So, you will have a bundle of goodies to hand over…

Posted in Access issues, Nature, News

Glengarry car park and trails closed

Posted on October 13, 2012 by Helen Webster

Forestry Commission Scotland has had to close off the bridge leading into the Glengarry woodland until next Tuesday (16th Oct) due to essential repair work. This affects the Allt na Calliche Trail and the Gleann Laogh Trail which are currently closed along with the car park. Last Thursday evening, a small side section of the embankment beside the bridge collapsed into the river and now civil engineering specialists are carrying out work to fix it. Kevin Peace, Forestry Commission Scotland’s District Manager in Lochaber said: “In these circumstances we always put public safety before anything else, so whilst the work…

Posted in Access issues, News

Glenelg to link with Mars namesake

Posted on October 11, 2012 by Helen Webster

The remote community of Glenelg is planning an amibitious day of space-themed events to mark the arrival of the Curiosity Rover at Glenelg on Mars. Special guest speakers include the Director of NASA’s Mars Space Exploration Programme, a female astronaut with five space flights under her belt, and Scotland’s Astronomer Royal. Also included in the days activities is a Geo-cache navigation game, the chance to try out your bushcraft and natural navigation skills, panetarium shows in the village hall, the opportunity to drive the Mars Rover over simulated Martian landscape and of course star gazing in the evening. The event…

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Shot eagle found on Southern Upland Way

Posted on October 9, 2012 by Helen Webster

The Scottish SPCA is appealing for information after a golden eagle was found close to death having been shot. The bird was found next to the Southern Upland Way by a member of the public on Saturday (6 October). The golden eagle is now receiving veterinary treatment and specialist care at the National Wildlife Rescue Centre. Chief Superintendent Mike Flynn said, “This eagle has been caused tremendous pain and suffering. “It became grounded after being shot, which caused the feathers on its tail and wings to break and meant it was unable to search for food. “If the eagle hadn’t…

Posted in Nature

Walkhighlands members take top awards

Posted on October 8, 2012 by Helen Webster

Three advertising members of Walkhighlands have picked up prestigious gongs at the annual Highlands and Islands Tourism Awards. The Glenview – based on the Trotternish peninsula on the Isle of Skye – has built a strong reputation for delicious locally-sourced food and friendly service. The Restaurant with Rooms won the award for Best Restaurant / Cafe in the Highlands and Islands. The prize for Best Visitor Attraction went to Speyside-based Craggan Outdoors, which offers one of the widest range of outdoor activities in the Highlands and has been Tripadvisor’s top rated outdoor centre in Scotland since 2009. Finally Morag’s Lodge…

Posted in Walkhighlands news

Hillwalkers' views wanted in Deer Stalking survey

Posted on October 5, 2012 by Helen Webster

Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) has launched a survey to ask hillwalkers how they find out about deer stalking before heading for the hills and how useful the online information about stalking is. The results will be used to improve the information provided in future years. Whether or not you have used the stalking information, if you have been hillwalking since the start of July, please fill in the survey here. The stag stalking season (1st July to 20th October) is a popular time of year for walkers, so three years ago SNH set up the Heading for the Scottish Hills…

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JMT calls on MSPs to protect wild land before it disappears

Posted on October 2, 2012 by Helen Webster

A new report commissioned jointly by Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park, the Cairngorms National Park and Scottish Natural Heritage reveals widespread public appreciation of wild land in Scotland, and deep concern that it may be under threat. The report, Public Perception Survey of Wildness in Scotland, measures how much people: Use the outdoors, perceive the idea of wildness, and value wild areas. The results show that: 81 per cent visit the outdoors at least every few months 72 per cent consider it ‘very important’ that Scotland has wild areas 60 per cent feel that wild areas in Scotland…

Posted in Nature

EMFF celebrates 10 years of armchair adventures

Posted on October 1, 2012 by Helen Webster

The 10th annual Edinburgh Mountain Film Festival ventures back into the capital from 26 to 28 October 2012. From its humble beginnings in 2003, the festival has grown to be one of the most popular and dynamic events in Scotland's outdoor adventure calendar and will attract in excess of 3,000 outdoor enthusiasts over the weekend in 2012. The three-day festival is staged at George Square Lecture Theatre in Edinburgh. Tickets for the popular festival are on sale now at the festival website. This year the festival organisers say they are promising, “A weekend packed full of inspiration and entertainment, with…

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Chris Bonington tour dates released

Posted on September 29, 2012 by Helen Webster

Chris Bonington will be talking about his 60 year mountaineering career in Inverness on 4th November as part of a six date British tour. Chris Britain's best known mountaineer and one of the most successful expedition leaders in history. He started climbing at the age of 16 and has been on 19 Himalayan expeditions, including 4 to Everest. He is renowned for having made many first ascents in the Alps and all the greater ranges of the world. This autumn Chris will be appearing at just six venues presenting a brand new ‘life and times’ talk, covering his sixty years…

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Walkers warned not to disturb seal pups

Posted on September 28, 2012 by Helen Webster

Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) is people out walking to keep their distance from grey seal pups. The pups are common at this time of year in parts of Scotland and contact with humans can cause the youngsters' mothers to abandon them. Grey seal pups are born from the end of this month (September) until mid-December. The main concentrations are in Orkney, south-east Scotland and the Inner and Outer Hebrides with smaller colonies in Shetland, and along the north and north-east coasts of Scotland in particular. The young can’t immediately venture into the sea after birth, but stay on the foreshore…

Posted in Nature, News