Drinking from a clear mountain burn

A mountain expert has advised hillgoers to ditch their usual protective clothing and pack extra water when heading for Scotland’s mountains.

With rare hot, dry conditions forecast to continue in the near future, keeping hydrated on the hills is becoming a challenge.

The tinder-dry terrain is also at high risk of wildfires, Mountaineering Scotland said.

A spokesperson for the organisation, which represents climbers, hillwalkers and mountaineers north of the border, said: “With the forecast remaining warm and dry for the coming week, hillwalkers in Scotland are facing an unusual challenge – not enough water.

“As well as meaning people should carry more water than usual to avoid dehydration, the dry conditions make it essential that extreme care is taken to avoid the risk of wildfires.

Heather Morning, mountain safety adviser with Mountaineering Scotland, said: “It has been great to see so many people inspired to walk and climb in our hills and mountains in this hot and dry spell.

“But sunshine brings its own problems.

“In fact if you were out on the hill last weekend you may have found conditions pretty hard going and unpleasant for walking uphill – sweating profusely and trying to avoid being the next meal for the influx of horse flies or ‘clegs’ which seem to be thriving this season in the hot, dry conditions.

“I do not remember conditions underfoot so dry. Bogs are dry, peat is cracking, burns are very low or non-existent and small lochans are either dry or disappearing at an alarming rate. Vegetation on much of the higher ground is parched and lifeless.”

Forecasts for the week ahead suggest that most areas of Scotland will get no rain for at least the next week, with the risk of fire a real issue.

Ms Morning said: “My advice if you are heading out in the next few days is to ditch some of the usual kit that you carry in your rucksack such as duvet jacket and waterproof trousers and swap them for an extra litre of water, sun hat and high-factor sun cream.

“Hydration is a real issue and the normal one litre of fluid I carry is just not adequate. At the moment I’m carrying two litres, replenishing on the hill if at all possible and ensuring that I drink a lot of fluid both before and after my days out on the hill.

Firefighters had to dig out the whole area af this campfire to prevent the fire spreading further through the ground

“Protecting yourself from the sun and ensuring you drink enough liquids is about more than your health – it also makes the difference between having a miserable time and enjoying a great day out in the mountains.”

Walkers also need to be aware that underfoot conditions mean the fire risk will only increase, with tinder-dry vegetation and dry peaty ground.

Ms Morning said: “A good amount of common sense should be used to ensure that we don’t trigger the start of a fire which would have devastating effects on the vegetation and wildlife. “A discarded cigarette, a camp fire, a barbecue – any of these could start a fire straight away or after smouldering for many hours.”

Grant Moir, chief executive of the Cairngorms National Park Authority, said: “A smouldering cigarette or one campfire ember can ignite in a gust of wind and even the smallest fire can spread uncontrollably and devastate entire hillsides.

“Livestock, wildlife and protected woodland can all be devastated by these fires. The message is quite simple: do not light a fire during long dry spells of weather. We want people to enjoy the Cairngorms national park but not at the expense of our wildlife and the important habitats that supports it.”