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Pretty sure that’s incorrect.
Delighted to be incorrect.
It seems I'll be ok to get up onto Ben Macdui from Moray, I'll just have to go in from Tomintoul and Glen Avon 😀
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Scottish_council_areas_by_highest_point
Aye, bring your board and you can have a slide in the Cas too.
First case in Shetland today for 4 weeks 🙁
Aye, bring your board and you can have a slide in the Cas too
Splitboarding FTW!!
That's bad news about Shetland. Oil work related maybe? My BiL and the entire minibus of 8 or so he was on are now self isolating in Aberdeen as one of them tested positive, turns out they all now have it.
I don’t either, I’m certainly planning some local overnights.
Cheers @spin, just need a nice cold, clear night now!
@swavis it's not been put down to Contractors or travel off island. But they announce few details to stop any witch hunts. It must be a resident though as the case is registered here.
Hopefully it's been caught early and there'll be no more cases.
I'm confusing myself with the new L4 requirements.
I'm in South Aberdeenshire, so quite a large area to cover. Am I correct in thinking a half hour drive to the local Corbett would be ok, but that driving an hour or so to the Ballater area would be breaking the keeping driving to a minimum rule (or alternatively Rule#1)?
I'm as close to the Angus hills, but assuming crossing the council boundary is a no no.
#sairheid
Sorry folks, unapologetically lazy post here as I can't be bothered looking anywhere else.
Any news on the possible tightening of Tier 4 regs?
Last I checked exercise starting and finishing from your doorstep or up to five miles outside your LA boundary (irrelevant to me as I never drive to cycle) was still permitted, even in Tier 4.
Seem to recall a suggestion that they might introduce some sort of 'local only' stipulation?
I'm not looking for loopholes really, but have always been comfortable with my relatively low risk local solo rides but they definitely criss-cross my LA boundary (hard not to, it's on our doorstep!).
Edit: Oops, sorry, that took even less effort than I expected, the possible tightenings would be after 3 weeks, IF current Tier 4 restrictions don't slow spread of new strain.
From BBC: "First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has warned that level four restrictions could be further tightened if efforts to reduce the spread of the new transmissible strain of coronavirus were unsuccessful."
Na, no details as yet (that I've seen). I can't see the boundary+5 changing, as it allows folks to get out of the city/town which is common sense, rather than lots of folks in the same place.
I'll say this much, I've never looked forward to a simple trip north of Linlithgow so much as I do now, even Arrochar is beginning to seem like an exotic and remote riding location again! 😁
I can’t see the boundary+5 changing, as it allows folks to get out of the city/town which is common sense, rather than lots of folks in the same place.
The weird bit for me is the boundary +5. I'm not advocating it, but it would be simpler to understand / enforce if it was just +5 from home irrespective of boundary.
Na, **** that ots, that's a no from me!😂
We've had so many iterations that it's hard to keep track. Driving locally (suggested 5 mile limit) to start exercise was one. Staying locally (within 5 miles) was another, then the council boundary +5 was a third. While I can see the benefit of allowing some leeway for town/city folks, I can't help but feel it just leads to more piss-taking. Of course, it's easy for me to judge, living where I do. I'm not sure I'd have the same opinion if I lived in Edinburgh still.
I see The Lecht opened today. If we get snow and Glenshee follows suit, it does mean that I could in theory go skiing and stay within the rules. But that is a solid 1 hour drive from here and is probably not compliant with Rule 1.
I think the reason is simply that exercising outdoors is extremely low risk. If driving a bit further means that you meet fewer people while you are out it probably more than compensates for any slight increased risk of transmission from the drive. Don’t go to crowded places, take sensible precautions when you refuel and the whole thing is so low risk that it’s probably not worth worrying about. If you feel more comfortable staying closer to home that’s fine too of course and the guidance could change if new evidence emerges, but for now I guess they’ve decided that staying within (or close) to your local authority is restrictive enough.
Jeez 16 news cases in the north mainland of shetland in the last week! Can't see us going back down to level one anytime soon 😭
Community mixing at 'parties' and that's before any xmas/hogmanay effect. Warnings that police will take action if they see illegal gatherings.
Bloody idiots 🤬🤬🤬
I was in Glen Etive on Christmas Eve, the police turned up to the now gone Starav car park and checked where my car was registered and asked me for my postcode. One of them marched after a group of guys who had already set off and huckled them back. I didn't hear where they were from but they were sent home and appeared to be getting a police escort out the glen.
