A biography of Scottish climbing legend, W H Murray, will be launched at a special event in Glasgow's Argyle Street Waterstones on 22 August. Robin Lloyd-Jones will be discussing his new book The Sunlit Summit, described by Robert Macfarlane in his foreward as a “subtle and wonderful biography – there need never be another account of Murray's life.” William Hutchison Murray (1913 – 1996) was one of Scotland’s most distinguished climbers in the years before and after the Second World War. As a prisoner of war in Italy he wrote his first classic book, Mountaineering in Scotland, on rough toilet…

Hillwalkers are being reminded to register for an emergency text service which allows people to text 999 when voice calls cannot be made but there is sufficient signal to send a text. This is often the case on the hills and the system has been used successfully to call out mountain rescue. Heather Morning, Mountain Safety Advisor at the MCofS, said, “You can contact the 999 emergency services by SMS text from your mobile phone. This is particularly useful for those needing 999 assistance in the hills when mobile reception is poor and there is not enough signal to make…

Leith Hall mansion house has welcomed its first visitors in almost five years. The historic house at the National Trust for Scotland (NTS) property at Kennethmont near Huntly has been refurbished to improve its visitor and functions facilities ahead of its re-opening. It will be open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 11am until 5pm during the visitor season. There are a number of interesting walks in the Leith Hall parkland and the re-opening of the Hall means that a full day out can be enjoyed at the property, where there are also formal gardens. The Hall was closed during…

A 51 year old man from Glasgow died on Saturday after collapsing while walking up Ben Nevis. Two off-duty doctors who were on the scene tried to revive him while the emergency services were called. The man was airlifted to Belford Hospital in Fort William by an RAF helicopter but pronounced dead on arrival. It is understood from the Police that the man was ascending the mountain track up Ben Nevis with two companions when he was taken ill. UPDATE: The deceased man has now been named by Police as Gerard Boyle, a retired civil servant from the Glasgow area.

Police are appealling for information after a tent was left, apparently abandoned, north west of Loch Coire Mhic Fhearchair on Beinn Eighe in Torridon. The Police are keen to trace the owner of the grey and orange tent to ensure they are safe and avoid any unnecessary searches. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Police on 101. UPDATE: Police have now identified the owner of the tent and have no further concerns.