Latest news with #MountaineeringScotland
Daily Record
5 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Record
Windfarm schemes are a threat to Perthshire mountain landscape say outdoors group
The upland sites north of Comrie comprise 31 turbines with some as high as 200m – or three times the height of Stirling's Wallace Monument. Two controversial Perthshire windfarm schemes would intrude into the heartland of the Southern Highlands spoiling views for miles around according to Scotland's national mountaineering body. Perth-based Mountaineering Scotland is objecting to the proposed Glen Lednock and Glentarken windfarms on uplands around 600m high between Loch Tay and Loch Earn on the border of Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park. Combined they comprise 31 turbines with some as high as 200m – or three times the height of Stirling's Wallace Monument. The national body representing hillwalkers and climbers believes the neighbouring windfarms are a significant encroachment from the edges of the mountains into their interior. The windfarms would impact views from Munros (hills above 3000ft) and other popular hills from 25km or 15.5 miles away. In a recent objection to the Glen Lednock Windfarm Mountaineering Scotland chief executive Stuart Younie said: 'It would have a significantly adverse impact upon the visual amenity and overall experience of those visiting the many Munros, Corbetts (hills between 2500ft and 3000ft) and other notable hills that ring the proposed high-altitude site in this popular area and that of the climbers who visit the crags and boulders in Glen Lednock itself.' A decision to enable 'such visually intrusive development to enter the interior of the Southern Highlands should not be made lightly,' he added. The Glen Lednock scheme, Mountaineering Scotland said, should be considered alongside the adjacent plan submitted by energy giant SSE above Glentarken – comprising 12 turbines. Mr Younie said a Landscape Visual Impact Assessment (LVIA) ignores their cumulative impact. The visual impact from the Ben Lawers range to the north of the windfarms is described as 'substantial and not limited to the summits.' Other windfarms are seen towards the edge of the Southern Highlands, but the Glen Lednock Windfarm 'would appear unequivocally as being intrusively within the Southern Highlands.' It would be 'a major incursion' from the Munro Ben More and 'intrude directly and distractingly' in views from Munro Ben Vorlich across to Munro Ben Chonzie. A Low Carbon spokesperson said: 'Glen Lednock's submission has been written in accordance with Scottish Government guidance, including the agreement with relevant statutory consultees on a list of other developments for cumulative assessment. 'As standard practice the landscape and visual impacts will be assessed by relevant consultees both on a standalone and cumulative basis.' The PA contacted Perth-headquartered SSE for comment.
The Herald Scotland
22-07-2025
- Health
- The Herald Scotland
Scots lab says tick testing enquiries have doubled this year
Biobest scientists detect the presence of the bacteria by carrying out molecular analyses of ticks removed from people and animals. DNA is extracted from the tick, which is then tested for the presence of Borrelia. A positive or negative result is generated. Ticks can carry diseases and bacterial infections. (Image: Getty) Chief Operations Officer Stuart Marshall said the risk of being bitten by a tick increases during the summer months. 'People enjoying the outdoors over the summer holidays are more at risk of being bitten if taking part in activities such as hiking, cycling or camping,' Marshall said. 'However, people can also be exposed to ticks while on a walk in some urban parks and gardens." Symptoms of untreated tick bites can include facial palsy, joint pain, heart palpitations, and short-term memory loss. Marshall added: 'Most people will not realise they have been bitten at the time and will only realise when they see a tick embedded in their skin, or when a 'bullseye' rash develops weeks later. 'A positive result from our test does not mean the individual will definitely go on to develop Lyme disease, but it does show the causative agent is present. This allows discussion with the individual's GP to enable early preventative treatment.' If you find a tick on their body, remove it using fine tip tweezers. Clean the area with soap or antiseptic, and monitor for signs of illness. Do not use alcohol, petroleum jelly, match end, or cigarette end to extract the insect. Stuart Marshall is COO of Biobest. (Image: Biobest) People are encouraged to speak to their GP practice if they may have been bitten by a tick and have a pink or red rash, a temperature of 38C or higher, flu-like symptoms, and swollen lymph nodes. According to Mountaineering Scotland, hill climbers should avoid walking though areas with high grass and cover all exposed skin on legs and arms. People should check themselves for ticks upon returning home, especially in concealed spaces such as the groin, navel, arm pits, between toes, and behind the ears. Mountaineering Scotland's website states: 'Although ticks were once regarded as nothing more than a bloodthirsty nuisance, the increasing prevalence of Lyme Disease and its potentially long-lasting effects means we all need to be much more aware of how to avoid them, safely remove them and the signs and symptoms of tick-borne disease.' Biobest's Marshall went on to say: 'With the warmer weather and the approach of the school holidays, many of us will be spending more time outside and this increases risk of exposure to a booming tick population. 