Hillphones
Hillphones recorded messages give you up to date information about areas affected by deer stalking.
The single greatest cause of local access problems notified to the MCofS concern the conflict (often only perceived) between walking and deer stalking activity. The MCofS's approach has always been one of solving such problems by talking directly to those involved, and this led to the publication of "Heading for the Scottish Hills" book in 1987. For the first time in Scotland this gave ownership details and boundaries of the estates covering the most popular hills. It details contact numbers of stalkers. The message MCofS were sending to all parties involved was that we could cooperate to find a way of allowing both activities to coexist. Through the book walkers and climbers can contact the estates prior to a visit during the peak stalking time (Stag Stalking - August to October) to obtain information about the location of stalking during their visit in order that they could then avoid disrupting a stalk.
After 2 reprints "Heading for the Scottish Hills" was becoming too successful. Walkers and climbers were proving that they were only too willing to help. As a result, the number of enquiries taken by some estate staff was becoming too onerous. The most simple solution was to have a recorded message system that could be accessed by many people, without disrupting the lives of estate staff. This was the birth of the Hillphones idea.
The Hillphones scheme provides easily accessible information about the location of deer stalking activities during the main part of the stag stalking season (August to October inclusive). Daily messages are recorded by the deer managers and are available on special Hillphone numbers. Walkers and climbers phone the relevant Hillphone and plan their day around the information provided on the message.
A typical Hillphone message might say that stalking is taking place in the corries on the east side of a mountain and it would be appreciated if walkers would approach from the north or west on that day. Hillphone messages give the date on which they were recorded so those calling are more likely to comply with any request if they see that it is specific to that day. Wherever possible Hillphone messages contain a forecast of stalking activities for the next few days. This is not always possible, particularly in a spell of changeable weather, but it is helpful to those planning a trip into the mountains if they can find out where stalking is likely to be over the next couple of days.
The Hillphones scheme was launched in 1996 with 3 pilot areas, itnow covers many of the most popular hill walking areas. Other areas will join over time and the MCofS is working with the Association of Deer Management Groups, Scottish Natural Heritage and the participating estates to increase the range of the scheme.
Details of the scheme are available on the dedicated website - www.hillphones.info where you can aslo download the latest leaflet.
Important Points to Note
- MCofS approach in this matter is to allow coexistence between walkers and stalkers. There should be no need for a total ban on access during the stalking period.
- Alternative access should almost always be available to the same destination.
- Walking up and down hills by routes that follow the main line of the ridges, rather than taking a 'short cut' through the corries to gain the ridges or down into the corries at the end of the day, often helps stalkers. This is particularly helpful on well-defined hills typical of the west.
Please send any comments on Hillphones to:
The Access and Conservation Officer
The Mountaineering Council of Scotland,
The Old Granary, West Mill Street,
Perth PH1 5QP