Woman hiker on the rocky summit of Ben Starav with Loch Etive behind under cloudy skies

Three walkers heading downhill off a mountain with a range of mountains beyond

Group of people sitting around a woodburning stove in a mountaineering club hut

Man walking across a rocky mountain summit plateau with more mountains beyond

What a great trip to Glen Etive! The weekend started wet but we still enjoyed the hills, incl Ben Starav, Glas Bheinn Mhor, Beinn Trilleachan & Buachaille Etive Beag. Appreciated the cosy hut at Inbhirfhaolain to dry out afterwards!
Next trip 15-18 May to Ballachulish. We welcome new members!

Am mountain stream rushing downhill over rocks, under cloudy skies

A grassy mountain ridge with the remains if a snowy cornice on one side, distant lochs visible under low cloud.

A white stone building among trees with a mountain behind and two people chatting outside Two cars also parked outside.

Me standing in waterproofs on a grassy hill with a view of forestry and mountains behind, blue skies above

Always enjoy trips away with @redropescot.bsky.social but Glen Etive was a wee bit wet last weekend, especially underfoot. At least we finally got some amazing views and sunshine! Climbed Glas Bheinn Mhór and Beinn Trillichean.

Panorama of snowy mountains with forestry below, Glen Etive

Two hikers in red jackets on a rocky mountain summit

Woman standing looking at the view from a mountain summit plateau, with the remains of a large snowy cornice in front of her

Woman sitting on a mountain summit with Loch Etive beyond

Looking forward to our next trip to Glen Etive, 17-19 April. We've been there regularly over the years, it's a great area to explore.

We're always keen to get new members, why not contact us to find out about our monthly weekends away and monthly day walks? Email scotland[at]redrope.org.uk

Three hikers heading down a gentle slope on a Scottish hillside, more mountains beyond in the distance.

Man and a dog on a rocky mountain summit.

Woman hiker on a grassy mountain summit with more mountains behind, bit of snow remaining.

Hiker climbing up a snow patch on a Scottish mountain.

We had a great trip to Killin in March. Good weather, good food and good chat. The Munros Sgiath Chuil, Meall Glas, Meall Ghaordaidh and Meall nan Tarmachan all climbed and enjoyed. Our next trip in April is to Glen Etive.

Enjoyed my walk yesterday with @redropescot.bsky.social exploring parts of Edinburgh I didn't know too well. Great company but very mixed weather!

Please join us on our next walk on Sunday 29th March in Edinburgh, exploring this wonderful city's green spaces - more information below.

Red Rope's walk from Holyrood to The Drum, Gilmerton - Sunday 29 March 2026 TO RESERVE YOUR PLACE & TO LET US KNOW HOW MANY TO EXPECT add some details to the form. It does not commit you to attending but completing the form is taken to mean that you have read the description ...

Our next day walk on Sunday 29 March is another amazing green walking route from the Royal Mile to Drum House in Gilmerton, barely touching a road.
All welcome, including non-members.
To register and for more info see:
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

Group using ice axes and crampons on snowy slope

It's absolutely full on winter conditions out there if you are heading to Scotland's mountains - and that means you need to carry and know how to use an ice-axe and crampons. If you don't, either choose a walk at lower levels, wait for the snows to melt before tackling the summits...

Group of hikers on a snowy hill looking at a view of rolling hills

Four walkers on a snowy hill summit walking away from the camera towards a hazy sun

Two walkers in waterproofs on a muddy, grassy coastal hillside with sea cliffs beyond.

A weekend of two halves - a sparkling Cheviot winter wonderland on Saturday and a cloudy St Abbs on Sunday. Staying at Wooler youth hostel, this was a new area to explore for the club.
We have monthly weekend trips, off to Killin in March, and new members always welcome!

Two walkers heading up a path in woodland, leaves on the ground.

