Review: The Secret Life of the Mountain Hare

Posted on October 24, 2018 by Paul Webster

Out of all the creatures with which we share Scotland’s hills, for me there are none that can match the charm of the mountain hare. Whilst on most encounters we walkers only manage to get a fleeting glimpse of their rear end as they skip gracefully away over the snow or through the heather, a close encounter with a relaxed hare reveals their endlessly endearing facial expressions and gestures. When it comes to photographing these magical creatures there’s one man who has risen to prominence as the pre-eminent hare photographer in recent years – Andy Howard – so this book…

Posted in Books, Magazine, Photography

Interview with Claire Mack, head of Scottish Renewables

Posted on October 19, 2018 by Helen Webster

Controversy over renewable energy projects has raged in the outdoors world for many years, from concerns over the siting of wind farms and protection of wild land to the more recent landscape damage from hydro schemes in some of our most stunning landscapes. Helen caught up with Claire Mack, the Chief Executive of Scottish Renewables, the trade body for renewable energy in Scotland, to get the industry view. We understand that you’re a user of Walkhighlands, so I presume you enjoy walking in Scotland’s outdoors yourself. What does getting out in the Scottish landscape mean to you and do you…

Posted in Magazine, Nature

Give a bit of Mountain Magic – Adopt an Acre

Posted on October 19, 2018 by Helen Webster

Conservation charity the John Muir Trust (JMT) is urging walkers to turn away from the usual consumerist frezy and give an alternative gift this Christmas. The JMT says its Adopt an Acre is the ideal gift for mountaineers, hillwalkers and anyone else, at home or abroad, who has an emotional connection with the mighty mountains of the Scottish Highlands. Four of Scotland’s finest Munros have been offered for ‘adoption’ by the John Muir Trust – with the proceeds helping to fund conservation work on each of the mountains, including footpath repairs, landscape enhancement and wildlife protection. For £25, members of…

Posted in Nature

Obituary: Rennie McOwan

Posted on October 13, 2018 by Bob Chaundy

Rennie McOwan was an esteemed outdoorsman, journalist, writer and broadcaster who was steeped in the history, folklore and culture of his native Scotland. Through his newspaper columns, books and television programmes, he shared his knowledge and views of the great outdoors. Above all, he played a key role in persuading the authorities to make freedom to roam in Scotland a legal right. As a young boy, his parents gave him his own personal freedom to roam the Ochil Hills around the village of Menstrie near Stirling where he was born in 1933. The hills, mountains, burns and braes became his…

Posted in Features, Magazine, News

Increase in Tayside beavers leads to call for greater protection

Posted on October 12, 2018 by Helen Webster

Beaver numbers across Tayside have increased in the past six years, according to a new Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) survey. Whilst welcoming the expansion of the species, the Scottish Wildlife Trust is warning that without legal protection these beavers are at risk of unregulated, and possibly inhumane killing. The SNH report estimates that around 430 beavers live in over 100 active beaver territories in Tayside. A 2012 survey estimated beaver numbers across the region at about 150 beavers in 40 territories. Nick Halfhide, SNH’s Director of Sustainable Growth, said, “By building dams, beavers improve local water quality and help nurture…

Posted in Nature

Signs, sticks and stones

Posted on October 9, 2018 by David Lintern

When is a pile of stones a work of art, a historical monument or an act of vandalism, and how much signage do we want in the Scottish Hills? David Lintern considers cairns, signposts, interpretation and other human interventions, both seen and unseen. A pile of rocks Cairns are perhaps the oldest marks in our landscape, but their existence is complex – they have different forms and functions. Some designate a summit or an ancient site, waymark a route, others seem to be more about mark making or decoration. Recently, Skye locals clubbed together to remove rock stacks made by…

Posted in Access issues, Features, Magazine, Nature

Votes needed to help secure the future of Scotland’s red squirrels

Posted on October 8, 2018 by Helen Webster

An innovative Highlands project offering hope for the long-term survival of Scotland’s red squirrels will be stepped up if conservation charity Trees for Life wins an online vote for a major European funding award. With the UK’s red squirrels at risk of extinction, the charity’s pioneering Reds Return project has been shortlisted to receive more than £25,000 in the European Outdoor Conservation Association’s funding scheme. The winner will be determined by online voting between 8-19 October, and anyone can vote for Trees for Life at www.treesforlife.org.uk/voteTFL. Winning would allow Trees for Life to reintroduce red squirrels to four carefully chosen…

Posted in Magazine, Nature

Winter Safety Talks

Posted on October 8, 2018 by Helen Webster

As we approach the winter season, both Mountain Aid and Mountaineering Scotland are offering a series of winter mountain safety talks across the country. The free Mountain Aid evenings will take place from 12 to 16 November and will be presented by mountain rescue legend Dave “Heavy” Whalley. Heavy’s talks will provide essential safety tips for hillwalkers venturing out into the Scottish mountains during the winter months. From choosing the right boots to interpreting weather and avalanche forecasts. From what to eat/drink to how to maximise your chances of surviving a rescue incident. Mountain Safety Advisor, Heather Morning, will host…

Posted in Magazine, News

Gear Review: Womens Mammut Ultimate V softshell hooded jacket

Posted on October 8, 2018 by Helen Webster

Recommended Price: £229 Weight: 350g (Womens S) Sizes: XS-XL (Womens) S-XXL (Mens) Mens version available My usual layers of choice for cooler, windy days in Scotland are either baselayer, microfleece and wind shirt or baselayer with a primaloft insulated jacket on top. However I often tend to feel cold in the wind when not ascending, only to overheat quickly once I start climbing. Recently I’ve been testing Mammut’s revamped Ultimate V softshell jacket and it seems to fit the bill as an outer layer for dry, windy Scottish conditions. The first thing you notice is that the fabric is softer,…

Posted in Gear reviews, Jackets, Magazine

Gear review: Osprey Levity 60L backpack

Posted on October 3, 2018 by Paul Webster

Recommended Price: £240 Weight: 0.9kg Capacity: 60 litres When backpacking, excessive weight on your back can easily destroy your enjoyment. It’s obvious you need to minimise the weight whilst still carrying all the things you really need and when you’re trying to save every gram, it’s rather galling to see that the weight of many larger backpacks exceed 2kg. One of my favourite items amongst all the kit I’ve ever owned was the original GoLite Gust minimalist pack, based on Ray Jardine’s designs. This radical piece of kit really reduced design features to an absolute minimum, cutting the weight of…

Posted in Gear reviews, Magazine, Rucksacks