This is a feed for RSS West Highland Way news. http://www.west-highland-way.co.uk/news.asp http://www.west-highland-way.co.uk/newsarticle.asp?id=1233 Keep the West Highland Way tidy and ensure it is a pleasurable experience for yourself and others. RUBBISH As the season gets going please make sure you take plastic bags with you for all of your rubbish. Bins are located in the communities you pass through and this is the only place to leave rubbish as the local authority has a collection process. TOILET Toilet - take a plastic garden trowel so that you can bury any solid toilet waste and please do not GO near the water course. function googleTranslateElementInit() { new google.translate.TranslateElement({ pageLanguage: 'en' }, 'google_translate_element'); } Tue, 6 Apr 06/04/2010 GMT http://www.west-highland-way.co.uk/newsarticle.asp?id=1306 All diversions on the West Highland Way have now been removed so Garadbhan Forest section is fully open and the spur into Crianlarich is back onto the original path into the village. Tue, 14 May 14/05/2013 GMT http://www.west-highland-way.co.uk/newsarticle.asp?id=1288 Dogs and dog walking Access rights apply to you if you're walking your dog(s) provided they are kept under proper control. Spring is the main season where your dog must be properly controlled to protect young farm animals and ground-nesting birds (over half of Scotland's birds nest on the ground!) At this time of year your main responsibilities are: •LAMBS: Don't take your dog into fields where there are lambs, calves or other young animals. •FARM ANIMALS: Never let your dog worry or attack farm animals. •SAFETY AROUND CATTLE: Cattle can act aggressively. Keep yourself and your dog at a safe distance and if necessary let your dog go so that you can both seek safety. •PLANTED FIELDS: Don't take your dog into fruit and vegetable fields unless there is a clear path. •PUBLIC PLACES: Keep your dog under close control and avoid causing concern to others, especially those who fear dogs. •DOG WASTE: Pick up and dispose of carefully. Read our briefing note to discover how dangerous dog waste is to livestock. Please download owners' advice leaflet and further information on what the Code means for you and your dog from this site http://www.outdooraccess-scotland.com/out-and-about/recreation-activities/dog-walking/ Tue, 26 Jun 26/06/2012 GMT http://www.west-highland-way.co.uk/newsarticle.asp?id=1298 Scotland's Nature Scotland's Nature comes to you from Scottish Natural Heritage and offers a unique insight into Scotland's most iconic landscapes and species. Using a range of stunning images by award winning photographers and linking them to engaging text backed up with a variety of audio and video clips this is an app that gives a fascinating introduction into Scotland's nature. From sea to summit, from the busy red squirrel to the mighty eagle, Scotland's magnificent natural heritage is waiting for you. This app is brought to you in conjunction with the Year of Natural Scotland 2013 and includes: • Galleries of images from noted photographers showing Scotland’s diverse wildlife and landscapes. • Audio and video clips that allow you to ‘be there’. • Engaging text and seasonal information at your fingertips. • Guidance on where to see the wide range of featured species and habitats. This app is available for iPhone and iPad ***Please note, this app requires a wifi connection for initial download https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/scotlands-nature/id576873844?ls=1&mt=8&dm_i=1FWH,1BY1B,8EY8DX,4IE0Z,1 Thu, 7 Mar 07/03/2013 GMT http://www.west-highland-way.co.uk/newsarticle.asp?id=1258 Camping Byelaw East Loch Lomond New laws aimed at helping to protect the landscape in East Loch Lomond came into effect on 1 June 2011. It will be an offence to set up camp on the east side of the Loch in an area covering 9 miles between Drymen and Rowardennan, from the 1st March to the end of October every year outside designated camping sites. A new informal campsite operated by Forest Enterprises has been completede with composting toilets at Sallochy. Full information available on this link- http://www.lochlomond-trossachs.org/images/stories/Visiting/PDF/LochLomondCampBy.pdf Wed, 18 May 18/05/2011 GMT http://www.west-highland-way.co.uk/newsarticle.asp?id=1307 West Highland Way at Loch Lomond set for major upgrades Forestry Commission Scotland is gearing up to begin upgrading sections of the West Highland Way at Loch Lomond later this year. Forestry Commission Scotland is gearing up to begin upgrading sections of the West Highland Way at Loch Lomond later this year. The £750k project has secured funding from the Scottish Government’s ‘shovel ready’ fund and is due to commence in August. This is part of a wider, path upgrade project being carried out in partnership with Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority. One key element of the project will be to upgrade an unsafe section of the original shoreline route at Ptarmigan. Liz Shortall, for the Commission’s team in the area, said; “This is a major and long needed upgrade of some sections of the route that will make it an even more attractive and enjoyable proposition for visitors