Ramblers Scotland President Dennis Canavan today welcomed the court decision which upheld public rights of access to the majority of the Boquhan estate near Kippen, Stirlingshire. Stirling Council and the Ramblers’ Association had opposed an application by Mr Euan Snowie of Boquhan for a declarator to exempt 40 acres of his estate from access rights in a court hearing held during May 2007. A locked gate which prevented access along an access route into the estate will now have to be opened up. Dennis Canavan said: “We are delighted with Sheriff Cubie’s decision which reflects the intentions of the Scottish…

A 51 year old climber from Cumbria has been rescued from Ben Nevis after being hit by falling ice. Reportedly he was ascending the left Indicator Wall route on the North Face. Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team reached the man yesterday and he was airlifted by helicopter to Belford Hospital in Fort William.

The wreckage of the light airplane that went missing yesterday morning has been found on Cairn Gorm. The remains were located by the Cairngorm Mountain Rescue team about a kilometre from the funicular railway. Police confirmed that a body was found in the wreckage and were contacting next of kin. The plane had lost contact with traffic controllers at 11am yesterday morning whilst flying from Carlisle to Wick. Two rescue helicopters and three rescue teams had been involved in the search that followed.

A light airplane with one person on board lost contact with air traffic controllers just before lunchtime today.  The plane, which was flying from Carlisle to Wick near the north coast, was last seen close to the Ptarmigan restaurant at the top of the Cairngorm Mountain Railway. Eyewitnesses reported hearing the plane and then a loud bang. Weather conditions in the area are poor with snow showers and low visibility; two rescue helicopters are currently searching the area.