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Monthly Archives: February 2013

Fort William gearing up for Mountain Festival

Thursday sees Fort William host its annual Mountain Festival, a four day party packed full of inspiration and entertainment during the best winter walking and climbing conditions of the year. The full programme for the 2013 festival features an impressive and diverse line up of inspirational speakers made up of top climbers, mountaineers and extreme sports men and women, together with adventure film screenings and mountain workshops. This year’s festival will be staged in and around the bustling Highland town of Fort William, in the heart of Lochaber, The Outdoor Capital of the UK, from Thursday 21 to Sunday 24

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Posted in Uncategorized

Three avalanched Cairngorms walkers die

Police have confirmed that all three of the walkers caught in an avalanche in the Cairngorms yesterday (14 February) have died. A number of people were involved in the avalanche which happened shortly after midday in the Chalamain Gap. A large rescue operation involving members of Cairngorm Mountain Rescue Team, SARDA Scotland dogs, RAF Lossiemouth MRT and two RAF Helicopters resulted in the recovery of the three buried walkers who were all airlifted to hospital in Aberdeen where it is understood they died as a result of injuries. Further details are likely to be released once next of kin have

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Posted in News

3 airlifted to hospital after Cairngorms avalanche

Emergency services are currently responding to an avalanche in the Cairngorm mountains today, 14 February. The avalanche was reported to have happened shortly after midday in the Chalamain Gap area of the Cairngorms. Officers from Northern Constabulary are being assisted by members of Cairngorm Mountain Rescue Team, SARDA Scotland dogs, RAF Lossiemouth MRT and two RAF Helicopters. Police have confirmed that a number of people were caught up in the avalanche. UPDATE 16:25: The three missing climbers have been airlifted to Aberdeen Royal Infirmiry.

Posted in News

MCofS blasts BBC's Newsnight debate

The Mountaineering Council of Scotland (MCofS) has asked Diarmid O'Hara, the Editor of BBC's Newsnight Scotland to put the record straight following last night's programme which featured a debate concerning safety in Scotland’s mountains. The debate, led by presenter Gordon Brewer included Dorothy Grace Elder, a freelance journalist and former SNP MSP, and independent mountaineering instructor Paul Cunningham. The debate discussed a number questions relating to safety in the mountains following ‘calls from certain quarters to restrict access’ to the mountains during winter. Unfortunately Brewer did not specify from which ‘quarters’ the ‘calls’ originated. David Gibson, MCofS Chief Officer said:

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Posted in News

Highland planning chair calls for windfarm rethink on wild land as 3rd application rejected

Highland Council planners have thrown out proposals to build a wind farm near the edge of a National Nature Reserve on one of Scotland’s best known mountains. The plans to build 17 turbines, each 126.5 metres high, at Clach Liath near to Ben Wyvis in Ross-shire was deemed so unsuitable that it was rejected without even needing to be put before the council planning committee for a vote. David Gibson, MCofS Chief Officer, said: “We welcome this decision but it is completely wrong that companies can waste public time and money by putting forward grossly unsuitable applications of this kind.

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Posted in Nature

Bothy closed following wall collapse

The chimney stack of Faindouran Lodge bothy has collapsed resulting in significant damage to the roof and walls of the building. The bothy – situated in a very remote location at NJ 081062 near the head of Glen Avon in the Cairngorms, is currently in a dangerous condition. It should not be used. We hope to make a site visit as soon as possible to assess the damage. In the meantime, with the agreement of the estate, the adjacent Pony Shed (c. 20 yards from the main lodge) can be used as accommodation. The bothy – which is on Inchrory

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Posted in News

Mountaineers welcome wind farm decisions

The MCofS welcomed the news that The Highland Council North Planning Committee decided to reject 2 massive onshore wind farm planning proposals. The section 36 proposals which were determined are: Glemorie Wind Farm: to the north of Dingwall with a proposed 34 turbines and 35 kilometres of access track. The MCofS originally objected to the proposal because it contravenes The Highland Council’s own policy on onshore wind farm locations. Dalnessie Wind Farm: 13 km North East of Lairg comprising 27 wind turbines and associated infrastructure, including 20 km of new access track. Each turbine would be up to 121 metres

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Posted in Access issues, Nature

One walker found dead and five rescued in Cairngorms

A walker has been found dead and five others have been airlifted to safety following a large-scale mountain rescue in the Cairngorms. The five were rescued uninjured near Carn Tarsuinn by Braemar Mountain Rescue Team at about midday on Monday 11 February. Shortly afterwards the body of a man was recovered in the Jacob’s Ladder area. It is believed that the walkers were part of a larger party of 35 who were members of Leeds University Hiking Club. The six were reported overdue on Sunday night and more than 100 mountain rescuers were involved in the overnight search. Police inquries

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Posted in News

Major search underway for missing Cairngorms walkers

A large-scale search for six hillwalkers missing in the Cairngorms is currently underway. The alarm was raised on Sunday night when the walkers failed to return and Mountain Rescue Teams from Cairngorm, Dundonnell, RAF Leuchars, RAF Lossiemouth and Braemar are involved as well as search and rescue dogs.

Posted in News

Rare trees conservation gets lottery grant

Vital conservation work, including the growing of rare trees, by award-winning charity Trees for Life has received a welcome funding boost thanks to players of a charity lottery. The seven thousand pound award from People’s Postcode Trust, has allowed Trees for Life to expand and develop a tree nursery at its acclaimed Dundreggan Estate in Glen Moriston near Loch Ness, Inverness-shire. Trees for Life has been able to invest in a much-needed new polytunnel, tools and equipment – increasing the nursery’s capacity to grow rare trees and plants to restore the Caledonian Forest in the Scottish Highlands. Volunteers will carry

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Posted in Nature


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You should always carry a backup means of navigation and not rely on a single phone, app or map. Walking can be dangerous and is done entirely at your own risk. Information is provided free of charge; it is every walker's responsibility to check it and to navigate safely.