Police and mountain rescuers have been scouring a section of the West Highland Way after an abandoned tent and rucksack were found. The gear was left on the West Highland Way, near to the A81 and the Glengoyne Distillery, and Police are now appealing to walkers in the area for help. Central Scotland Police say that the outdoor gear includes a green coloured tent and dark blue rucksack. The Police say that the property appears to have been left sometime between 11am and 3:30pm on Sunday September 11. Police are keen to speak with anyone who was in the area…

Two free walks to learn more about fungi will take place at Loch Leven over the next month. Autumn is a terrific time of year for fungi spotting. In previous years, participants have spotted over 60 different species on Loch Leven’s fungi forays. SNH staff will be joined by local expert Richard Smith from Lochore Meadows Country Park on the hunt for fungi. Participants will see many different types of fungi, learn which ones are dangerous, and find out how humans have used fungi throughout history as medicines, hallucinogens and in cooking. Fungi are also essential recyclers of the woodland,…

Members of the Mountaineering Council of Scotland (MCofS) elected Brian Linington as President at their AGM on Saturday 3 September. Brian was originally elected to the volunteer Board of the MCofS in 2008 and has chaired Board meetings since 2009, with further responsibility for Strategy. He replaces Chris Townsend who had reached the term of his period of office. Brian, an active mountaineer who lives in Plockton on the west coast of Scotland, expressed his appreciation of members’ confidence in him following the vote, and stated:”Mountaineering covers a range of activities from indoor climbing and hill walking, to outdoor climbing…