Well-known blogger and mountain leader Lucy Wallace will become the first woman president of Ramblers Scotland, the walking charity announced today. Lucy is a professional wildlife guide and outdoor instructor who holds the Winter, Summer and International Mountain Leader awards. She is an accredited Duke of Edinburgh’s Award assessor, working with schools and young people on expeditions throughout Scotland. She will succeed countryside ranger Ben Dolphin as Ramblers Scotland’s honorary figurehead, following the organisation’s AGM in North Berwick this weekend. She follows in the footsteps of the late conservationist Dick Balharry, award-winning broadcaster Cameron McNeish and Dr Andrew Murray, who was the Scottish Government’s…

With winter conditions at last established in Scotland’s mountains, Mountaineering Scotland is reminding hillgoers not to get carried away by excitement. After a winter which has been characterised by warmer than usual temperatures and lack of good snow, many keen hill walkers, climbers and ski tourers are eager to get out into the white stuff and make the most of the pleasures of the winter mountains. But experts have cautioned people to remember the golden rules of winter mountaineering: be prepared, be equipped and check conditions before you go. Heather Morning, Mountain Safety Adviser for Mountaineering Scotland, said “People are…

The Fort William Mountain Festival 2020 will be held from Wednesday 19th to Sunday 23rd February, headlined by 36-year-old Nepalese mountaineer and former Gurkha in the British Special Forces, Nirmal Purja MBE, who  summited all 14 ‘death zone’ mountains (over 8,000 metres) in a record obliterating six months with a truly inspirational talk highlighting this Herculean task. In its 16th year, organisers of the Fort William Mountain Festival will once again stage a stunning line-up packed full of inspiration, education and entertainment, action and adventure, at venues in and around the bustling Highland town of Fort William. The programme includes presentations from…