Rangers to patrol hills and beauty spots as visitors head for countryside

An influx of visitors is expected to some of the north and north-east’s most remote and scenic locations this weekend, including the Cairngorms.

In response, extra countryside rangers will be at the more popular hills and walking routes.

Heather Morning, of Mountaineering Scotland, is based in the Cairngorms and told Good Morning Scotland: “We are really excited about the hills opening up again for our members and the wider public.

“I would encourage everyone to go out into the great outdoors as it brings huge benefits, both physically and mentally, but with that comes big responsibility for ourselves and others and the world around us.

“You need to be responsible as individuals so you don’t get in trouble in the high mountains as there is still quite a bit of old snow there, especially in the north-facing slopes high up and in the mornings it’s still really freezing overnight, so make sure you check the weather forecast.”

This weekend will be the first time this year people can leave their council areas for recreation.

The Cairngorms is a popular destination for hillwalkers, but Ms Morning urged visitors to be cautious if they are attacking a hill for the first time in months.

She said: “If you have not been up a mountain for a long time and it’s a hot day, and you perhaps have some extra lockdown weight, it will be more challenging for you so take a lower hill, a rounded one, have a look at the Walk Highlands website for some ideas.

“There will be some real pressure on the hotspots with some real parking issues as well, so think outside the box a bit, have some ideas of where to go, take it quite slowly and take a shorter or lower route than 18 months ago when you would have been happy to go bag some Munros.”

No overnight stays are permitted at the moment, so wild camping is banned and accommodation is shut.

Most toilets near walking routes will also be closed.

Ms Morning said: “We all get caught out in the mountains; when you poo please have a think about where you do it.

“Get right off-track, well away from everyone, maybe in some long vegetation somewhere and away from a watercourse.

“Dig yourself a hole using a boot, make sure you cover it up afterward, you don’t need to use loo roll, we spend our whole lives seeing loo rolls scattered around the tracks, it looks awful, moss is a great alternative, and is very environmentally friendly.”

To manage the influx of visitors, traffic management is being put in place at Linn of Dee and Glen Muick once the car parks have become full. No-entry signs will be installed and staff will be present, and vehicles will be allowed entry on a one in, one out basis.