Other News
The Scottish Climbing Calendar 2005
The much-acclaimed large format Calendar produced by Dave ‘Cubby’ Cuthbertson and Jo George is back. Depicting some of the best and most diverse climbing in Scotland, including a wide range of climbs of all grades and all types (ice, mixed winter, mountain rock, sea cliffs, sea stacks and bouldering) it is sure to inspire anyone with a penchant towards climbing.
Its available in shops across Scotland at £12.95 and is available on-line at http://www.cubbyimages.co.uk/.
Wild Land in Discussion
With the National Geographic Magazine survey rating Scotland as a 7th world best location for sustainable tourism, ahead of anywhere else in Europe, and with an ever increasing desecration of our wilderness by bulldozed tracks, inappropriate forestry and wind farm proposals, the subject of wilderness is high on the agenda.
Scottish Environment Link recently produced a leaflet to raise the awareness of wild land issues. It states,
“Following the passing of Scotland’s historic Land Reform Act, wild landscapes have a renewed place in the nation’s thinking. The strengthening rights of access should provide a stronger bond between the people of Scotland and our wilder places, making them more attractive to more people. Consequently Scotland needs to take the next step in securing the value of wild landscapes for those who live beside them, those across Scotland as a whole and those who come to our country to marvel at those places where they can find peace, sanctuary, adventure and physical and mental restoration”.
Find out more from:
Scottish Natural Heritage 2002 report “Wildness in Scotland’s Countryside”. Copies from Tel: 01738 444 177 or email: pubs@redgore.demon.co.uk. Website: http://www.snh.org.uk/.
Scottish Wild Land Group publication offers expert perspectives in “Scotland’s Wild Land – What Future?” available from SWLG (£5), Creagmhor Lodge, Lochard Road, Aberfoyle, Stirling FK8 3TD; Email: enquiries@swlg.org.uk.
John Muir Trust Wild Land Conference
20th – 23rd October 2004
Festival Theatre, Pitlochry
In this year, the 21st Anniversary of the JMT, this international conference will explore elements of wildness and why it is important; hosted by current Chairman Dick Balharry and with major speakers including Julian Pettifer (TV presenter), Richard Holloway (BBC Presenter), Ian Anderson and Lesley Riddoch (BBC Radio Scotland),
The event starts with a champagne reception, includes cameo plays, storytelling, music and dance and a day out into the wild and will conclude by making a ‘Declaration for the Wild’ at a closing summary.
Details from: JMT at 41 Commercial Street, Leith, Edinburgh EH6 6JD. Tel: 0131 554 0114. Website: http://www.jmt.org/.
SNH Energy and The Natural Heritage Conference
November 10th & 11th 2004
Pitlochry Festival Theatre
Scottish Natural Heritage’s annual conference this year addresses the issue of energy. Day 1 gives an overview of energy use, legacy, present and future options. Day 2 will focus on renewables and their effect on the natural heritage. It is open to landowners, NGO’s, Teachers, the energy industry, Environmental scientists and the tourist industry. An open public lecture will be arranged for the Tuesday 9th evening.
Contact Mrs Helen G Forster, SNH, 2 Anderson Place, Edinburgh EH6 5NP. Tel: 0131 446 2420. Email: energyconference@snh.gov.uk. http://www.snh.org.uk/.
Winston Churchill Memorial Trust
“Chance of a Lifetime”
Travelling Fellowships 2005
The trust offers opportunities for British Citizens to travel overseas to undertake study projects related to their trade, profession, or particular interest. 2005 categories include ‘photographers and documentary filmmakers’, ‘personal development’ for under 25yr olds, ‘adventure’, ‘exploration’ and ‘leaders of expeditions’.
For more information send an SAE to: The Winston Churchill Memorial Trust, 15 Queens Gate Terrace, London SW7 5PR. Tel: 020 7584 9315. Fax: 020 7581 0410. Email: office@wcmt.org.uk.
Autumn Events:
The Munro Society
A Celebration of Mountains An Exhibition of paintings and photographs
Thursday October 14th – Saturday October 23rd
The Banavie Hall, Blair Castle, Blair Atholl (Courtesy of Atholl Estates)
In support of the Blair Atholl community at “The gateway to the Cairngorms”
The Exhibition is to coincide with the Annual Dinner of The Munro Society, to be held in Atholl Arms Blair Atholl on Saturday 16th October. In support of the work of PARC (Perthshire Alliance for the Real Cairngorms) the Society are to exhibit mountain paintings and photographs, some of which are privately held in the collections of Society members. Visitors are invited to support the local community in its efforts to promote its status as the “Gateway” to the Cairngorms National Park. Photographic prints, greeting cards and calendars will be on sale
More Than Meets The Eye
14th August – 25th September 2004
Mid Pennine Gallery, York Street, Burnley. Tel: 01282 421 986
Admission free
Photographer and climber Alastair Lee presents an exhibition of 360 degree panoramic landscapes from around the world.
