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Hillphones
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August 06 Hillphones was set up in 1996 by
Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) and the Mountaineering Council of
Scotland (MCofS) and now covers 16 areas around Scotland, including 92
of Scotland’s Munros and 34 Corbetts (mountains between 2500 and 3000
feet), as well as many other hills. In 2005 around 2750 calls were made
to Hillphones. During the stag stalking season from 1 July to 20
October, participating estates provide regularly updated answerphone
messages for walkers detailing which areas will be affected by stalking.
This helps walkers to find alternative routes to minimise the risk of
disturbing red deer stalking, which is an important source of income for
rural areas. Dougal Roy at the Mountaineering Council of Scotland said: "The MCofS has been involved with Hillphones since its inception. It has worked well over the years, providing a service for hillwalkers, the vast majority of whom recognise the importance of the stag stalking season for estates. Many more estates would find it of benefit and I would encourage them to join Hillphones next year." Hillphones is particularly relevant in the light of the statutory rights of responsible outdoor access which came into effect in February last year. The Scottish Outdoor Access Code, which provides guidance on the responsibilities of those exercising access rights and of land managers, specifically mentions Hillphones as an example of a system which helps communication between recreational users and land managers. Information on access rights, responsibilities, and how to manage access can be found on the Outdoor Access website at www.outdooraccess-scotland.com Hillphones leaflets and posters with the relevant telephone numbers and main stalking dates are distributed to tourist information centres, outdoor shops, activity centres, hotels, B&Bs, bunkhouses and campsites, and the scheme is publicised in walking and mountaineering magazines and the mainstream press. Information is also available on the Hillphones website at www.hillphones.info Hillphone numbers are listed below, on the Hillphones leaflets and posters, and on www.hillphones.info - it is best to phone with a map in front of you. 1.The areas covered by the
service in 2006, telephone numbers and main stalking dates are: Calls are charged at normal call rates according to time of day. 2. The
Hillphones website
www.hillphones.info provides further information about the
Hillphones |