The new footbridge © Kees Witte
Rob Mackay
A new footbridge over River Quoich at the Punchbowl on the Mar Lodge Estate has been installed in April 2017. The previous bridge was ruined by a tree carried down by flood water during Storm Frank in January 2015. There is another footbridge to be built further up the glen. This work was greatly assisted by the Cairngorm Club that made a donation of donation of £25,000. The Cairngorm Club Secretary Ken Thomson said they had received a bequest from Willie Robb and they were very pleased to commemorate him on the plaque. Ken Thomson commented: "This latest project is really a continuation of something the club has been doing for over a century".
The new footbridge © Kees Witte
The Cairngorms National Park has published its National Park Partnership Plan 2017 - 2022 (cairngorms.co.uk). The long-term vision is stated as "An outstanding National Park, where nature and people thrive together". The National Park Outcomes are stated as
It is stated that this Partnership Plan has been supported by various assessments including Strategic Environmental Assessment, Habitats Regulations Appraisal and an Equalities Impact Assessment.
It has been reported that the Kinrara Estate have installed three new electronic gates preventing people from accessing Speyside Way in the normal way. However on the Cairngorms National Park website there is statement that "following positive discussions newly installed gates on estate driveways will remain open". It appears the Kinrara Estate stated "the intention was never to restrict access but rather to regulate access given concerns over anti-social behavior and other issues".
Scottish National Heritage has recently published its Uplands Vision report. This follows a consultation process and it makes a series of recommendations on producing a strategic vision for the Scotland's uplands, which would involve a wide range of interest groups and organisations. This could be a useful step in resolving conflicts between different stakeholders on how the uplands should be used and enjoyed. The next step will be to see if there is political will to take this forward.
Wildlife charity RSPB has fitted a record number of hen harrier chicks with satellite tags this year as the fight against their decline continues. More than 24 chicks have been tagged so far, the majority of them in Scotland. Of the 12 fitted with tags in 2016 only 5 are still alive.
Nan Shepherd
HonouredNan Shepherd, the author of the The Living Mountain has been honoured 'at home' by the award of a memorial plaque. This is to be installed at her former home, Dunvegan, North Deeside Road, where she lived all her life. The award was made by the Lord Provost of Aberdeen and the reception was attended by members of the Cults and Culter Hill Clubs and many others.
The Met Office has made major changes to its mountain weather forecasts. Now there will be separate forecasts for the North-West Highlands, North Grampian, South Grampian, South-East Highlands and South-West Highlands.
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