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:…

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…

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…

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.

Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) is inviting people to a fascinating free Valentines Day walk to hear the stories hidden within Fife’s coastal rocks. Formed in coal swamps, tropical seas and by erupting volcanoes, Fife’s rocks have influenced its economic heritage, but also formed the intricate shapes of its coastline. The rocks on the Fife coast are around 300 to 360 to million years old. When they were formed, Scotland lay at the equator and had a tropical climate. Carboniferous age rocks such as these are the source of coal, limestone, fireclay, and oil shale in central Scotland. SNH geologist, Rachel…