Hillwalk Scotland

Political Debate on Outdoor and Energy Issues

Oneof the big issues facing the Scottish Executive is the controversy over onshore wind farms and the building of transmission lines through the Cairngorm National Park. The subjects have been raised at severalof the Scoottish Votepod debates that have been taking place throughout Scotland in the run up to the elections for the Scottish Parliament.

if you want to listen to clips of the debates or view video highlights you should click through to the Cairngorm Debate and to the Energy debate. Davie Black, the wildlands officer of the Ramblers Association features in Section 2 of the Energy Debate. Have a listen, it may help you decide how to vote.

Scottish Election - Hillwalking Issues

The Ramblers Association have launched a campaign ahead of elections to the Scottish Parliament on May3rd.

They've published a Manifesto which they will lobby the politicians about. The key issues identified are energy, National Parks and access.

Quite separately there are opportunities to quiz the politicians at a couple of major events in April which are part of the Scottish Votepods project. There is a big environmental event at the Hub in Edinburgh on April 17th which several of the Party leaders have agreed to take part. If you can't be there you can submit questions to Scottish Votepods for inclusion on the night.

They also have a debate planned for Aviemore on April 20th. The Big Cairngorm Debate will provide a great opportunity to quiz the politicians directly on outdoor subjects. I'll update on this when full details are known.

Scots Involved in Extreme Mountain Challenges

BBC News Online appears to be running a short series of extreme mountain features involving Scottish climbers. So here are some links to some weekend reading.
The first tells the story of Pauline Sanderson, from Strathspey. She was part of a team which completed the world's longest climb last year, cycling from the Dead Sea - the lowest point on Earth - before ascending Everest. Also among the team was her husband Phil, making them the first married couple to climb Everest.
The second is the story of how two members of the Loch Lomond Mountain Rescue Team, Martin McCallum and Ian Dawson, climbed the Denali in Alaska - the highest mountain in America at 20,320ft.

No Changes to Cairngorm Boundaries

Just a quick update to recent posts on proposals to extend the boundaries of the Cairngorm National Park. According to The Herald, the Scottish Executive has no plans to make any changes for the time being. Ministers say a planned 5 year review due next year will be the appropriate time to assess this issue.

Hillwalkers For Pylons

I blogged yesterday about the amount of environmental issues that seem to impact on hillwalkers in Scotland. Instinctively most of us are against anything that damages the landscape we love and proposals for giant pylons seem to be universally condemned by hillwalkers and groups such as The Ramblers Association.

So I thought readers may be interested in looking at an article today by The Herald's political commentator, Iain MacWhirter. In it he suggests groups such as The Ramblers have 'to get real'. His argument - we must do something to prevent global warming by increasing the amount of renewable energy generated, If we don't, the environmental damage to the landscape will be far greater than the damage done by building bigger pylons along an existing route. It's a very thought provoking piece and warns of the consequences for the Highlands that a lack of winter will bring.

Incidently, I know Iain well and he's a very keen hillwalker who knows and respects Scotland's mountains - these are not the ramblings of someone without an understanding of our mountains.

Environmental Issues for Hillwalkers

There are times when I feel more like an environmental blogger than a hillwalking blogger. There's lots in the news at the moment about two key issues that impact on the Highlands and on walkers(as well as others).
Yesterday in Blair Atholl, MSP's took evidence regarding the boundaries of the Cairngorm National Park which, when established, followed political boundaries rather than geographical. The outcome being that several centres of population are not part of the park nor are sensitive areas of the environment including several mountains cut in half by the boundary. As with many of these things there is a difference of opinion between those who fear the economic restrictions and loss of control that park membership will bring and those that want to see the Park have a geographic and environmental integrity. The Herald has a good piece on the debate and also an editorial comment.
Meanwhile The Scotsman looks at the public enquiry opening today about a proposal to build giant power lines from Beauly, in the Highlands, to Denny, Stirlingshire. Cutting right through some very scenic parts of the Highlands they will carry large quantities of renewable energy generated in the Highlands to the southern centres of population. While most support the need for more renewable energy there are real fears that considerable damage will be done to the Highland landscape and that it is more appropriate to build renewable power sources nearer to population centres. As well as previewing the inquiry, the Scotsman carries an opinion piece for the development by Prof James Curran, a former head of environmental strategy at the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency and an anti column by Helen McDade, a policy officer at the John Muir Trust. Have a look at what is an important enquiry for those who love Scotland's mountains.