'In the UK, bites are most commonly acquired when walking in woodland and heathland areas, with ticks most prevalent in southern England and the Scottish Highlands. 'There is much more awareness of Lyme disease and we are seeing an increase in sample numbers and we're receiving more and more enquiries. We can test to see if the tick carries the causative agent for Lyme disease in humans so they can have a discussion with their GP as early as possible.' Read more: Why does everyone seem to hate Maggie Chapman? 'Long overdue': Scottish young people weigh in on lowering of voting age Smoked salmon, Irn-Bru bhajis and micro herbs: What's on the menu at Bute House? Charities have previously warned that ticks could thrive year round due to climate change. The insects are typically active between early spring and late autumn, but milder winters could see the timeframe increased. "We are seeing cases of Lyme disease in Scotland in the winter months, as the winter season is milder than a decade ago," Prof John Lambert, of Fife-based Lyme Resource Centre, told the BBC in 2022. "We are getting more reports of increased numbers of ticks and people presenting with signs and symptoms of Lyme disease outside the classic time ticks are active." In 2023, after reports of a possible human case of tick-borne encephalitis in Loch Earn, Dr Nick Phin, Director of Public Health Science and Medical Director at Public Health Scotland, said: 'We would encourage everyone to familiarise themselves with the steps we can all take to avoid bugs and germs outdoors. 'Being tick aware, trying to avoid being bitten by ticks and removing any ticks that do bite as quickly as possible, are all important precautions.'
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Warning after walkers become sick from drinking river water
Some walkers tackling the West Highland Way have become unwell after drinking water from rivers, according to National Trust for Scotland (NTS) rangers. They said at least nine hikers had suffered vomiting and diarrhoea while walking the popular long-distance route over the past month. The rangers said the people had drunk water from rivers near Balmaha, a village on the shores of Loch Lomond. Three of them had taken water from The Burn of Mar, and rangers warned that there were farm animals upstream in the area. More stories from Glasgow & West Scotland More stories from Scotland In a post on social media, the NTS staff said the hikers' symptoms had only lasted a day or two. Those affected had filtered the water first, but rangers advised that boiling the water was a safer method. They warned there were "lots of livestock" upstream of The Burn of Mar. A NTS spokesperson said: "We encourage anyone drinking from a natural water source outdoors to boil the water first to make it as safe to drink as possible." The area is within Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. The park authority recommends that people carry their own treated water to stay safely hydrated. A spokesperson said: "While Scotland's burns and lochs may look pristine, they can carry invisible risks when used as a water source. "If you absolutely must drink from a natural water source when outdoors, it's essential to boil the water first to make it as safe to drink as possible." The West Highland Way starts in Milngavie, near Glasgow, and then winds its way north for 96 miles (154 km) to Fort William in the Highlands. The route's website has a list of the locations of Scottish Water Top Up taps along the way, as well as details on where other provisions are available. Tens of thousands of people travel the West Highland Way every year. The route was established 45 years ago and follows old cattle drover routes and 18th Century military roads. The journey takes in the eastern shores of Loch Lomond, crosses the sprawling Rannoch Moor, and up the zig-zag ascent of the Devil's Staircase footpath in Glen Coe, before reaching its final destination in Lochaber. Walking the whole route often takes up to a week, while some people have completed it in shorter times by running or cycling. Mountaineering Scotland, an organisation representing the interests of walkers and other outdoor activity enthusiasts, said people should take precautions around drinking from burns and rivers. A spokesperson said: "In general, being in the Scottish mountains at higher levels above human habitation, the water is safe to drink. "But there are some key rules to bear in mind. "It is recommended only to take water from a flowing stream rather than still water, away from paths and people and to avoid sources that are obviously muddy or near or downstream from livestock or where people are camping. "Boiling water is the most reliable way to ensure it is safe to drink, and there are various filtering equipment on the market, although performance and longevity is determined by a number of factors." The boy who cycled the West Highland Way in 25 hours The long journey of the West Highland Way OAP completes 95-mile ultramarathon
