tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39884397131623285722012-02-26T17:29:30.271ZNews from the Hills from Upland Access LtdWelcome to our News and Views updates.
Upland Access Ltd are the Mountain Footpath specialists and specialise in mountain footpath repairs, construction, and maintenance.Matt McChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12027066307884312402noreply@blogger.comBlogger311100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3988439713162328572.post-41495776478397018162012-02-26T12:09:00.000Z2012-02-26T12:11:50.149ZNorth Berwick Law with BTCV
It was a quick change over from the West Coast to the East coast of Scotland where I found myself lending a hand at North Berwick Law, the most prominent landmark in the surrounding area of North Berwick. BTCV Scotland and their volunteers are undertaking some pathwork on the hill and it was my privilege to help out for the week. It was inspiring seeing their volunteers in action and the Matt McChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12027066307884312402noreply@blogger.com0North Berwick Law56.04872195500086 -2.71319389343261756.01324995500086 -2.792157893432617 56.084193955000856 -2.634229893432617tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3988439713162328572.post-64570127819463915002012-02-26T11:42:00.000Z2012-02-26T12:13:02.327ZTug of War with some big stones.Still working in Argyll with the Forestry Commission. Our task is to replace some steps with something a wee bit more robust. This has involved lowering stones down a steep gully either by a Tirfor manual winch or by belaying out a cable in the old fashioned way. Regardless, very hard work as some of the stones are in excess of a 100kg.
Matt McChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12027066307884312402noreply@blogger.com0B841, Lochgilphead, Argyll and Bute PA31, UK56.05837972601591 -5.50045967102050856.056163226015904 -5.505395171020508 56.06059622601591 -5.495524171020508tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3988439713162328572.post-12952289734354725792012-01-26T14:12:00.001Z2012-02-26T12:13:52.404ZMore pictures from the West Coast
More photos from our winter contract with the Forestry Commission in Knapdale, West ArgyllMatt McChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12027066307884312402noreply@blogger.com0B8025, Lochgilphead, Argyll and Bute PA31, UK56.05066328927058 -5.56303024291992256.04179728927058 -5.582771242919922 56.05952928927058 -5.543289242919922tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3988439713162328572.post-44969105672520566942012-01-26T14:05:00.001Z2012-02-26T12:14:27.911ZHelping the Beavers out
The crew have started to get into the swing of things again after our winter break and have started work on our new site in Knapdale near Lochgilphead. Installing a gravel path and stonework on the lochside at Loch Coille Bharr, where a family of Beavers have been introduced and has created an increase in foot traffic round the now muddy path- people traffic as well as beaver traffic. This is Matt McChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12027066307884312402noreply@blogger.com0B8025, Lochgilphead, Argyll and Bute PA31, UK56.05085502068729 -5.56217193603515656.04198902068729 -5.581912936035156 56.059721020687284 -5.5424309360351565tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3988439713162328572.post-9695529716337982011-12-27T12:47:00.001Z2011-12-27T12:47:44.507ZHols!The crew from Upland Accesss are on a well earned break and they will need it as next year is promising to be just as busy as this year, which is really great newswishing everyone a good new year and all the best for 2012Sent from my HTCMatt McChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12027066307884312402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3988439713162328572.post-62872245299026922702011-12-09T11:39:00.000Z2011-12-09T11:39:44.080ZWorking with a 2000 year old colleague at CrinanWe had the privilege of working on a 2000 year old site at the top of the Crinan Walk in Knapdale district near Lochgilphead. Great care was taken to build stonework that tied in with a Dounie - a stone fort- that was build by someone like us but a few years sooner.