We're heading back to Midlothian for our next walk, on Sunday 22 February. Gorebridge circular via Vogrie Country Park, Crichton & Borthwick castles and along the Gore Water. All welcome including non-members, more info and register here: forms.gle/3yBXM7y4MJ58...

Two walkers heading up a path in woodland, leaves on the ground.

We're heading back to Midlothian for our next walk, on Sunday 22 February. Gorebridge circular via Vogrie Country Park, Crichton & Borthwick castles and along the Gore Water. All welcome including non-members, more info and register here: forms.gle/3yBXM7y4MJ58...

Scotland’s 'world-class' outdoor access laws at risk, Ramblers warn RAMBLERS Scotland has warned that Scotland’s outdoor access laws, seen as one of the “stand-out achievements” of devolution, are being pushed…

"Scotland’s international reputation as a pioneer of outdoor access is in danger of becoming a hollow boast, unless politicians act.” - Our director @bjpaddy.bsky.social.

We're urging candidates in May's Holyrood election to commit to a £50million Scottish Paths Fund in the next 5-year parliament.👍

Seven sacks of dead Pheasants dumped by side of road in South Lanarkshire Seven sacks of dead Pheasants have been dumped by the side of the road at two locations (3km apart) near Stonehouse, South Lanarkshire earlier this month (many thanks to the blog reader who sent in…

Seven sacks of dead Pheasants dumped by side of road in S Lanarkshire.

Dodgy ethics aside, no need to worry about the mandatory biosecurity measures that everyone, including gamebird shoot managers, are supposed to comply with, eh? #AvianFlu

New blog ⬇️

raptorpersecutionuk.org/2026/01/26/s...

Four walkers on a path through woodland in winter, leaves on the ground and a holly tree by the path

Four people on a narrow path along the ridge of a hill amongst bare trees

A group of people reading an interpretation board in a clearing in a wood

Two groups each of two people heading up a path in woodland.

We enjoyed a lovely walk yesterday through the wooded glens of Midlothian - parts of Bilston, North Esk and Roslin. We kept out of the chilly wind and learned some local history! We do a walk near Edinburgh on the last Sunday of each month. All welcome!

Well worth chipping in to support Walkhighlands.
We love the app, especially as we’re often staying in places with no signal on weekend trips. It’s a great help to be able to download routes at home then use them to plan our day on the hills.

Woman hiker standing next to a stone memorial and a bench in woodland.

Made my first visit to the site of the Craigallion fire today.
A perfect excuse to share this lovely article about the history of the place by David Lintern on @walkhighlands.co.uk. All of us who enjoy the outdoors in Scotland should know about this history.
www.walkhighlands.co.uk/news/the-fir...

Red Rope's walk from Loanhead, through Polton to Bilston Glen on Sunday 25 January 2026 TO RESERVE YOUR PLACE & TO LET US KNOW HOW MANY TO EXPECT add some details to the form. It does not commit you to attending but completing the form is taken to mean that you have read the description ...

Our first day walk of 2026 is on Sunday 25 January.

Non-members are welcome!

Join us in Midlothian on a wander from Loanhead to Bilston Glen via Polton. Approx 5 miles walking. More details and sign up here: forms.gle/Rf9MqqHAWUMy...

The destruction at Tinto - will the landowner get off Scot free? - parkswatchscotland Following my recent post on the landscape destruction at Tinto (see here), I wrote to the local office of NatureScot and have had a very helpful response.  Staff confirmed that they had visited the si...

Having campaigned for years to get planning controls over hilltracks (via @scotlink.bsky.social when I worked for @ramblersscotland.bsky.social), it's galling to see unauthorised & damaging tracks still being built. Here at Tinto, hardly a remote location!
parkswatchscotland.co.uk/2026/01/18/t...

Love going away on these Red Rope trips!
I'm pretty sure I would've stayed at home given the poor weather forecast last weekend. But the commitment got me out - and up my first mountain of 2026.