Naked Munro Baggers

What is it about Munro baggers that constantly drives them to find different and unique ways to climb them all. Stuart and Karla are planning to stand naked on the summit of all 284 mountains in Scotland over 3000ft. So far they've done 11. Now as someone who has stood on them all, my very firm recommendation is Get Yer Kit On. I doubt if anyone has yet stood on the summit of every Munro on a nice day, far less stripped naked.

Nevertheless I wish them well on their venture and will be casting an eye (purely in the interests of research) on their website which displays the photographic evidence of their achievements! Incidently the site is graphic so don't surf there if your kids or boss are in the vicinity - you may have a bit of explaining to do

Ratho Adventure Centre to Reopen

At long last good news about the Ratho Adventure Centre on the outskirts of Edinburgh. It's due to partially reopen on Monday 29th January. Initially, only the climbing arena and changing rooms although they also hope to have the daunting Skyride ready. The second phase of the reopening will include the spa, the gym and fitness studio, Tiso’s shop, conferencing and catering facilities and is expected to be fully open and operational at the beginning of May. The facility will be renamed The Edinburgh International Climbing Centre. Full details can be found here.

I've posted in the past about the troubled history of the Centre - although a fantastic development built in an old quarry, it was in financial trouble right from the beginning and is now in the ownership of Edinburgh City Council. Here's hoping that it finally gets off the ground, and that people start to use this remarkable resource. I quite often find myself in the west of Edinburgh for work reasons so I'll try and look in asap and update on what's been achieved.

Impact of Weather Changes

As if in answer to the question I posed yesterday about the long term effect of climate change on Scotland's mountains, the Sunday Herald today has a feature talking to a range of experts about the likely impact. I'm afraid it doesn't make for encouraging reading.
As well as the obvious threat that a warmer climate brings to the beauty of snow capped mountains, wildlife such as red squirrel, capercaille and snow buntings are under threat. As are the remaining trees of the Caledonian pine forest and a range of alpine plants that flourish in Scotlands mountains. And just to rub salt into the wounds, the creature that is most likely to flourish is that plague of the Highlans, the midge!!
Its well worth looking at the article even if it does make for depressing reading.

Weather Forecast for Year

A slightly belated Happy New Year to all readers of Hillwalk Scotland. I hope some of you have managed some hillwalking over the Festive period. Sadly, I've been pretty much stuck indoors - with a young family and a notable family birthday to celebrate, the opportunities have been few. On the days a hillwalk was possible the weather was dreadful - wet and windy seemed the norm for much of the last two weeks. Winter walking for me means cold and crisp with excellent visibility. However there have been very few days like that this winter.
According to the weather forecasts the mild and wet winter is due to continue. Outdoors Magic has a summary of the main forecasters predictions for the next month and the BBC Weather site also has a monthly forecast. The BBC forecast predicts the mild weather will continue well into February. While there is some snow, the cold, crisp, clear days that make winter walking so enjoyable are going to be largely absent.
The forecasters have also been issuing their thoughts for the coming year. The Met Office are confidently saying that this year will be the hottest on record. Their confidence is based on the combined effects of El Nino and global warming.
What this means for hillwalking in Scotland, I'm not sure. While a nice warm, dry spell will allow for good walking and is to be welcomed, I do worry about the impact on the mountain environment. Whatever happens, here's to some great hillwalking in 2007!