Matt McChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12027066307884312402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3988439713162328572.post-5414283617186006022011-11-23T11:44:00.000Z2011-11-23T11:44:23.519Z
Recent Helicopter Lift for the Forestry Commission in Knapdale, Argyll at the Crinan walk.Matt McChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12027066307884312402noreply@blogger.com0Argyll and Bute, UK56.083339864526025 -5.59083976098634155.36792936452603 -6.865117760986341 56.79875036452602 -4.316561760986342tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3988439713162328572.post-10204363484857946122011-10-28T16:12:00.000+01:002011-10-28T16:12:51.360+01:00On going works- Path MaintenanceWe have a couple of stints of Path Maintenance ahead of us- as long as the weather holds. Schiehallion for the Johm Muir Trust and the hills in the Angus Glens, Loch Brandy, Corrie Fee and Mount KeenMatt McChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12027066307884312402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3988439713162328572.post-68777741600466086142011-10-19T09:41:00.000+01:002011-10-19T09:41:15.270+01:00Winter AppoachingWe are in our last week at Bynack More, working at about 3000ft in the RSPB estate of Abernethy in the Cairngorms. But winter is fast approaching and its natures way of telling us to start heading to lower areas for the winter. Will we heed nature? Watch this space!Matt McChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12027066307884312402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3988439713162328572.post-63348191661735966412011-09-16T17:43:00.000+01:002011-09-16T17:43:32.276+01:00Joe's Bloggs !Read a day in the life of a hill navvy as seen from the point of view of Joe's BootsMatt McChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12027066307884312402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3988439713162328572.post-66936001913150872602011-09-16T02:01:00.001+01:002011-09-16T02:01:43.652+01:00Showing our work on FlickerStone Benches, Bennachie Totem Pole, a photo by uplandaccess on Flickr.Thought it was a good time to share some of our work and also some of our views to a wider audience.Matt McChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12027066307884312402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3988439713162328572.post-85427637338280666502011-09-15T12:17:00.000+01:002011-09-15T12:17:42.844+01:00Path Maintenance at ScheihallionUpland Access Ltd gets a mention at JMT
Our team has recently carried out essential path maintenance for the John Muir Trust at Schiehallion. This entailed essential landscape and stonework and we were pleased to have this opportunity to work with JMT.Matt McChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12027066307884312402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3988439713162328572.post-13142144249191885992011-09-12T14:39:00.000+01:002011-09-12T14:39:41.648+01:00High Winds Expected!!Matt McChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12027066307884312402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3988439713162328572.post-2198976011066733932011-09-03T10:03:00.000+01:002011-09-03T10:03:33.944+01:00Cairngorm Maintenance Program - Last week of 2011Our client- Cairngorm Outdoor Access Trust
Our teams have completed this years Cairngorm Maintenance program that has seen them working on the constructed paths and trails from Lochnagar in Deeside through to the hill trails of Mar Lodge including Beinn Macdui and then over to Cairngorm Mountain and primarily Coire an Sneachda. This comprehensive maintenance regime has seen our guys walk Matt McChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12027066307884312402noreply@blogger.com0The Cairngorms National Park, Highland PH22 1, UK57.13935744862885 -3.677432520019465356.80710644862885 -4.516118020019466 57.47160844862885 -2.8387470200194653tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3988439713162328572.post-21805263890530173102011-08-21T10:27:00.000+01:002011-08-21T10:27:30.723+01:00Approach to Beinn MacduiThis years part of the Beinn Macdui approach -path definition project , is coming to an end. We have worked in August improving the pathline to encourage more hill users to use a single line, hopefully to help the neighbouring vegetation recover.Matt McChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12027066307884312402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3988439713162328572.post-33508031555205704332011-06-23T13:22:00.000+01:002011-06-23T13:23:16.256+01:00Path? What path? This picture was taken from the plateau between Cairngorm and Pt. 1141. If you look closely you can make out the start of the path but as it steepens it soon disappears from sight. Great for reducing aesthetic impact, not so good for picking a route up the hill side! Matt McChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12027066307884312402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3988439713162328572.post-46733065369582719452011-06-18T21:13:00.001+01:002011-06-18T21:13:54.456+01:00 The path up the Western Approach to Cairngorm isn't really a path, in fact before we arrived it was just a hill side suffering with massive erosion problems and widespread vegetation loss due to all those walkers wandering up, down and across it's flanks without any direction. Our mission, as we chose to accept it was to create not a path but a route up the hillside that was more desirable Matt McChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12027066307884312402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3988439713162328572.post-53018856066577552862011-05-27T13:50:00.001+01:002011-05-27T14:03:51.453+01:00Its May in the Cairngorms- Snow and Wind!just to give an idea of the elements we have to endure !...
