Watch hill tracks debate live today

Posted on June 9, 2010 by Helen Webster

The Scottish Government will today (Thurs June 9th) debate whether new hill tracks and electrified deer fences should require planning permission. The debate at Holyrood will take place just after 5pm today and you can watch a live feed at this link. The debate was secured by Labour MSP Peter Peacock following concerns raised by the Mountaineering Council of Scotland and Ramblers Scotland about the number of bulldozed hill tracks appearing in the Scottish uplands, particularly in the Highlands. The MSP for Highlands and Islands said the tracks could be constructed without planning consent when justified as being for agricultural,…

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Mountain Conversations on BBC Radio Scotland

Posted on June 8, 2010 by Helen Webster

BBC Radio Scotland is devoting this week’s Conversation Zone to the subject of mountains. Over five and half hours of broadcasting, the marathon radio session will see contributions from Stephen Venables, Chris Bonnington, Joe Simpson, Mark Beaument and Jamie Andrew. There will also be a special feature on mountain rescue dogs, and programmes about Dave Whalley’s 37 years involvement with mountain rescue and Geoff Monk on mountain weather. The programmes start at midnight on Thursday 10 June, but for non-night owls it is also available on the BBC I Player. For more information and a running order see the website.

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New visitor facilities planned for Ben Lawers

Posted on June 8, 2010 by Helen Webster

Following the closure of the Ben Lawers Visitor Centre last year, the National Trust for Scotland has announced plans for new facilities together with the relocation of the car park at the site. Plans for the removal of the existing Mountain Visitor Centre have already been lodged with Perth and Kinross Council. The existing building was built on lower slopes of National Nature Reserve in the early 1970s to interpret the important features of the site and encourage thousands of visitors during the summer to minimise their impact. After decades of exposure to the elements, the NTS says that the…

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Cairngorm and Nevis Big Spring Clean

Posted on June 6, 2010 by Helen Webster

Now in its third year, the Ski Club of Great Britain’s ‘Big Spring Clean’, returns to the Scottish ski resorts of Cairngorm Mountain and Nevis Range on 20th June. Taking place a month later than previous years due to a record breaking Scottish snow season and deep snow bases at the resorts, the event is a chance for mountain users to do their bit by picking up litter left by a season’s worth of visitors. Volunteers are asked to meet at 10am at the bottom of the gondola at Nevis Range or the Ranger Base at Coire Cas on Cairngorm…

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Elie Chain Walk re-opened

Posted on June 4, 2010 by Helen Webster

Following its closure earlier in the year, the Chain Walk at Elie has now been re-opened. The via-ferrata type route, which is maintained by Fife Council, has been repaired following the extensive damage it sustained in April. Around two thirds of the chains were cut and stolen, leaving much of the walk out of action for the majority of visitors to the area. Bill Wilson, Team Leader Countryside, Leisure & Cultural Services said: “I am pleased to be able to confirm that the work on repairing the Chain Walk is now complete. “I would like to thank all those who…

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Police raid poisoned birds estate

Posted on June 4, 2010 by Helen Webster

Yesterday morning (3 June) Police mounted a massive raid on the Moy Estate near Inverness as part of an ongoing intelligence led operation into allegations of wildlife crime in the area. The operation involved the searching of outbuildings, a large area of open ground, and vehicles, and involved 25 Police officers including specialist wildlife crime officers, search officers, CID and scenes of crime staff. They were assisted by specialists from other agencies including the RSPB and Scottish Natural Heritage. A number of items were removed for forensic examination. The operation has been running for a number of weeks and over…

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Spyke breaks Munro record

Posted on June 3, 2010 by Helen Webster

Congratulations are due to Stephen Pyke – or Spyke – who has completed his record-breaking run over all the Munros. Just thirty nine days and nine hours after heading up Ben More on Mull, Spyke has successfully climbed the final Munro, Ben Hope, to break the record for climbing all the Munros in the fastest time by nine days. The previous record – 48 days 12 hours – was held by Charlie Campbell, who arranged for a celebratory message and a bottle of whisky to be awaiting Spyke on the final summit. Stephen was running the round to raise funds…

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Police appeal for car sighting in Glen Croe

Posted on June 3, 2010 by Helen Webster

Lothian and Borders Police investigating the murder of Suzanne Pilley have asked us to make an appeal for information, exactly four weeks since the Edinburgh woman disappeared. Members of the public are urged to come come forward with any potentially relevant information. DCI Flannigan said: “We have been carrying out searches in the Argyll area following an extensive scoping operation. “What people have to appreciate is that this is a vast area and it is important that we have our officers targeting the right areas in terms of the searches. “I am extremely grateful to the members of the public…

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Steall Falls bridge closed

Posted on May 29, 2010 by Helen Webster

The wire bridge over the Water of Nevis at Steall, Glen Nevis, has been closed after one of its cables snapped on Wednesday 26 May. The bridge links the Glen Nevis property, owned by the John Muir Trust, with land owned by Rio Tinto Alcan. After the incident, the Trust’s Nevis Ranger acted quickly to close off both sides of the bridge and put up warning signs for walkers. Andrew Campbell, head of land management for the John Muir Trust said: “The wire bridge is a Glen Nevis landmark and many walkers enjoy crossing it. It receives a regular maintenance…

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One year on for Scottish beavers

Posted on May 27, 2010 by Helen Webster

A year ago, on 29 May 2009, Scotland’s first wild beavers for over 400 years were released into Knapdale Forest, Mid-Argyll. This marked the start of the Scottish Beaver Trial, a five-year time-limited trial reintroduction and a partnership project between the Scottish Wildlife Trust (SWT), the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) and host Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS). This week marks the first year milestone for the project, which aims to follow the beavers’ activities in the wild and gather information on how the presence of beavers might affect the Scottish environment and determine if the beaver might prosper again…

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