and walkers. “Making it more user friendly and improving the quality of the experience will encourage more people to speak positively about their visit, which will in turn bring more people to the route. This will help to secure its long-term future and be good for tourism and for those businesses catering for visitors and walkers. “It will also make it easier for us to carry out harvesting operations there over the next five to ten years. These will allow us to restore the site to native woodland and improve the forest landscape, structure and habitats. It will also protect the West Highland way from being damaged by windblow.” The project will include 5.0 km of upgrade to existing path at Ptarmigan, two new re-aligned sections and upgrades to the steps linking Balmaha to Conic hill and the steps at Strath Cashel. Work at Strath Cashel is already underway. “We’ll use a combination of machine and hand-built techniques and will do what we can in the way of enabling works that will help to minimise the impact of the works on the surrounding environment. “We’ll take care of any new way-marking required but at the end of this we’ll have a viable diversion that will take people away from the forest road to facilitate harvesting operations.” Mairi Bell, Tourism Manager for Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park said: “The National Park has already made substantial investment and improvements to Conic Hill and sections of the West Highland Way and we’re pleased that further work will be carried out by Forestry Commission Scotland. The importance the West Highland Way has in terms of economic and tourism benefits is clearly recognised by both partners and Scottish Government funding. We have over 80,000 people walking the route every year and these upgrades will enhance what is already a spectacular experience.” To keep up to date with progress on the upgrades and other news follow us at http://www.twitter.com/lodgeaberfoyle 20/05/13 Mon, 20 May 20/05/2013 GMT http://www.west-highland-way.co.uk/newsarticle.asp?id=1262 Farm animals Fields with farm animals Access rights extend to such fields, but remember that some animals, particularly cows with calves but also horses, pigs and farmed deer, can react aggressively towards people. Before entering a field, check to see what alternatives there are. If you are in a field of farm animals, keep a safe distance and watch them carefully. If you have a dog with you, see the guidance on dogs. Fields with young animals present You can avoid disturbing sheep close to lambing time, or young animals such as calves, lambs, foals and farmed deer, by going into a neighbouring field or onto adjacent land. If this is not possible, keep as far from the animals as possible. Do not take dogs into fields where there are young animals present. Unfenced grassland with farm animals You can exercise access rights over open pasture, country including the Scottish uplands and the common grazing land near many crofting communities in north-west Scotland. Keep a sensible distance from animals, particularly where there are calves or lambs present, and avoid separating a cow from her calf, or driving the animals over the land. Make sure that your dog does not chase or worry livestock by keeping it under close control or on a lead. Please refer to the Scottish Outdoor Acess Code for more information- http://www.outdooraccess-scotland.com/out-and-about/places/on-the-farm/ Sun, 6 Mar 06/03/2011 GMT http://www.west-highland-way.co.uk/newsarticle.asp?id=1299 Lambing on Conic Hill will take place from 10th April to 10th May inclusive. The through route will be open to walkers without dogs. There will be no through route for walkers with dogs over the hill . Walkers with their dogs will be able to reach the summit of Conic from the Balmaha side. The field (through which the WHW goes) immediately after the forestry section (Garadhban) and the two fields that flank it are used for lambing hence the no dogs at this time . The only safe alternative is to use the “alternative route” (as marked on most WHW maps) via Milton of Buchanan, along the road to Balmaha. Even mild household pets can cause serious injury or death to young animals so please avoid Conic Hill with your dog during the lambing season. Please also take care in fields with cows and calves, the natural instinct is to protect their young. Remember you are in their field so keep you dog under control, or avoid completely 12/03/2013 Tue, 3 Dec 03/12/2013 GMT http://www.west-highland-way.co.uk/newsarticle.asp?id=1293 Law Society issues guidance on right to roam and Scottish Outdoor Access Code The Law Society of Scotland has issued guidance on the rights and responsibilities of those visiting the Scottish countryside. The release focuses on the ‘right to roam’ and the Scottish Outdoor Access Code and Jim Drysdale, who sits on the Law Society of Scotland's Rural Affairs committee said “while we want to encourage people to get out and explore Scotland's fantastic landscape, it's important that people are respectful of those who live and work there and of course the land and wildlife that attracts thousands of visitors each year”. Wed, 18 Jul 18/07/2012 GMT