A build up of snow along a burn on a grassy mountain, three walkers in cloud in the distance

Two walkers resting on the way up a snowy mountain side, in thick mist

Three hikers heading up a steep grassy hill with mountains behind in the cloud, just tipped with snow

Three walkers on a riverside path through a woodland, trees covered in lichen

A great start to 2026 with a weekend trip to Crianlarich. Members walked part of the West Highland Way, went cycling, climbed the Corbett Beinn Chuirn & explored Comrie's woodlands en route home.
We are away each month, why not join us? Non-members welcome! Email scotland[at]redrope.org.uk for info

Three people climbing a grassy hill above a highland glen with a river running through it. Cloudy skies.

A woman standing on a snowy mountain summit in thick cloud.

Below the clouds and inside the clouds yesterday, two different worlds.
Climbing the Corbett Beinn Chuirn from Glen Cononish on a great @redropescot.bsky.social trip.

The Traitors Is Fake Scotland at Its Worst | Adam Ramsay Britain’s most-watched TV show takes place in a castle built by an opium trader surrounded by destructive non-native pine plantations. This is Scotland without Scots, writes Adam Ramsay - and English ...

'The Traitors' is Fake Scotland at its Worst | Adam Ramsay for Novara Media.
#PublicDisserviceBroadcasting

The global climate stripes for 2025. Vertical stripes in varying shades of blue transitioning to light blue and then to red tones on the right side. The latest stripe is dark red, depicting the urgent need for climate action.

2025 adds another dark red stripe to the climate stripes

New data confirms Earth’s third-warmest year on record, and 11th warmest year in a row.

Created by Prof Ed Hawkins, the 2025 stripes reflect a century of climate science and provide a clear call for climate action.

👉 https://rdg.ac/4sGfjPX

Red Rope's walk from Loanhead, through Polton to Bilston Glen on Sunday 25 January 2026 TO RESERVE YOUR PLACE & TO LET US KNOW HOW MANY TO EXPECT add some details to the form. It does not commit you to attending but completing the form is taken to mean that you have read the description ...

Our first day walk of 2026 is on Sunday 25 January.

Non-members are welcome!

Join us in Midlothian on a wander from Loanhead to Bilston Glen via Polton. Approx 5 miles walking. More details and sign up here: forms.gle/Rf9MqqHAWUMy...

Two hikers walking on a wet track along a glen, with cloudy skies ahead over mountains.

We're ready for 2026 with a new programme of weekend trips each month! First trip 16-18 Jan is to Crianlarich. Our last visit was Dec '24 and it was a bit dreich, but we had a good time! Train to Bridge of Orchy & back on West Highland Way.
Why not join us in 2026? Email scotland[at]redrope.org.uk

Will 2026 be the year when the Scottish Government say enough is enough and transfer responsibility for Holyrood Park away from Historic and Environment Scotland or will they let the failed mismanagement continue? parkswatchscotland.co.uk/2026/01/02/h...

A moon in the night sky reflected across the Firth of Forth with a pine tree in silhouette in the foreground

Selfie of 5 walkers, moon rising over trees and the Firth of Forth behind them

What a moon! A few of our members set off to walk back to Edinburgh from South Queensferry yesterday evening, enjoying great view of the Wolf Moon as it rose across the water.

HES's attempt to use the planning system to legitimise the closure of the Radical Rd could rebound - parkswatchscotland On 3rd December Historic Environment Scotland (HES) submitted a planning application (see here) to the City of Edinburgh Council which includes a proposal to erect a new “temporary” barrier across the...

Latest on the 7-year Radical Road closure. Deadline to comment on an application for permanent fencing is 13 Jan. Hopefully @ramblersscotland.bsky.social is on the case - and anyone else who is fed up with this blocked historic path in Holyrood Park
parkswatchscotland.co.uk/2026/01/02/h...

Thanks for coming - and thanks for all you do to keep the walkway maintained and litter-free!

Lovely walk today from Balerno to Saughton Park with @redropescot.bsky.social. It was strange to be walking along the path without collecting litter as I often do with @wolct.bsky.social.