Manny Gorman has today completed his non-stop round of the Corbetts with an ascent of Ben Loyal in Sutherland. This means Manny, who ran, cycled and sailed between the 219 peaks, took only 69 days and 4.5 hours to complete his epic round.

Manny had originally hoped to finish on 26 June, but a fall from his bike at the two-thirds point meant he had to take a few days to recover from injuries. Manny set off on 26 April on Harris and used the Corbett Map on Walkhighlands to track his progress. The whole exciting story, including lots of posts by members of the supporting crew, can be read at Manny’s blog.

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The Scottish Government’s Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee has produced a report backing the controversial Highlands pylon scheme. The proposal will see 600 giant pylons in a line down the Highlands from Beauly to Denny. MSPs on the influential committee say that the powerline should be given the go-ahead as part of Scotland’s committment to reducing climate change. The powerline will replace the current system of electricity transmission from the Highlands to the central belt. Almost 20,000 people opposed the plan during Scotland’s biggest public inquiry.

The Mountaineering Council of Scotland (MCofS) was one such opposing voice which gave detailed evidence to the inquiry. Responding to the Committee’s report, Chris Townsend, MCofS President said that the evidence presented had been ignored.

Speaking about the report, Chris Townsend said, “The Beauly-Denny power line would damage some of Scotland’s most important and beautiful mountain landscapes, including a section of the Cairngorms National Park. The natural environment should not be sacrificed for energy transmission. The Committee has not considered alternatives to the Beauly-Denny power line and assumes it is the only means of bringing power south, which is simply untrue.”

“The power line is not needed as subsea cables can achieve the same end. The Committee cites Scottish and Southern Energy’s view, which is that ‘in order to accommodate future volumes of renewables, we need to consider subsea cabling for transfer of power for export and to link in with the European Grid directly from Scotland’. If it’s good enough for export, why isn’t it good enough for our own requirements?”

“We urge ministers to consider all the evidence and alternatives presented to the Inquiry, and the massive number of objections, which clearly demonstrate the extent of public opinion against the power line proposal”.

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The BBC reports that two RAF airmen were killed when their Tornado jet crashed in the Arrochar Alps.

The plane, which eyewitnesses saw flying low over the Ardgartan campsite, continued over the Rest and Be Thankful pass before striking the hillside beyond at 11.45am. It is understood that the plane hit the flanks of Beinn an Lochain.

The plane was based at RAF Leuchars; next of kin have been informed according to the MOD.

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Scottish and Southern Energy has announced that it is planning two new hydro power schemes in the Great Glen. The exact location of the proposed reservoirs and pumping stations remain a secret, however the Company used the official opening by the Queen of the Glendoe hydro scheme to reveal its future plans.

It is thought that the new schemes would be similar to the pumped system that currently operates near Foyers on Loch Ness. This involves two bodies of water, located at different heights. During periods of low demand for power, for example at night, electricity pumps water from the loch to an upper reservoir and this water is then released to create power at times of high demand.

The chief executive of SSE, Ian Marchant, said that the two new pumping stations would produce 10 times the amount of electricity produced by Glendoe. The Company said that it expected to submit planning applications in 2011. There would then be a consultation period for public comment. If permission is granted the schemes are likely to be up and running by 2017.

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Do you have a GPS and don’t know how to use it properly? Thinking about buying one, but not sure if a GPS would be useful for you on the hill?

Sign up for one of the new Mountaineering Council of Scotland one day GPS training courses. These courses are running on Sat 3rd and Sun 4th October 2009, based at Glenmore Lodge. Only £25 per person including use of GPS, a full days instruction and tea/cakes to finish.

Contact Heather Morning, MCofS Mountain Safety Advisor on 01479 861256 for further details.

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A community group on the Isle of Skye are working closely with the John Muir Trust and Scottish Southern Electric to remove hydro poles at Sligachan. The Collie and Mackenzie Sculpture group, which is proposing to erect a sculpture of the two well known outdoor pioneers, Norman Collie and John Mackenzie, at the site, will remove the poles during the summer of 2009. The poles have blighted the view of the Cuillin from Sligachan and their removal will improve the area, as well as numerous photographs taken at this popular spot.

At the same time a fundraising appeal for the proposed sculpture will be launched. The group says it will be offering members of the wider community the opportunity to donate a certain weight of bronze, towards building the statue. This will be recorded on a certificate along with the participants name and the weight of bronze donated.
Each certificate will be numbered, signed, and dated.

The sculpture is planned to be 1.5 times life size and features Collie and Mackenzie, who was from nearby Sconser, atop a boulder mound. It is to be placed near the Sligachan bridge with a parking area nearby. The group says it needs to raise £400,000 to realise the plan.
For more details visit www.skyesculpture.com

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