Slightly bleak assessment of 2021 accommodation availability from Walkhighlands!
"However, this may risk any chance of securing a 2021 holiday at all. There is likely to be a perfect storm of excess demand and inadequate supply of places to stay, for several reasons:
Many people whose holiday bookings were cancelled in 2020 opted to ‘roll-over’ their bookings to 2021, so a lot of accommodation is already heavily booked once it is allowed to open and travel is permitted.
Next summer, it is expected that far more people will choose to holiday at home rather than travel abroad, leading to a large increase in demand.
We’ve seen a fair few accommodation providers go out of business during the pandemic, reducing capacity.
Many other B&Bs and cottages in Scotland are run by people who are semi-retired, and many of these people have understandably opted to retire now and close permanently given the pandemic.
For these reasons, the chances of being able to make a desirable summer booking once the situation is clear are very low."
Thankfully we didn't have anything major planned, but I might need to revisit my credit card touring plans if I can't guarantee B&B availability exactly where and when I need it! Suspect my fast and light road bike 'West Coast 800' trip might become a more sluggish touring bike affair 😀
Now is the time to look at reports like that and look to both benefit from and help folk looking to stay in the country.
Parking, aire style stop offs, eating and bunkhouse facilities, bike buses and trains, funds to pay for enforcement of anti social parking etc, we really need to up our game here. Good to see the parking and visitors centre at Finnich Glen, needs a similar approach country wide.
Looking like we'll be going into tier 4 (NHS shetland expecting it) after 30 new cases in a week, and more expected. Several shops and cafes are not reopening until there's more clarity with our current carry on.
Police have said they will be taking action on illegal gatherings.
No easing of lockdown here in the near future and despite cases being largely 'self-inflicted' there's definitely a ground swell of any one coming from sooth for leisure/visiting not being wanted.
And to top off a great year, bbc scotland hogmanay show to be presented by Susan calman, the entertainment equivalent of shiteing a hedgehog, and music by deacon blue.
Jesus wept.
Nowt wrong with Deacon Blue!
Slightly bleak assessment of 2021 accommodation availability from Walkhighlands!
Is it slightly wrong reading this that i feel a tiny bit smug that we should get our holiday let up and running to catch much of the season?
Near Ferness, Sleeps up to 7, 3 bath, and once I've got it sorted bike storage and washing (tbc).
Why is Susan Calman allowed on the telly? That travel show she did, you knew less after watching it than you did before.
She's a cringeworthy wee roaster.
Convert, I don't mind deacon blue, really like Ricky Ross in fact, but they're ower 30 years old ffs!
Best of luck with the rentals for 2021.
Convert, I don’t mind deacon blue, really like Ricky Ross in fact, but they’re ower 30 years old ffs!
the hogmanay stuff on BBC is about as bland and middle of the road as you'll ever get. I'd much rather Deacon Blue than some nonsense folk band that they insist on every year
It doesn't have to be a straight choice between pensioners or folk music, there is plenty of decent, modern music around.
Convert, I don’t mind deacon blue, really like Ricky Ross in fact, but they’re ower 30 years old ffs!
I can back this up, I was there for their first live tv appearance on It's Wicked (1987).
Live from the car park at the Forth Road Bridge other guests included Westworld, Then Jericho and Gudrun Ure.
Nice bit of symmetry, my OH and eldest daughter were in the video for 'A girl like you'!
Listen to the auld yins moaning about the state of the telly on Hogmanay.
🙂
Nobeerinthefridge
Free MemberNa, no details as yet (that I’ve seen). I can’t see the boundary+5 changing, as it allows folks to get out of the city/town which is common sense, rather than lots of folks in the same place.
Yup, it massively spreads the burden on facilities and areas. Not to mention that of course a lot of the facilities near cities fall into that band and were put there deliberately to cater to the cities (frinstance the car parking in the Pentlands is obviously there to serve Edinburgh residents. In a normal year, of course, so this year it's overcrowded but that's inevitable)
It does cause confusion- though mostly of the "haven't actually read the rules" type- but it's pretty pragmatic.
One thing it's made really obvious again is the total lack of certain facilities within Edinburgh. Mountain biking's the obvious one for us, there's literally not a single metre of purpose built all weather bike trail in the Edinburgh area, excepting the Skelf and bmx parks and the like. And I can think of 3 well developed plans that were eventually defeated by nimbies and by "why not just go to Glentress". Very easy for the council to skimp on investment when they can just put that burden on neighbouring areas but it looks even more shortsighted now.
