Cairngorm Mountain is calling on skiers and snow boarders to pull on their kilts for another record breaking, fund raising attempt in 2011. Last year 235 skiers and boarders took part in the record breaking attempt and this year the aim is to get over 400 kilts sliding down CairnGorm Mountain in aid of Maggie’s Highland and The Local Schools Skiing Programme. The attempt will take place on Saturday 5th March at 11am and all money raised will be split between Maggie’s Highland and the Badenoch & Strathspey Schools Skiing Programme. The organisers hope to get 400 kilted skiers and…

The UK Government is considering moving UK clocks forward an extra hour resulting in darker mornings for much of Scotland. However the plan would bring the clocks in line with most of Europe, making the evenings lighter for longer and potentially boosting tourism. The BBC reports that the proposals will be published by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport next week (beginning Mon 21 February). Tourism experts say the number of overseas visitors would increase if summer evenings were lighter with an estimated boost to the tourism economy, including Scotland, of millions of pounds. Although safety campaigners have previously…

The Mountaineering Council of Scotland (MCofS) is calling on all young climbers across Scotland to sign up for the Youth Climbing Series 2011. This Series consists of six fun and friendly competitions for climbers aged between 7 and 16 years old. Three events are held in the North of Scotland region, with three events in the South of Scotland on the same days. The emphasis is very much on having fun at local competitions, but for those who choose to compete at all three regional events there is the prospect of gaining a place in the regional team and competing…

Residents of Scalpay, in the Outer Hebrides, may be offered the island at no charge. The BBC reported that Fred Taylor, who owns Scalpay, has written to the island’s 300 residents offering to give them the island. A large part of neighbouring Harris, to which Scalpay is attached by a bridge, was part of a recent community buy out and is now owned by the North Harris Trust. In his letter, Mr Taylor suggests either setting up a similar community trust or joining with the North Harris Trust to manage the island. Island MSP Alasdair Allan, said it was a…

The YHA in England and Wales has announced that eight Youth Hostels will close at the end of the 2011 season. The hostels earmarked for closure include three in the Lake District, Derwentwater, Helvellyn and Hawkshead, one on the North York Moors at Osmotherley, and also the hostels in Salisbury, Arundel, Totland and Newcastle. In announcing the decision the YHA said, “Closing a Youth Hostel is never easy and YHA does understand the impact this decision will have, particularly for members and guests who enjoy close links and have strong loyalties with this particular hostel. We are working closely with…

Glencoe has been voted Scotland's most romantic landscape in a poll organised by the John Muir Trust and Walkhighlands. Visitors to Walkhighlands, Scotland’s busiest outdoors website, were asked to vote from a shortlist of beauty spots across Scotland. Glencoe was a clear winner, attracting 19 per cent of the vote, followed by Sandwood Bay and Glen Affric. John Hutchison, chairman of the John Muir Trust, the UK’s leading wild land charity, said: "The John Muir Trust’s vision is that wild land is protected and that wild places are valued by all sectors of society. "This was a very light-hearted poll,…

Lochaber mountain rescuer, and the founding face behind Nevisport, skiing on Aonach Mor, and Nevis Radio, Ian Sykes, has become the fourth recipient of the Scottish Award for Excellence in Mountain Culture. This prestigious annual award recognizes and celebrates the achievements and accomplishments of one inspiring individual and their outstanding contributions to Scotland’s mountains, encompassing sport, theatre, art, photography, film and literature. It was set up in 2008 by the Highland Mountain Culture Association Ltd, organisers of the Fort William Mountain Festival, and is sponsored by Rio Tinto Alcan through the Scottish Community Foundation. Previous winners include: Jimmy Marshall (2010),…

The Highlands is bidding to host for the 2015 World Orienteering Championships. The last championships to be held in Scotland were hosted in the Inverness area, when 350 competitors took part, and it is hoped that a successful Highland bit could channel millions into the local economy. Highland Council has been asked to give £30,000 towards the bid and a report by council officials said it had been estimated could generate more than £2m for the local economy. The most recent, large-scale, international orienteering event held in Scotland was the Scottish Six Days Event, held near Perth, which attracted 3,900…

Anger is building in the outdoors’ world following the recent approval of the plans for Dunmaglass Wind Farm in the Monadhliath. The wind farm is set to be built in one of Scotland’s wildest areas following approval by the Scottish Government; Energy minister Jim Mather is also responsible for tourism which many feel may be damaged by such plans. The decision has attracted a chorus of disapproval from conservation organisations, professional writers and increasingly popular outdoors bloggers, and there is talk of a protest being organised – a ‘Wake for the Wild’. Both the John Muir Trust and the Mountaineering…