Forestry Commission Scotland is set to invest £4.5 million into boosting forest and woodland recreation in Galloway Forest Park. The plan is part of a wider tourism strategy to modernise the visitor experience and double visitor spending in the local economy by 2015. The funding will develop a new visitor complex at Kirroughtree, complete a major refit at Clatteringshaws and fund an upgrade at Glentrool visitor centre. The Forest Park has recently had £300,000 spent on walking trails and other developments after being awarded Dark Sky Park status. Stewart Stevenson, Minister for Climate Change and the Environment said: “The investment…

The 2012 Fort William Mountain Festival kicks off tomorrow (Wedsnesday 15 February) and is offering a great line up during the five-day celebration of mountain culture which runs until Sunday 19 February. From armchair adventurers to weekend warriors, to the international mountain community, the audience coming to Fort William for the 2012 festival can expect to be inspired, energized and entertained by a superb line-up of lectures from top climbers and mountaineers, mountain bikers, and mountain filmmakers; and film screenings from cutting edge outdoor athletes and adventurers. The organisers have put together this summary of the highlights of the Festival:…

The Scottish Award for Excellence in Mountain Culture 2012 Goes to Dr Adam Watson Organisers of The Fort William Mountain Festival have announced that Dr Adam Watson, biologist, ecologist, mountaineer, author and defender of the environment, is the fifth recipient of the Scottish Award for Excellence in Mountain Culture. This prestigious annual award recognizes and celebrates the achievements and accomplishments of one inspiring individual and their outstanding contributions to Scotland’s mountains, encompassing sport, theatre, art, photography, film and literature. It was set up in 2008 by the Highland Mountain Culture Association Ltd, organisers of the Fort William Mountain Festival, and…