The Mountaineering Council of Scotland (MCofS) has once again teamed up with ScotRail to offer members a fantastic deal on rail travel in the Highlands this coming winter. From January 2nd to March 31st MCofS members will be entitled to a 50% discount on rail travel on the Fort William to Mallaig, Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh, and Inverness to Wick and Thurso lines. MCofS Membership Development Officer, Mike Dales, said: “We are grateful to ScotRail for providing this great offer to our members. We’re still in November, but hill walkers, climbers and ski tourers can already start planning a…

The Mountaineering Council of Scotland (MCofS) has sent a letter to the Chief Executive of Cairngorm Mountain Limited (CML), highlighting concerns relating to parking charges at Coire Cas. The MCofS has three concerns which relate to the current voluntary parking scheme, the use of voluntary donations, and the potential imposition of mandatory charging. The MCofS believes that the current voluntary donation scheme trial is inadequately signposted and that, as a result, visitors may be unaware that the scheme is in operation. The MCofS is therefore urging CML to improve signage to avoid the possibility that the voluntary donation scheme system…

The metal post at the top of Number 4 Gully on Ben Nevis has pulled out of the ground and thrown down the gully. The navigation post, which has been in place for several years, is currently the subject of a consultation. A spokesperson for the Mountaineering Council of Scotland (MCofS) said, “The future of this essential navigation aid and that of the abseil posts in Coire Leis have recently been under discussion. The MCofS supports the view that the No 4 Gully marker provides an essential aid to navigation; particularly during bad visibility in the the winter months and…

Forestry Commission Scotland says that timber harvesting taking place this winter and into next year will cause two diversions on a popular section of the Great Glen Way. The long distance route, which runs between Fort William and Inverness, will have two signed diversions in place from 1 November between Altt na Criche and Invermoriston. Walkers are advised to follow the signs and to stay on the diverted route which are not suitable for horses or bikes due to steep and rough sections. The Forestry Commission expects the harvesting work to be complete by the end of March 2012. A…