The Mountain Bothies Association (MBA) has been honoured with the highest award a voluntary group can receive in the UK. Welcoming the the Queens Award for Voluntary Service, MBA Chairman, Simon Birch, said: “We are very proud to have received this award. It recognises the huge efforts that have been made by many, many volunteers over the half century that the MBA has been in existence. These volunteers have restored, and continue to maintain as open shelters, buildings that are greatly valued by those who explore the remoter parts of the country on foot or by bike. “I also want…

Police in Lochaber are searching for an overdue hill walker who set off to tackle the Ring of Steall on Saturday morning Eric Cyl, aged 62, hasn’t been seen since setting off in the Mamores, the alarm was raised when he had failed to return by Sunday. The search has involved both Lochaber and Glencoe Mountain Rescue teams, assisted by Search and Rescue Dogs and a Coastguard helicopter. Mr Cyl was last seen wearing a light grey jacket and dark trousers. He was walking alone and carrying two walking poles. Anyone who sighted Mr Cyl on the hill or who…

Booking is now open for the wide variety of events being put on as part of this year’s Moray Walking Festival. Enjoy long Midsummer days exploring Moray’s world renowned golden coasts, hills and forests full of hidden fauna and flora, whisky colored rivers and towns with stories to tell and culture to experience. Alongside the more usual guided walks there will be sessions on navigation, animal tracking, white water rafting, evening talks, walking challenges, an endurance races and even a couple of chances to have a go at the growing sport of disc golf. The festival kicks off on Thursday…

The MCofS has places available on its navigation courses at Contin near Inverness over the weekend of 13 and 14 June. These one-day courses are available to MCofS members for £35 and non-members for £45 which includes a year’s membership and subscription to the Scottish Mountaineer magazine. The courses are designed for hillwalkers who want to brush up on navigation, increase confidence on the hill, and pick up handy hints and techniques to locate yourself on the hill in poor visibility. Each course starts with a gentle introduction to the theory followed by a practical session on the hill. Ratios…