Matt McChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12027066307884312402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3988439713162328572.post-85027098619015016182011-05-09T23:17:00.000+01:002011-05-09T23:33:43.771+01:00Work Starts at Cairngorm MountainUpland Access has now started the challenging project of the path definition of the Cairngorm Summit to Point 1141. As you can see, this is at 3600ft approx with no clear route and a wide damage zone. The site is very exposed, often in the clouds with high winds. This project should last to June in its initial stage.Matt McChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12027066307884312402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3988439713162328572.post-30827818436863770302011-04-20T18:02:00.000+01:002011-04-20T18:10:43.544+01:00Rare sighting of CapercaillePriviliged! A close up view of Scotlands iconic bird,- very proud and aggressive.Matt McChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12027066307884312402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3988439713162328572.post-67721457067387043492011-03-07T09:32:00.000Z2011-03-07T09:32:22.301ZWe are recruiting Upland Footpath workers.Upland Access Ltd are currently looking to recruit Upland Pathworkers for the summer 2011. Full details can be found on our Job Opportunities page.Matt McChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12027066307884312402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3988439713162328572.post-92147128125176197602011-02-27T07:40:00.000Z2011-02-27T07:51:02.818ZDuncans welly get "georged!"Matt McChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12027066307884312402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3988439713162328572.post-30965918533415282652011-02-17T13:39:00.000Z2011-02-17T13:58:30.624ZRothiemurchus Feb 2011View from Lairig Ghru site with work started but still battling the elements.Matt McChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12027066307884312402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3988439713162328572.post-56427059054644572342011-02-08T10:52:00.000Z2011-02-08T10:58:45.067ZLairig ghru blues!After finishing our projects at Lanark and Lochgilphead we tried to start back in the Cairngorms. Despite the relative low level of the Lairig Ghru the weather has dictated our output today. When will we get a break we ask.?Matt McChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12027066307884312402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3988439713162328572.post-18298671108008747252011-01-18T22:42:00.000Z2011-01-18T22:51:45.882ZUpper Crinan walk work startsThe Dounie section of the Crinan walk is being upgraded by fixing some weak and soft parts of the path and replacing boardwalk with gravel. Heres a view from the top of the hill.Matt McChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12027066307884312402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3988439713162328572.post-11382057230941872722010-12-15T09:43:00.000Z2010-12-15T10:01:34.845ZPaul and Gordon get xmas dinner sorted!Matt McChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12027066307884312402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3988439713162328572.post-46839644350604055892010-12-14T09:33:00.000Z2010-12-14T09:45:38.579ZRescue missionStart of the recovery of some of our gear before the winter really bitesMatt McChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12027066307884312402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3988439713162328572.post-18480959765842922032010-12-09T17:55:00.000Z2010-12-09T19:40:57.885ZStill snow goStill no sign of the great thaw, so it looks like we will not be working now til after the new year. Next week we have the intrepid job of rescuing some of our tools from the snowbound hills.Matt McChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12027066307884312402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3988439713162328572.post-66707783405773113752010-12-09T12:20:00.000Z2010-12-09T14:31:37.123ZLoch EtchachanThis is a view to loch etchachan taken in Oct 2010 when we carried out our maintenance run of the paths in Mar Lodge as part of the Cairngorm Maintenance Program 2010Matt McChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12027066307884312402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3988439713162328572.post-49984728032167748122010-12-07T16:47:00.001Z2010-12-07T16:47:33.234Z2011 is shaping up to be a good one aka Trying to stay positive.Their are signs that next year will be a good one with a few jobs in the bag and an optimism we will win more. Next year should see us in Lanark, Lochgilphead, and the Cairngorms again- if all goes well with the weather and tendering. We will hope to recruit in the new year once we clear our feet of the sna’.Matt McChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12027066307884312402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3988439713162328572.post-12420603554625811572010-12-07T16:42:00.000Z2010-12-07T16:42:34.772ZEvery SNOW cloud has a silver liningSo we are now going into the third week of disruptions to our well oiled machine that is the Hill Navvies of Upland Access. The early winter has put all of us out of kilter and its no consolation that no one else in the mountain footpath trade is doing anything either. But when I hear in the news about cars being stuck on the M8 and people trapped for 18 hours I feel pretty guilty.There’s a Matt McChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12027066307884312402noreply@blogger.com0