Nevis Gorge footpath appeal launched

Posted on July 18, 2012 by Helen Webster

The John Muir Trust, which earlier this year won funding to restore the classic Steall Gorge footpath in Glen Nevi, has launched a public appeal to complete funding for the vital repair work, with a further £60,000 still needed to be raised. The magical trail winds through native woodland, high above the fast-flowing water of Nevis and opens out onto Steal Meadow, with beautiful views of An Steall Ban (‘the white spout’), Britain’s second highest waterfall. It was here that Harry Potter fought a dragon in a memorable scene in the film Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Chris…

Posted in Access issues, Nature, Uncategorized

Glamaig Hill race record smashed

Posted on July 16, 2012 by Helen Webster

The 25th Glamaig Hill Race took place on Saturday and saw Finlay Wild win by more than 6 minutes, smashing the long-standing record which had been held by Mark Rigby since 1997. Brian Marshall – winner of the race for the last 9 years – this time had to settle for second. The race route – which crosses a bog before heading up and down an extremely steep and punishing scree-slope – is held each year on the Isle of Skye. The original record for the run was set more than 100 years ago when a Ghurka named Thapa, one…

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Unwelcome visitor to Forvie sands

Posted on July 14, 2012 by Helen Webster

A Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) staff member has discovered a highly invasive plant, originally from New Zealand, on the sand dunes near the Forvie national nature reserve. Operations officer Mike Smedley discovered several patches of piri piri burr growing near a path a few hundred metres from the internationally important nature reserve. As the name suggests, the seed heads form burrs, a compact ball of seeds, each with its own hook ready to attach to the socks, fur or wool of passing people or animals. Often unnoticed, the seed later drops out and so the plant spreads. Like many non-native…

Posted in Nature

Scientists to track Scottish sharks

Posted on July 13, 2012 by Helen Webster

An exciting project which scientists hope will reveal the secret life of large sharks visiting Scottish waters will begin in Hebridean seas today (Friday 13 July). Marine biologists from Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) and the University of Exeter will attach satellite tracking tags to 20 basking sharks in the seas around the Inner Hebrides, off the west coast of Scotland. Once fitted, the tags will allow people to track the movements of the sharks on the SNH website in close-to-real time. The tags will provide information on the location and behaviour of the sharks during the summer when they can…

Posted in Nature

Fun day planned for St Cyrus reserve

Posted on July 12, 2012 by Helen Webster

All kinds of free entertainment is in store this Sunday (15 July) at St Cyrus national nature reserve. The reserve's family fun day includes face-painters, a storyteller and puppets, games, bird-box making and guided wildlife walks. Willow Lohr of Woodsmoke Bushcraft & Wilderness Survival will be on hand to teach kids how to make fishing nets and talk about the natural uses of plants on the reserve There will also be visits from the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society, with their life-size inflatable whales and dolphins, and the North East Scotland Biological Recording Campaign, giving tips on how and why…

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Call for coastal protection as Trump golf course opens

Posted on July 11, 2012 by Helen Webster

With the official opening of Donald Trump's new golf course on his Menie Estate near Aberdeen, there has been a call from Ramblers Scotland for better protection for Scotland's coastline. Ramblers Scotland Director, Dave Morris, said, “This golf course should never have been built. The supposed economic benefits should not have been allowed to override the need to protect the natural landscapes and wildlife of the coastal sand dunes. The whole value of these dunes was based on their mobility, large areas of open sand shifting with the changing wind, creating a dynamic mosaic with the different vegetation patterns. Driving…

Posted in Nature, News

Trekking Poles

Posted on July 9, 2012 by Phil Turner

Trekking or walking poles have become ubiquitous in the British hills, deployed either singly or in pairs in the Nordic Walking style. I’m a confirmed double-pole user – coping with the cries of “Oi, where are your skis?” when walking through busy areas – and it appears that many other hillwalkers have discovered the benefits. The primary purpose of a pair of poles is to enable your arms to assist in propelling you upwards and along, as well as taking a load off your knees through use as a brake when descending. On flat terrain the benefits are less obvious –…

Posted in Accessories, Gear reviews

RAF Mountain Rescue Team to move to Lossiemouth base

Posted on July 8, 2012 by Helen Webster

The RAF Kinloss Mountain Rescue Team will move to the neighbouring air base at Lossiemouth when the Army takes over RAF Kinloss later this month. The Mountain Rescue Team, which is regularly involved in helicopter rescues across the Highlands, is likely to change its name although the way it operates will remain much the same for the time being. By 2016 civilian contractors are due to take over search and rescue operations across the UK. RAF Kinloss is due to close as an air base on 26 July with the army due to use it as a barracks. The air…

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Mull road closed after landslides

Posted on July 8, 2012 by Helen Webster

A road on Mull will be closed for the “forseeable future” according to Argyll and Bute council, after heavy rain caused a landslide and damage to three bridges near Knock on the B8035. 11 hillwalkers and 5 cars were stranded following the landslide on Thursday night, before being rescued by boat. Council leader Roddy McCuish thanked those involved in the rescue, and said that road engineers will assess the damage and look at both short and long term measures to restore the road. The route is the usual shortest access used by hillwalkers heading for Ben More, the only Munro…

Posted in Access issues, News

Kirk Yetholm youth hostel to stay open

Posted on July 5, 2012 by Helen Webster

One of the youth hostels in the Scottish Borders threatened with closure has been saved and will be run by a charity with experience in hostel management. Kirk Yetholm hostel which sits on the St Cuthbert’s Way and at the end of the Pennine Way had been earmarked for closure by the Scottish Youth Hostels Association (SYHA) alongside hostels in Melrose and Selkirk. The local community had expressed fears about loss of tourism and visitors to the area when the closure plans were announced. Responding to the news that one of the three endangered hostels would remain open, Borders MP…

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