Posts for November, 2021

Our guided Highland winter walking week is a great way of experiencing some of the best Scottish Munros.

The week starts in the Cairngorms with a day of winter skills training, looking at winter planning, equipment and practical skills such as crampon and ice axe use and ice axe arresting. On the second and third day we will attempt to tackle some of the highest mountains in the UK, such as Ben Macdui and Cairngorm itself.

On the fourth day we have a scheduled rest day on which people can spend time traveling from the Cairngorms to Lochaber/Fort William. Along the way there are various tourist attractions and tours which can be used to rest and relax, such as a distillery tour.

The final part of the week starts with an attempt to climb Ben Nevis, at 1345m the highest mountain in the UK, then on the last day a shorter mountain walk to round off the week before everyone travels home.

Day 1 Cairngorms Skills

Day 2 Cairngorm Summit

Day 3 Cairngorm Summit

Day 4 Rest/Travel Day

Day 5 West Coast Summit

Day 6 West Coast Summit

A degree of flexibility is important in winter, so this plan is subject to change based on weather and conditions during the week.

Join the Warden for this special tour, where you will get up close and personal with the wonderful waders and wildfowl that spend the winter on Insh Marshes!

– Experience parts of the site not normally open to visitors

– Find out more about our winter residents, including whooper swans, geese and goldeneye, and learn some ID hints and tips

– Learn about the maintenance of our wetland habitat and future plans for the reserve

This will be a walking tour (approximately 3 miles) and will go through rough ground which may be muddy, so sturdy boots or wellies are essential. Please also make sure you have suitable warm, waterproof clothing. We will stop for lunch out on the reserve, so please come prepared with a packed lunch and drinks. All levels of knowledge and experience are welcome.

Numbers are strictly limited and pre-booking is essential. Suitable for age 12+; children must be accompanied by an adult.

Do you have what it takes to be a red squirrel? Drop in, self-led event aimed at family groups. Follow the marked trail and see if you can solve all of the questions and complete the course. Event venue: Ralia Woods, Newtonmore. Park at Ralia café car park. Post code: PH20 1BD. Grid Ref: NN698967. Distance approx. 0.5km or so. Some rough ground and a steep slope. No unaccompanied children please.

Join this regular local High Life Highland Countryside Rangers green health walk and help reconnect with the natural world. Enjoy some leisurely exercise, friendly company, great views, and fresh air. Different theme each walk – you choose?! All of our ‘short walks into nature’ series are generally flat, approximately an hour or so in length and suitable for all abilities and levels of fitness. Please disclose to your local ranger any medical or additional support needs you may have prior to the walk. Good dogs very welcome. Over 18’s only please. Booking essential 24 hours beforehand using the booking reference number: 004188GRAN

Do you have what it takes to be a bat? Drop in, self-led event aimed at family groups. Follow the marked trail and see if you can answer the questions and complete the course. Event venue: Loch Imrich, Newtonmore. Meet at the Golf Course Road entrance to the site to collect your pack. Postcode: PH20 1DL. Grid ref: NN718992. No unaccompanied children please.

Bats are truly fascinating creatures and our only flying mammal. Come along and find out what bats eat, where they live and other interesting facts about these wonderful creatures as we wander through Grantown-on-Spey.
As with all ranger walks we will be enjoying fresh air, company and wildlife sights and sounds. There is some rough ground by the riverside. Families, adults and good dogs welcome! No unaccompanied children. Booking essential 24 hours beforehand.
It costs £9.73 per visitor to operate our Countryside Ranger Service. We make no charge for this event but we rely on your donations to help us protect our Highland wildlife and heritage.

Explore the gorgeous Criagellachie National Nature Reserve on foot with your High Life Countryside Ranger.

Activity Description Join this regular local High Life Highland Countryside Rangers green health walk and help reconnect with the natural world. Enjoy some leisurely exercise, friendly company, great views, and fresh air. Different theme each walk – you choose?! All of our ‘short walks into nature’ series are generally flat, approximately an hour or so in length and suitable for all abilities and levels of fitness. Please disclose to your local ranger any medical or additional support needs you may have prior to the walk. Good dogs very welcome. Over 18’s only please. Booking essential 24 hours beforehand using booking reference number: 004184KING

Join this regular local High Life Highland Countryside Rangers green health walk and help reconnect with the natural world. Enjoy some leisurely exercise, friendly company, great views, and fresh air. Different theme each walk – you choose?! All of our ‘short walks into nature’ series are generally flat, approximately an hour or so in length and suitable for all abilities and levels of fitness. Please disclose to your local ranger any medical or additional support needs you may have prior to the walk. Good dogs very welcome. Over 18’s only please.
Booking essential 24 hours beforehand using reference number: 004183GRAN
It costs £9.73 per visitor to operate our Countryside Ranger Service. We make no charge for this event but we rely on your donations to help us protect our Highland wildlife and heritage

Come and join us to learn how to make cool shelters from natural materials. This is great fun and a useful survival skill!

Booking Information

Best for age 5 and up.

Children must be accompanied.

No charge but donations welcome on the day.

Journey sticks are a type of ‘map’ which helps tell the story of where you have been and what you saw along the way. Join the ranger for this fun, gentle-paced activity and make your own journey stick.

Booking Information

Best for age 4 and up.

Children must be accompanied.

The event is free but donations welcome on the day.