North Harris 5 Peaks Challenge

Posted on September 16, 2011 by Helen Webster

With a week to go until the start of the inaugural Harris Mountain Festival, the North Harris Trust is today throwing down the gauntlet to keen hillwalkers everywhere – come to Harris and see if you are fit enough to complete our spectacular 5 Peaks Challenge. Taking in five of the most prominent and spectacular peaks on the island, the Challenge is part of a campaign by the Trust to promote the area’s unrivalled hillwalking attractions. Long famed for its beautiful beaches and intricate, rocky coastline, Harris has some of the finest but least visited mountains in Britain. Wild, remote…

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Boardman Tasker shortlist announced

Posted on September 14, 2011 by Helen Webster

A diverse collection of five books has made in onto the shortlist for this year’s Boardman Tasker award, with previous winner, Joe Simpson nominated again. The three judges for the coveted award said there had been were 24 entries which were generally of a very good quality and came from the UK, Ireland, USA, Canada and South Africa. The range of subject matter included biography, fiction, much historical material (Everest and K2 continue to fascinate writers), travel accounts and spiritual journeys. The judges for 2011, Barry Imeson (Chair), Bernard Newman and Lindsay Griffin, announced the following shortlist with their summary…

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Walkers crucial to investigation of birds of prey poisonings

Posted on September 14, 2011 by Helen Webster

Four golden eagles, the most recorded in a single year, were amongst 29 birds illegally poisoned last year, according to the latest annual report by RSPB Scotland. The report, “The illegal killing of birds of prey in Scotland in 2010”, indicates that persecution remains at high levels and continues to pose a serious risk to the long-term populations of some of Scotland’s most vulnerable birds of prey. The report also highlights the importance of dead birds found by walkers in remote areas although it is acknowledged that many suspicious bird deaths are likely to never be known about or investigated.…

Posted in Nature

Abandoned gear sparks West Highland Way search

Posted on September 13, 2011 by Helen Webster

Police and mountain rescuers have been scouring a section of the West Highland Way after an abandoned tent and rucksack were found. The gear was left on the West Highland Way, near to the A81 and the Glengoyne Distillery, and Police are now appealing to walkers in the area for help. Central Scotland Police say that the outdoor gear includes a green coloured tent and dark blue rucksack. The Police say that the property appears to have been left sometime between 11am and 3:30pm on Sunday September 11. Police are keen to speak with anyone who was in the area…

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Beach volunteers needed for St Cyrus

Posted on September 13, 2011 by Helen Webster

Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) is asking for help from the public to help keep the beach at St Cyrus national nature reserve litter-free and safe for wildlife. Every year thousands of birds, seals, dolphins and marine mammals die by swallowing or becoming entangled in rubbish. The St Cyrus Beach Clean takes place from 11am to 2.30pm on Sunday September 18th at St Cyrus. The Beach Clean is part of the Marine Conservation Society Beachwatch, a national initiative now in its 18th year, with thousands of volunteers taking part every year. Therese Alampo, St Cyrus reserve manager, said: “Hundreds of birds…

Posted in Nature

Free fungi walks at Loch Leven

Posted on September 13, 2011 by Helen Webster

Two free walks to learn more about fungi will take place at Loch Leven over the next month. Autumn is a terrific time of year for fungi spotting. In previous years, participants have spotted over 60 different species on Loch Leven’s fungi forays. SNH staff will be joined by local expert Richard Smith from Lochore Meadows Country Park on the hunt for fungi. Participants will see many different types of fungi, learn which ones are dangerous, and find out how humans have used fungi throughout history as medicines, hallucinogens and in cooking. Fungi are also essential recyclers of the woodland,…

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Doug Scott Lecture dates announced

Posted on September 11, 2011 by Helen Webster

Mountaineer Doug Scott will again be setting out on a lecture tour this autumn and winter, raising money for his charity, Community Action Nepal. Doug’s lectures are famous for his personal and thought provoking commentary, illustrated with his stunning photography of the world’s most spectacular mountain landscapes. The lectures are usually accompanied by an auction of signed photographs and other items and there are usually posters and cards for sale. All profits from the lecture tour go to charity. The Scottish dates are as follows – for further details and dates for England and Wales see the website. Thurs 15…

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Walkhighlands welcomes new Gear Editor

Posted on September 9, 2011 by Helen Webster

Walkhighlands is delighted to welcome Phil Turner as its Gear Editor. Phil is an outdoor enthusiast and writer and has already written a great many routes for Walkhighlands; he’s also an expert on lightweight backpacking and camping with a seemingly unquenchable thirst for trying new outdoors gear. Phil spends as much time as possible walking in Scotland and will be rigorously testing a wide range of gear to provide up to the minute comparison reviews on Walkhighlands over the coming months. Phil is also author of numerous magazine articles as well as his popular blog Lightweight Outdoors, and is currently working…

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JMT provides small facelifts for two mountains

Posted on September 9, 2011 by Helen Webster

The new path on Schiehallion is now nine years old and due to the popularity of the mountain is requiring more intensive repairs than the regular maintentance it has received recently. Therefore volunteers working for conservation charity and owner of Schiehallion undertook a day’s work on the path in August before contractors, Upland Access, spent a week carrying out larger-scale repairs to sections of the path. The volunteers also climbed to the summit, removing a number of small cairns on the way. Meanwhile more volunteers were carrying out a summit litter clean on Ben Nevis. Sarah Lewis the JMT conservation…

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Luss to Balmaha Water Bus extended

Posted on September 8, 2011 by Helen Webster

Cruise Loch Lomond has announced that the Loch Lomond Water Bus service from Luss to Balmaha will now run until the end of October instead of stopping at the end of September. Stuart Cordner from Cruise Loch Lomond said: “We have been delighted with the popularity of the successful new Luss to Balmaha cruises operating in their first full season. The Luss and Balmaha Explorers, The Capercaillie and The Wee Gem cruises have been popular with both day trippers and holidaymakers. Many visitors have taken advantage of this route which allows access to either shore of the Loch and enables…

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