Police have confirmed that a body has been recovered following an extensive search for a missing kayaker in Glencoe. The woman, who is in her early 20s and from the north of England, was on a kayaking trip with friends when she capsized and was swept away. Rescue teams and a Royal Navy helicopter were called out this morning (Tues 6 April) after initial attempts by the woman’s companions failed. It is understood that the incident happended on the River Coe fairly near the Clachaig Inn. Police released a statement at 5:30pm saying that a body had been found but…

This morning the Ordnance Survey will unveil their much heralded free maps for anyone to use. However, the move is set to disappoint walkers as the 1:25 000 and 1:50 000 maps which were suggested as being made free in the consultation have been excluded and remain Crown Copyright. The Ramblers Association was reported in the Guardian as expressing disappointment that the popular walkers’ maps have been omitted from the maps made free. Walkhighlands co-founder Paul Webster said “We think these maps should be available free to everyone. Walking has enormous benefits, whether to the nation’s health or to the…

NOTE: This story was an April Fool – the In Pinn still remains – happy climbing. Scotland’s hardest Munro, the Inaccessible Pinnacle on the Isle of Skye, is no more after collapsing yesterday in a gigantic rockfall as the Cuillin were swept by hurricane force winds and blizzard conditions. The news broke yesterday evening after an ascent of Sgurr Dearg in appalling weather conditions by one of the island’s mountain guides. Walkers are warned to avoid the An Stac screes above Coire Lagan – and the former ramp that ran along the side of the pinnacle – both of which…

The Mountaineering Council of Scotland (MCofS) has clarified the procedure that mountaineers need to follow if they wish to travel with ice tools on Eurostar trains. Eurostar has a policy of not allowing certain items that could be used as weapons within the cabin baggage carried by passengers. The following section is from the “Prohibited Items” section of their website: “Any article which is inherently dangerous or which could be used to commit an act of violence or threat will also not be allowed. For example items such as imitation, replica or toy guns, ice axes, household cutlery, camping tools,…

Gordon Brown announced in a major speech this morning that he is going to make “a wide range of Ordnance Survey mapping data free for commercial reuse from 1 April”. This follows a consultation carried out by the OS over the last few months on whether mapping data, including their 1:50 000 and 1:25 000 maps, should be made available for free use. The government response to the consultation will be published shortly. All these maps, both 1:25 000 and 1:50 000 for the whole of the UK, have already been made available free on Walkhighlands GPS route planner system…

The number of Scottish birds of prey being killed with poison in has increased. Last year 22 poisoning incidents were recorded by Police resulting in 27 dead birds of prey, including 19 buzzards, four red kites and two golden eagles. Scotland’s Environment Minister Rosanna Cunningham said the figures were a “wake-up call” to those who thought such poisonings were on the wane. The highest number of incidents were Tayside, where nine poisonings recorded. Five birds were killed in Lothian and Borders, three in Strathclyde and three in the Highlands. The most common type of poison used to kill the animals…

Visitors to Ben Nevis summit may be surprised to learn that some of the newly erected 1.8m high cairns constructed to aid navigation have been virtually buried in snow. The MCofS Mountain Safety Advisor Heather Morning, warns hillwalkers and climbers visiting the summit of Ben Nevis to be extra vigilant. The three cairns which mark the change in bearing around the top of Gardyloo Gully are now virtually buried in snow. Careful attention should be paid to judging distance by pacing and walking on a bearing in poor visibility to descend off the summit plateau safely. More details regarding navigating…

This year looks set to offer gruelling mountain marathons at both ends of the country. First up is the Highlander Mountain Marathon set to take place somewhere in the north of Scotland in April, and later in the summer the Original Mountain Marathon (OMM) will be run in the south west of England. The Highlander, sponsored by Haglofs, and organised by Hands on Events, will take place over the weekend of 10/11 April. It will follows the traditional mountain marathon format in which teams of two navigate their way around a two-day course in the Highlands. A £500 prize for…

One of the highest impacts on wildness reported to the Mountaineering Council of Scotland (MCofS) is continued construction of new hill tracks. Ugly and environmentally damaging hill tracks are built every year with no requirement that they are considered through the planning system. Beautiful wild areas, appreciated by Scotland’s residents and visitors, are being blighted by these uncontrolled eyesores. The national importance of this has finally come to the notice of the Scottish Parliament. Peter Peacock MSP – following discussions with MCofS Access and Conservation Officer Hebe Carus – raised the issue at Parliamentary Questions in response to Hebe’s highlighting…

The largest charity organisation dedicated to the protection of Scottish wildlife has called for starving deer to be culled across Scotland. Calling for an extension of the stalking season of female deer which ended earlier last month (15 February) in line with current legislation (Deer (Scotland) Act 1996), the Scottish Wildlife Trust (SWT) today claimed that culling starving animals which are battling to survive through harsh winter conditions, would prevent inhumane suffering as well as helping to halt further damage to Scotland’s environment. Simon Milne, SWT’s Chief Executive, explained: “We are a wildlife protection charity calling for more deer to…