Front Page
Membership
Join NEMT Today
Member Clubs
News
Issues
Journal
Winter Talks
Hilltracks Survey
Aims
History
Links
Contacts
Site Map

Current News

Last updated 14-Dec-2007

Footpaths and Access

• Glen Tanar Estate warn that the footbridge across the Tanar on the track to Mount Keen, at OS Ref NO405895, is impassable due to storm damage. The alternative crossing point at NO413908, south of Etnach involves a walk of over 1.5km with no footpath. The Estate are now considering replacing the bridge. For more information see their website, contact the Ranger Service at 013398 86072 or ranger@glentanar.co.uk
• Aberdeen City Council have produced a draft Outdoor Access Strategy, which sets out a framework for planning, developing and managing access to the outdoors in Aberdeen. Their consultion ended on 31st August.
• Good information about walking in Deeside is available from the Upper Deeside Access Trust who are continuing a programme of footpath repair.
• Mar Lodge Estate are continuing a programme of footpath work - details
• Invercauld Estate have a new Car Park at Keiloch. A charge of £2 per car is made there and also by NTS at Linn of Dee

Queens View

Alex Sim Plant Hire Ltd has reapplied for planning permission for a quarry and waste recycling facility (rubbish dump) adjacent to Queens View. Once again we need to stop this going ahead and ruining the local environment. By sending a letter of objection to the council YOU can help to stop it. The new application covers about 20 acres with 1.5million cubic feet of granite to be extracted over 35 to 40 years using 25 lorries each day. previous application - savequeensview.co.uk

Deer Management & Public Access

Do you enjoy using the countryside for recreation?
Are you concerned about environmental issues and wildlife?

If the answer to either of these questions is 'Yes' then the International Centre for the Environment at the University of Bath would like your help. They are looking for people to take part in topical research on deer management and public access.
Further information (closing date 31st March 2005)

Hillphones 2004

Deer stalking has started across Scotland and so has the Hillphones 2004 service. Hillphones is a recorded telephone message service which gives information about stag stalking activity in upland areas of Scotland. The service is to help hillwalkers find out where stalking is taking place and to plan their routes to avoid stalking operations. Messages are updated daily, and forecasts are given for a few days ahead wherever possible. Calls are charged at normal rates.

You can view the Hillphone maps, telephone numbers and main stalking dates by visiting the Hillphones webpage. The website shows the most recent messages - MCof S information

Scottish Outdoor Access Code

November 2004: SNH launch the Outdoor Access Scotland Website

July 2004: The Scottish Outdoor Access Code was approved by resolution of the Scottish Parliament, having received Ministerial approval, with modifications, in May. The Access Code will provide guidance on responsible behaviour for recreational users, and on responsible land management in relation to the new rights. SNH has a statutory duty to prepare and issue the Code, and to publicise and promote understanding of it.

Summer 2003: Alongside the Land Reform (Scotland) Act, there is to be a Scottish Outdoor Access Code. A wide discussion of the issues appears on the MCofS website. At the same time SNH consulted on a National Access Forum for Scotland.
NEMT responses: SOAC - Access Forum

Cairngorms National Park

Local Access Forum

The Cairngorms National Park Authority have held workshops prior to appointing a Local Access Forum. The events were designed to raise awareness, promote involvement and to seek views on LAF structure and the appointments mechanism. Details and dates

Planning Consultation

The Planning Department of the new Cairngorm National Park Authority has consulted on Radio Telecommunications Masts and on Vehicle Hill-Tracks. CNPA website  NEMT responses

Wild Land for Nature & People

An International Conference on Sustaining Wild Land in the 21st Century is to be held from 20 – 23 October 2004 at the Festival Theatre, Pitlochry. The Conference is organised by the John Muir Trust.
Information and Bookings

Glencoe Property Statement 2005-2009

The National Trust for Scotland is currently working to develop a new Property Statement (a type of management planning document) for Glencoe. As part of this process a temporary exhibition will be held in the Education Room of the Glencoe Visitor Centre throughout the month of October. The aim of the exhibition is to gather views on the importance and future management of Glencoe and it will be free to anyone who wishes to enter.

If you are unable to attend the exhibition you can also share your views via the Trust website at any time throughout October by visiting www.nts.org.uk - Glencoe Property link.

Land Reform (Scotland) Act

November 2004: SNH launch the Outdoor Access Scotland Website

January 2003: The Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 has passed through the Scottish Parliament. It addresses:-

• Access
• Community right to buy
• Crofting community right to buy

Part 1 of the Act establishes statutory rights of access to land and inland water for outdoor recreation. The new rights are expected to come into force later in 2004.

Summary of Local Authority Duties under the Act - archive of Land Reform Bill

Macleod Cuillin For Sale?

MCof S Calls For Involvement
Cuillin may be gifted to the nation (HIE 09/07/2003)
BBC News - video - S. Executive

Renewable Energy

Everyone Campaign

An initiative from Scottish Environment Link with six themes:

• Waste Reduction
• Healthy Seas
• Safe Food
• Protection of Nature
• Clean Air
• Climate Change

For Better or Worse? Environmental Policy in the first four years of Scotland's Parliament

Environmental Attitudes Survey