Avalanche warning for Arthur's Seat and elsewhere

Walkers are being warned of the high risk of avalanches in the Pentlands and even Arthur’s Seat in the capital after heavy snow falls. The Scottish Avalanche Information Service (SAIS), which is currently providing weekend forecasts for two popular walking and climbing areas, has issued a hazard warning of high risk of avalanche in the Northern Cairngorms.

Edinburgh City Council said walkers should avoid slopes which are most heavily loaded with snow, since the added weight could trigger avalanches. Arthur’s Seat, in the heart of the city, has had a thick covering of snow for a few days now and has even attracted a skier amidst the numerous walkers and sledgers. Cliff Smith, the Council’s outdoor education specialist, told the BBC that just a small slide of snow could take a walker off a ledge on Arthur’s Seat. He said people should have their “wits about them.”

The SAIS has started limited weekend hazard warnings for Lochaber and the Northern Cairngorms several weeks early due to the heavy snowfall. The daily forecasts for the five areas covered by the service will start on December 16. The highest avalanche risk this weekend is in the Cairngorms on north-west to north-east facing slopes with considerable risk predicted on west, east and south-east facing slopes, and moderate risk on other slopes. Further details, including information on how to interpret the avalanche hazard warnings and general advice about walking and climbing in snow, including route planning can be found at the SAIS website.