Indeed the value we have been placing on green spaces is now being highlighted. There is some good news long-term, as the new Scottish Space Sufficiency Assessments include play, recreation, sport and habitat affordance and are legally binding, not optional.
Re: holidays - we got booked in October for accommodation as I predicted this shortage. We've got ferries booked too. I'm expecting it to be busy everywhere. /End_Smug_Mode
I am booked for the rescheduled Tiree half at the beginning of May,but I see zero likelihood of being allowed to travel there along with 150 odd other folk. To be honest,It kind of breaks rile one anyway.
Another example for potentially over-stepping rule 1:
I live in the Angus Council area. Glenshee ski area is on the boundary of neighbouring councils of Perth & Kinross, and Aberdeenshire.
The county boundaries meet at the top of Glas Maol, on the ski area boundary. I can drive to Glenshee in about 45 minutes from home and at no point on the drive will I be over 5 miles from the position on the map of the Angus/Perth county boundary, which will be running along a hill top on my right as I go up the glen on the A93. So strictly speaking, I'd never be more than 5 miles from the county boundary; that's the exact language used in the guidance. However, I don't think that's what they had in mind, so I'll avoid breaking rules and will stick to starting ski tours by walking in Glens Isla, Prosen, Clova etc.... Grumble grumble..
If you have to constructively interpret or stretch the definition to allow you to do something, then I reckon that breaks rule 1.
I wouldn't see a problem with that tbh, your call though.
Aye, it seems that picking up an off-grid campervan early this year was a lucky move - be handy next year!
If you're going to be stuck within a local authority, it's hard to beat being in Highland. It's got the lot. 🙂
Aye, it seems that picking up an off-grid campervan early this year was a lucky move – be handy next year!
I have one too, but fear for the Lakes etc once travel is allowed. A small percentage of off grid/fly camper van types are total tw4ts, and we'll be pushed well over the threshold in terms of numbers, as was the case this summer. Trees hacked to bits, sh1t and bog roll strewn around, disposable BBQs etc tossed in the lake. 🙁
Aye, agreed. As I said in my post about this on the last page, the likes of the LDNP need to act on this and try and provide some form of infrastructure. The cat is out the bag.
Aye, it seems that picking up an off-grid campervan early this year was a lucky move – be handy next year!
I predict there will be chaos even for that.
I didn't bother moting or taxing mine foir the season we were able to travel as it's no fun when there are too many people.
It does make a great spare room that is entirely self contained and covid complient though
I have one too, but fear for the Lakes etc once travel is allowed
No need to wait, the Lakes were hoaching yesterday
This '3 weeks of tier 4' is going to last much longer than three weeks isn't it? Just wish they would say that now instead of us having no idea if we will be open or not
If you’re going to be stuck within a local authority, it’s hard to beat being in Highland. It’s got the lot. 🙂
aye but its full of teuchters
@tabletop2 - definitely. Lothian has seen a big rise in hospitalisations this week, and those people will all have been infected a fortnight ago. The Christmas cases will start becoming serious in another week, and then there's only one week of tier 4 left.
This ‘3 weeks of tier 4’ is going to last much longer than three weeks isn’t it?
It always was with what was coming down the line. FWIW, we're still seeing lots of tourists/second homers from outwith the region appearing. I reckon we'll need to go back to last March's lockdown and restrict travel almost completely.
This ‘3 weeks of tier 4’ is going to last much longer than three weeks isn’t it?
Im betting on mid to late march before Glasgow and the surrounding area is out of tier 4
Oh FFS - I am supposed to be setting off to walk the length of scotland in May ( well the bits not yet done) I had better be able to do so or I am going to have the most enormous tantrum
Yey fantastic! I don't get a paycheck until we're out of tier 4
Sucks.
I let my hot-hatch go today. Pays the bills. Took some of the coin for an ebike!
I went out for a ride today at Pitmedden on the PKC/Fife border. Very busy with some big (10+ Riders) groups and some "out of area" signwritten vans.
99% of the time I couldn't see or hear another soul, and saw mainly dog walkers out on the trails, but the groups of MTBers were clearly contravening the restrictions, with no even-token attempt at social distancing. It didn't look good, and I went home regretting that I'd even gone up there.
Usual stream of visitors next door. Meanwhile pretty sensible in the hills, including the big pheasant shoot.
tjagain
aye but its full of teuchters
But free of argumentative sassenachs... 🙂
(I've tried disputing with tj when I was carpark marshalling at the 'Puffer. I lost.)
