Spring has arrived — and with it a new set of rules, some wild weather, and a whole lot to reflect on from one of the more memorable Scottish winter seasons in recent memory. Here’s everything worth knowing from the last few weeks in the Scottish mountaineering world.
🔥 Cairngorms Fire Ban: Now in Force
The single biggest change for anyone heading into the Cairngorms this season: campfires and barbecues are now banned across the entire National Park from 1 April to 30 September each year.
The new Cairngorms National Park Fire Management Byelaw came into effect for the first time on 1 April 2026, following Scottish Government approval in 2025 and a public consultation in which 79% of respondents supported the measure. The ban runs every year from 1 April through to 30 September.
A few things worth knowing before you head out:
- Stoves are still allowed — the ban applies to open fires and barbecues, not camp stoves
- Bothies are exempt — stoves and fireplaces inside bothies remain permitted
- Fines of up to £500 can be issued for non-compliance, though rangers say the focus will be on education first
- Landowners can still light fires on their own land (muirburn, garden BBQs etc.)
If you’re planning a wild camping trip in the Cairngorms this spring or summer, take note. It’s a sensible measure given the increasing risk of wildfires in the Highlands — the past few springs have been a stark reminder of just how quickly dry conditions can turn dangerous. You can read more about the byelaw and the reasoning behind it over on the Cairngorms National Park website.
⛰️ Spring Conditions: It’s Still Winter Up There
Don’t be fooled by the calendar. If you’re heading to the hills this spring, the Highlands are still very much in winter mode.
This past weekend (11–12 April) has been particularly brutal — southerly winds of 30–50mph across the West Highlands, with gusts potentially exceeding 60mph on higher ground on Sunday. There’s been heavy hail, snow above 600m, and a real risk of thunder. Not pleasant walking conditions by any stretch.
The Cairngorms are faring a little better but snow remains on higher ground, and crampons and an ice axe are still worth carrying if you’re heading above 800m. Several paths in the Cairngorms have also been affected by windblown trees from winter storms — including the South Esk Trail, White Water Trail, and Jocks Road — so check for closures before you go.
The general advice for spring hillwalking in Scotland applies as much as ever: check the MWIS forecast before you leave, carry full winter kit if you’re heading to the high tops, and be ready to turn around. The mountains will always be there.
🧗 The 2025–26 Winter Season: “Good but Unusual”
With the climbing season wrapping up, UK Climbing has published a full review of the 2025–26 Scottish winter — and it makes for a great read.
The headline ascent of the season was undoubtedly Dan Kingsbury’s first ascent of Beyond Euphoria (X 9) on South Trident Buttress on Ben Nevis — a serious addition to an already serious crag. Equally impressive was the second ascent of The Great Game (VII 7) on A’ Mhaighdean — almost certainly the most remote hard winter route in Scotland, sitting deep in the Fisherfield wilderness. The fact that it had waited so long for a repeat says everything about the commitment required to climb it.
Greg Boswell had a remarkable week on Lochnagar’s Shadow Buttress, putting up three new routes in rapid succession including Shadow Buttress Superdirect (VIII 8) and Mandingo Style (VII 8). Skye also saw some excellent activity, with repeats of classic hard routes on Bla Bheinn alongside new lines being established.
For most of us mere mortals, it was also a decent season for getting out on moderate terrain — though the south-easterly winds in the Cairngorms caused widespread soft windslab conditions on the high crags, pushing folk toward more accessible venues like Ciste Crag.
🤝 Community News
A few other things from the wider Scottish mountaineering community worth flagging:
International Winter Meet 2026 — Over 60 climbers from 20 countries gathered in Scotland in early March for the first International Winter Meet since 2020, organised by Mountaineering Scotland in partnership with the BMC, Scottish Mountaineering Club, and The Alpine Club. A brilliant reminder of how far Scottish winter climbing’s reputation reaches internationally.
Sofa 2 Summit — If you’re a newer hillwalker looking to build up your fitness and confidence ahead of the summer season, Mountaineering Scotland’s free Sofa 2 Summit online programme is well worth checking out. It’s designed to help people get back on the hills after a break, or to progress to tackling bigger days out.
ClimbScotland Programmes — The RealRock and Ready to Rock outdoor climbing programmes for 2026 are now live, with Scottish climbers also selected for the GB Climbing Boulder Team.
New National Park? — The Scottish Government has committed to establishing at least one new National Park before the end of the current Parliamentary session in 2026. Watch this space.
That’s the round-up for this week. Stay safe out there, respect the new fire rules in the Cairngorms, and don’t underestimate spring conditions on the high ground. More updates to follow as the season progresses.
Sources: Mountaineering Scotland, UK Climbing, Cairngorms National Park, WalkHighlands