Canal walk across Scotland

Posted on June 5, 2011 by Helen Webster

Fancy crossing Scotland’s central belt on foot without having to get entangled in motorways, housing complexes, shopping malls or industrial estates? Following the towpaths of the Forth and Clyde Canal and the Union Canal provides a fantastic green and watery corridor across Scotland passing the impressive Falkirk Wheel, remains of the Antonine Wall built by the Romans, and clues to Scotland’s industrial heritage as well as numerous nature reserves and surprisingly quiet countryside. Walkhighlands now hosts the only online in-depth description of this route which is soon to be promoted as one of 20 long distance walks to be known…

Posted in News, Walkhighlands news

Invergarry footbridge gets makeover

Posted on June 4, 2011 by Helen Webster

The historic Invergarry footbridge over the River Garry, cited as an important early example from the “pioneering” days of steel in construction, has been saved from collapse by Forestry Commission Scotland. The elegant, B-listed bridge spans 60m over the dramatic River Garry and has been a feature in the landscape ever since it was constructed in 1892. However, the worst ravages of the Scottish weather had taken its toll and some of the steel trusses were badly corroded and the bridge had been shut for over two years. Kenneth Knott, the Environment Forester for Lochaber Forest District, said: “The bridge…

Posted in Access issues, News

Police name Ben Nevis walker

Posted on June 4, 2011 by Helen Webster

Police have confirmed the details of a man who died whilst walking with a friend on Ben Nevis on Sunday 29 May 2011 above the Half Way Lochan. Arnaud Alexandre Romain Albagnac was 22 years old and came from Aveyron in France. A report has been submitted to the Procurator Fiscal which is usual in these circumstances.

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Big Spring Clean returns to the mountains

Posted on June 3, 2011 by Helen Webster

The Ski Club of Great Britain’s annual resort clear up, the Big Spring Clean, returns to Scottish ski resorts for a fourth year on Sunday 12 June. This year volunteers will not only be tackling the damaging litter left on the slopes by mountains users at CairnGorm Mountain and the Nevis Range but also, new for 2011, at Glenshee. Last year 122 helpers turned out to gather up litter at CairnGorm and the Nevis Range with a total of 60 bags of rubbish collected. The Ski Club works with the resorts to ensure volunteers cover areas most frequented by winter…

Posted in Nature

National Park's windfarm objection

Posted on June 2, 2011 by Helen Webster

The Cairngorms National Park Authority has objected to the proposed Allt Duine windfarm in the eastern Monadhliath mountains near Kingussie and Kincraig. The National Park’s planning committee decided unanimously to object to the plan for 31 turbines by RWE_N Power Renewables. The site is on land owned by the Alvie, Dalraddy and Dunachton estates and follows the boundary of the national park. Although the turbines would be outwith the National Park, with the nearest turbine about 5km from Kincraig, service roads, tracks and cabling would have to be built in the National Park. Officials from the Cairngorms National Park said…

Posted in Access issues, Nature

Seabird safari to the Isle of May

Posted on June 1, 2011 by Helen Webster

The Isle of May National Nature Reserve is currently teeming with seabirds so, to celebrate, Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) is hosting a seabird safari and all are invited. The privately operated boat services have been subsidised for children by SNH for this special day, while entry to the island is free. The trip, on Sunday 19 June, will involve seeing the spectacular seabird colonies on the island and learning more about the lives of the birds. Puffins can be seen close up on the island and the huge cliffs hold guillemots, kittiwakes, razorbills, fulmars and shags, which can be seen…

Posted in Nature

Warning issued to climbers after Skye rockfall

Posted on June 1, 2011 by Helen Webster

Following the fatal accident in the Skye Cuillin yesterday (Tues 31 May) Skye Mountain Rescue Team has issued the following warning to climbers: “There has been a significant rockfall from the third pitch of Cioch Direct, Sron na Ciche. Any climbers intending to attempt the route in the near future should be aware that there will be considerable rockfall danger from the remaining debris.” The accident, which claimed the life of a female climber, and injured three others, was caused when a large boulder was dislodged triggering a major rockfall. No details of the deceased or the casualties have not…

Posted in News

Climber dies and three hurt in Cuillin accident

Posted on June 1, 2011 by Helen Webster

A woman has died following a climbing accident in the Cuillin on the Isle of Skye yesterday (Tuesday 31 May 2011). It is understood that the woman was attempting the Cioch Direct route in the Cuillin when her climbing partner dislodged a large rock which hit her causing fatal head injuries. Her climbing partner was also injured as he fell with the falling boulder. A separate climbing pair were also injured when they were fit by the boulder and another party of three narrowly missed the rock as they were able to jump out of it’s path. One of the…

Posted in News

TV's sea eagle Itchy found on west coast

Posted on May 31, 2011 by Helen Webster

Following an appeal by RSPB Scotland, one of the sea eagle’s made famous by an early series of Springwatch as been found living and breeding on the west coast of Scotland. Itchy featured as a chick alongside brother Scratchy, in the BBC Two programme filmed in 2005 on the Isle of Mull. Both birds were tagged and they fledged successfully in July 2005. Since then there have only been occasional sightings including one on the north end of Skye in 2007. However since the appeal, Itchy, has been found breeding with an untagged adult female in an undisclosed west coast…

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Highlands set to benefit from staycation trend

Posted on May 31, 2011 by Helen Webster

The Scottish Highlands is set to benefit from the continuing trend for Brits to holiday in the UK. Early good weather around Easter, combined with the additional bank holiday, meant that the tourist season in the Highlands got off to a good start. Bookings slowed since, but the fact that the Highlands has just come top of a survey of UK staycation destinations, has given tourism businesses a reason for optimism. The survey, carried out by Travelodge, had the Highlands as the number one destination for British people planning to holiday in the UK, London was second, followed by Edinburgh,…

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