Scottish MP on radio 5 yesterday going on about new year being bigger here than Xmas, talk about being out of touch.
It still is for an increasing minority of folk. I've always regarded NY as more "important", only really doing Xmas because of my daughter.
I was just saying to the Missus that I feel part of the festive season has been stolen from me this year. Normally we'd ramp up to Xmas, have a slight lull, then have a blast at Hogmanay. With the varying restrictions it seemed like it was all over very quickly.
new year is more important to me - but the solstice is the key date
Pitmedden not to be confused with somewhere up Aberdeen way, I first used to go up there in 1986 always had cracking trails and views North until the FC monster tractors decimated every few years
Back in the 80's it was like seeing an osprey if you spotted another MTB , you knew someone had been out due to the odd tyre track and occasionally caught up and had a chat
Great in snowy weather at the highest bits and other than the odd bit drained pretty good
I remember Colin McRae blasting through when it was used as a rally stage
In the Highlands, Hogmanay was always the main winter festival, Christmas was simply an occasion when some folk made an extra trip to mass/kirk as appropriate. It has changed a fair bit with the influx of southerners. Hogmanay was always a genuine blast, living in a wee Highland village in the 70-80s. I (vaguely) remember a lock-in when the barman went home and left us the keys...
Personally, I'm with TJ in that I think the winter solstice is a much more important winter milestone now, which is why we've always had our 'Soup Dragon' annual MTBers party as close to that day as possible every year until now.
Xmas was for the kids, Hogmanay for the adults.
In both of your posts Highlandman and epi, you use the term 'was' which is my point. I get that people put more importance on new year and even the solstice, but Christmas dwarves NY in general.
Yep. Half of Aldi was given over to Xmas stuff whereas all I'm seeing this week is a few extra pies.
Hogmanay/New Year celebrations used to be about a week long for me. Sleep was an optional extra. There's no doubt that christmas is the bigger deal for most folk and probably has been for 20- 30 years. These days the most important thing for me isn't even the solstice,but the point in the year where I stop looking back and start looking forwards, planning and hoping which is for me, Hogmanay. So this Hogmanay I will be getting absolutely tore into 2021, even if it is by staying at home and bringing in the new year with a couple of drams, on Zoom.
IIt's a very fortunate position to be in and I'm acutely aware that too many folk will be drinking a toast to "absent friends"
Wise words Gordi.
As the Scots are tight and like getting pished it's obvious that they'd prefer Hogmanay.
Record high infections again today. Time we stopped fannying aboot and imposed further restrictions.
Xmas was for the kids, Hogmanay for the adults.
I've always been Xmas for family and Hogmanay for friends.
It's all academic this year though as I'm working tomorrow and knackered from waking up an hour early today. Doubt I'll see the bells.
Essential businesses only eh?.
Local dog groomers open, in the name of ****.
Local dog groomers open, in the name of ****.
I know a girl that does it, distanced only so don't see the problem. Plus some grooming tasks fall under animal welfare. As it happens ours needs his claws done so will be looking for such services ourselves.
Record high infections again today. Time we stopped fannying aboot and imposed further restrictions.
58 cases in the last week here in Shetland now! That is f-ing mental! All due to social mixing indoors.
It's going to interesting to see the numbers in week or so, definitely a few extra cars parked at the neighbours last night and I'd wager they weren't the only ones 🤔
Sturgeon giving an urgent statement tomorrow.Full lockdown ahoy?
I'd expect so.
Bugger.
We've not been in a shop in 10+ days, we've been outdoors or at home. Time to keep up keeping away from everyone...
Struggling to think, apart from 5 miles rule (which is pointless) what else there was, one period of exercise a day, that was about it?.
F'in dog groomers along road still open!
Schools to close?
No beer why not report them
The five mile rule allows city residents out of the city without allowing a free for all
Suspect it’ll be outdoor gatherings, all shops bar supermarkets, schools and non essential workplaces and travel.
Covered tennis courts and clay pigeon shooting beside us still open today. I did wonder whether that sort of thing might be knocked on the head for a while.
The 5 mile rule wasn't actually in the first iteration (i.e. there was no limit). I can see some sense in retaining it to void city-dwellers all congregating in the same parks. However, it just allows folk to take the piss. A tightening up on inter-region travel should be a no brainer but neither Nicola Sturgeon nor Police Scotland seem to think it's a major problem.
Having said that, I get the feeling folk are just going to ignore it anyway.