In reply to Cog:
(Disclosure: I'm Ramblers Scotland's communications manager!)
Yes. Mountaineering Scotland is playing a very active role in the campaigning around Dalwhinnie, as well as other nationally-important access issues such as the Radical Road closure.
Last year's joint petition was led by Ramblers Scotland but supported by Mountaineering Scotland, Scottish Canoe Association, ScotWays, British Horse Society, Cycling UK in Scotland and the Munro Society. It was signed by more than 9,000 people and it helped us secure a face-to-face meeting with NR bosses.
The follow-up open letter to Alex Hynes, managing director of Scotland's Railway, was signed by representatives of Ramblers Scotland, Mountaineering Scotland, Kate Forbes SNP MSP, Ariane Burgess Scottish Greens MSP, The Munro Society, Ben Alder Estate, Cairngorms Business Partnership, ScotWays, The Highland Council, Cycling UK in Scotland, Scottish Canoe Association, The British Horse Society, Dalwhinnie Old School Hostel, Dalwhinnie Community Council and John Muir Trust.
It's rare for an access issue to unite such wide-ranging interests. It's been heartening to see so many different organisations campaigning on various fronts to get the gates unlocked, particularly as the unilateral closure sets such a terrible precedent for elsewhere.
**If you've used the crossing, please do complete ScotWays' questionnaire!**
The evidence gathered through that survey has the potential to play a major role in this important campaign.
Cheers,
Danny Carden.