Crieff Drovers Tryst Walking Festival
Half-Term Week
9th – 16th October 2004
Everything for the family
Outdoors: Local walks on Laggan, Choinneachan and Torlum Hills, and the odd Munro (Ben Vorlich & Stuc a Chrion); Low level walks in Glen Lednock, Glen Ogle and others; mountain biking for families and adults, rock climbing for kids and families.
Music and events: Pipe Band, ‘Plaid and Bandanas’, ‘Mama’s’ live local music, live Jazz, Ceilidh for families and a Drover’s Ceilidh, live street theatre and farmer’s market and much more.
See http://www.droverstryst.co.uk/ . Bookings Tel: 01764 652 578 (Crieff Tourist Information Centre)
The Cateran Trail and the East Perthshire Walking Festival 2004
A new brochure for this long distance walk (the only circular version in Scotland) has just been published by The Perth and Kinross Countryside Trust. 64 miles of paths, moorland, ancient tracks, drove roads and some minor roads follows the richly diverse countryside around Blairgowrie and into the foothills of the mighty Cairngorms.Guided walks along sections of the trail will feature in the inaugural Blairgowrie and East Perthshire Walking Festival this autumn (30th September – 3rd October).
Find out more about the Trail and the festival from Blairgowrie Tourist Information Centre. Tel: 01250 872960 or Email: blairgowrietic@perthshire.co.uk
A 64 page waterproof, spiral bound guide to the trail, combined with route map and built-in map flap and fully illustrated will be published in September 2004. Find out more about this from Rucksack Readers at 01786 824 696 or http://www.rucsacs.com/
MOUNTAIN FILM FESTIVALS 2004:
22nd Dundee Mountain Film Festival
Exploration and Discovery Theme
Friday 26th – Sunday 28th November
21 films; the making of Touching the Void; David Hemplman-Adams; John Beaty; Alex Huber; the best of Banff
Tickets available from Tiso Dundee Tel: 01382 221 153; or http://www.dundeemountainfilm.org.uk/ Email: alastairstewart@dmff.fsworld.co.uk Tel: 01382 730 699.
Kendal Film Festival
Kendal Brewry Arts Centre
Kendal, Cumbria
12th – 21st November
60 films; Extreme Sports films and lectures; Kurt Diemberger, Hienz Zak, Ben Heason, Rob Collister, Alastair Lee, Alan Hinks and more….
Book fair, readings and debates; Digital photography competition; film school with the BBC.
See http://www.mountainfilm.co.uk/. Email: info@mountainfilm.co.uk.
Edinburgh Mountain Film Festival Second Annual Festival
8th, 9th & 10th October
the George Square Lecture Theatre
Headlining this year’s event is Simon Yates (Touching the Void star). Other speakers include Scottish rock star Dave MacLeod, polar explorer Andrew Cooney, big wall man Andy Kirkpatrick, Andrew Greig and Liz Duff (lecture, poem and song celebrating Scottish climbing legend, Mal Duff). See http://www.edinburghmountainff.com/ for further details.
Tickets on sale at Tiso shops and Alien Rock. Enquiries to: queries@edinburghmountainff.com.
Walkers and Cyclists Welcome
Visitscotland set up a grading scheme under the branding of Scottish Tourist Board whereby accommodation was assessed by Visitscotland’s quality advisors to ensure they met certain standards of comfort and cleanliness. However, although many were appealing to the outdoor fraternity, they did not offer what walkers and climbers really needed. Several years ago the MCofS helped Visitscotland identify what facilities and requirements were really needed and the Walkers & Cyclists Welcome scheme was born. Where you see the Walkers Welcome logo displayed, walkers will know that they can expect the following:
- Somewhere separate to dry outdoor clothing
- A hot drink on arrival
- A late evening meal (until 2000hrs) or a snack (after 2000hrs)
- An early breakfast (from 0700hrs)
- A packed lunch facility and flask filled if required
- Information on local walking
- Information on local transport
- Information on the weather forecast
- (NB. self catering and hostels also offer details of local rescue services, OS coordinates and facilities for washing, but are not required to to give weather forecasts but offer access to a phone)
For Cyclists, look for the Cyclists Welcome sign and in addition to the walkers welcome facilities you will find:
- A lockable shed for bike storage
- Details of the nearest cycle repair specialist and shop
- Information on cycle routes
There are over 950 accommodation establishments (B&B’s, Hotels, Self Catering, Guest Houses, Bunkhouses and others) across Scotland which have signed up to the scheme. They are detailed in a brochure available from any Tourist Information Centre or Tel: 0845 2255121. You can also find out information on the Walk Scotland website http://www.walkingwild.com/.