East Loch Lomond camping ban passed

Posted on March 10, 2011 by Helen Webster

New laws to ban informal camping along a section of the East Loch Lomond shore will come into effect on 1 June 2011 following approval from Environment Minister, Roseanna Cunningham. Under the seasonal camping byelaws, it will be an offence to camp overnight on the east side of the Loch in an area covering 9 miles between Drymen and Rowardennan, from 1 March to the end of October every year outside designated camping sites. Camping restrictions are just one of a number of solutions being introduced by Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park and partners to improve the quality…

Posted in Access issues, Nature, News

Scots Seven Summitter to give JMT lecture

Posted on March 10, 2011 by Helen Webster

The first Scotswoman to complete the Seven Summits will give the Spirit of Wild Places lecture at the John Muir Trust’s Annual General Meeting and Members’ Gathering on 4 June at the Rheged Centre, Penrith. In 2004 Vicky Jack conquered the highest mountains on each continent, becoming the oldest British woman to scale Everest in the process. John Hutchison, chairman of the John Muir Trust, the UK’s leading wild land charity, said: “We are delighted to have such an inspiring speaker at our AGM. “In many ways Vicky is an ordinary hill-walker who has pushed herself to extraordinary heights, which…

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First BASE jump from Sron Ulladale

Posted on March 9, 2011 by Helen Webster

Earlier this month, skydiver and BASE jumper, Simon Brentford completed the first ever BASE jump from Sron Ulladale on Harris in the Outer Hebrides. The massive overhanging crag was climbed on live TV by Dave Macleod and Tim Emmett for the BBC’s “The Great Climb” and the programme provided the inspiration for Simon, who had previously never ventured north of Stirling, to tackle the BASE jump. The jump was filmed by Adam Bibby and can be seen here.

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Beauly Denny pylon dispute continues

Posted on March 9, 2011 by Helen Webster

Scottish Energy Minister, Jim Mather, who is also in charge of Tourism, has asked Scottish Power to consider previously unexplored options to limit the visual impact of the controversial planned Beauly to Denny power line in the area around Stirling. The Minister has given the Company, which has previously said it had ruled out burying the line around Sirling because of the cost, until June to come back with options. This latest episode in the long-running saga means that final approval of the scheme will now take place after the Scottish elections in May. The Scottish Government had approved the…

Posted in Nature, News

Scottish nature on the up

Posted on March 9, 2011 by Helen Webster

Woodland, freshwater, coast and urban green areas have improved in Scotland in the last decade, according to a Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) study published today. Scotland is the first country in the world to publish a detailed account of changes in natural capital, based on evaluating ecosystems. SNH’s pilot Natural Capital Asset index is the first of its kind to take the idea of economic capital and apply it to the environment in this way. Ecosystems, such as woodlands, rivers or moorlands, provide us with numerous services, including fresh water for drinking, wild salmon and venison, carbon storage, pollination of…

Posted in Nature

Injured climber rescued on Ben Nevis

Posted on March 8, 2011 by Helen Webster

This weekend saw a joint rescue operation to help a climber with a broken ankle following a fall in Point Five gully on Ben Nevis. Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team and a Royal Navy helicopter crew went to the aid of the climber on Saturday afternoon. The man had fallen in a narrow part of the gully and there was not enough space for the helicopter winchman to recover the injured man. It is thought his crampons snagged during the fall causing him to break one ankle and seriously hurt the other Later in the day members of the Rescue Team…

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Cairngorms shelter to be rebuilt

Posted on March 7, 2011 by Helen Webster

The Fords of Avon refuge for walkers and mountaineers in a remote part of the Cairngorms National Park is to be re-built by volunteers from the Mountain Bothy Association after permission was granted by the Cairngorms National Park Authority last Friday. The meeting on 4 March 2011, heard how the existing stone-clad, timber hut in Glen Avon has provided emergency shelter for walkers since it was built by a military unit in 1970 and in that time has saved many lives. CNPA Board Member and Moray Councillor, Allan Wright, said: “The shelter lies on the historic Lairig and Laoigh walking…

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Free green days out for Inverness and Moray residents

Posted on March 6, 2011 by Helen Webster

Conservation charity Trees for Life is offering people in Moray and Inverness-shire the chance to help restore the Caledonian Forest, learn new skills and enjoy time in the wild Highlands through a new scheme of volunteer day trips called Green Days Out. The charity is running 47 free Green Days Out this year, allowing volunteers to take part in practical conservation and forest restoration work in several glens to the west of Inverness. Locations include Glen Affric, home to one of the largest and least disturbed remnants of the Caledonian Forest, and Glen Moriston, where Trees for Life’s Dundreggan Estate…

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Cateran Trail now on Walkhighlands

Posted on March 6, 2011 by Helen Webster

The latest route added to Walkhighlands is a superb circular long distance route that straddles the border between Perthshire and Angus. The Cateran Trail explores this neglected corner, taking in secluded Strathardle together with parts of Glen Shee and Glen Isla. Taking its name from the marauding bands of cattle thieves known as Caterans which brought terror and bloodshed to these glens in times past, the battle sites are now peaceful spots. With plenty of pubs and settlements at decent intervals, a high moorland pass with great mountain views, and good wildlife spotting opportunities, it’s a great walk for most…

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Winter talk series aiming for 1000

Posted on March 5, 2011 by Helen Webster

As the Mountaineering Council of Scotland’s (MCofS) winter safety talk series enters its last week, the organisers are hoping to be able to award a prize to the 1000th person attending. The evening events, which have been running since January in Aviemore, Glencoe, and at various Tiso stores, have proved very popular and the MCofS is hoping the target of 1000 attendees will be reached this week. On Tuesday (8 Mar) evening Tom Gilchrist will be speaking at the Clachaig in Glencoe, followed on Wednesday by David “Heavy” Whalley at the Mountain Cafe in Aviemore, & finally on Thursday its…

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