With Scotland’s hills and mountains currently at their most beautiful and most challenging, mountaineering bodies today (21 February) have issued the following joint safety reminder, emphasising the need for preparation before heading out into the mountains. “Whether you’re out walking or attempting a technical climb, the presence of snow and ice adds an extra dimension to the risks and rewards of a day spent in our wildest environments. The primary consideration of every expedition, whatever the season, should always be a safe return. But conditions in winter make particular demands: shorter days, low temperatures and conditions underfoot which can quickly…

Bookings are now being taken for events at this year’s Moray Walking Festival. The varied 5-day event will take place between Thursday 20 June to Monday 24 June. The programme includes a dawn walk up Ben Rinnes to catch the sunrise, a navigation skills walk, an evening whisky nosing session, coastal, riverside and moorland rambles, an evening mountain safety talk, as well as historical, nature and whisky themed-walks. Festival organisers say, “Moray has much to offer walkers that visit this less well known area of Scotland. Picture yourself strolling along clifftops over long sandy beaches watching out for the famous…

Police have named two of the three people who died after an avalanche in the Cairngorms on 14 February as on Thursday. Squadron Leader Rimon Than, 33, of RAF Valley, North Wales, and Flight Lieutenant Fran Capps, both members of the RAF Mountaineering Association were killed along with a student taking part in a winter skills course at Glenmore Lodge. Nine other people were caught up in the avalanche in the Chalamain Gap, a steep sided glen linking the Cairngorm ski road with the Lairig Ghru, were unhurt. Bob Kinnaird, Principal of Glenmore Lodge, said it was the first fatality…

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…

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.