SAIS Avalanche Hazard Statement 26 February 2010 There will be a high avalanche hazard in all of the mountain areas of Scotland for the start of the weekend- in particular on slopes that are to the lee of the prevailing wind which is forecasted to remain strong North-East to Easterly. Therefore slopes that face South -South-West, West, North-West and Northerly mainly above 400 m will be affected with very unstable windslab . Slopes of moderate steepness are currently unstable ( over 15 degrees) Natural avalanches will occur and attention should be given to avalanche runout zones in corries and glens.…

The tragic accident on Buachaille Etive Mor yesterday is being followed by large snowfalls forecast across much of the Highlands. Some of this snow is falling onto a layer of surface hoar which can lead to a very high risk of avalanches. We would urge all walkers planning to take to the hills to take heed of the latest forecasts from the Scottish Avalanche Information service. The forecasts for today (Thursday) include a high risk on slope aspects ranging from north through west to south in all areas. You can access their forecasts via this link. Take care.

The future of two bothies in Galloway is uncertain due to a long series of episodes of vandalism and problems at the two open shelters. Forestry Commission Scotland is currently looking for the views of hill walkers and the general public over the future use of Back Hill o the Bush and Shiel of Castlemaddy bothies both located in Galloway Forest Park. For many years, the Commission has worked closely with the Mountain Bothies Association (MBA) to provide the Back Hill o the Bush and Shiel of Castlemaddy bothies to hill walkers and other outdoor enthusiasts. Unfortunately, both bothies have…

The body of hillwalker, Mick Coffield, has been found in the back of his van in a lay-by in Perthshire, following a Munro trip. Mick’s Renault Traffic van was parked at the side of the A93 near Finegand Farm after he had completed a walk over the Lochnagar hills. The police confirmed that Mick Coffield was an experienced hillwalker and stated that it is not thought the cold weather contributed to his death which police are not treating as suspicious. As is usual in sudden death cases a report will be submitted to the procurator fiscal.

Glencoe Mountain, the ski-centre at the head of Glencoe, is hoping to tap into funds which will allow a major upgrade of the skiing facilities as well as making the centre a year round attraction. The plans include three new mountain bike trails, an adventure playground, accommodation for walkers on the West Highland Way, and a dry ski slope. The centre was bought last year by Falkirk businessman, Andy Meldrum, amid worries that it might have to close altogether due to ageing equipment and the difficulty of making the centre pay. Scotland on Sunday reports that Mr Meldrum plans to…

With its application for a zoo licence pending, Alladale Estate has come under fire with local Highland Council Access Officer Matt Dent objecting to the renewal of its current licence under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act. According to the Press and Journal, Mr Dent’s objection concerns the obstruction of access rights by the current scheme, following a complaint sent to Mr Dent by a mountaineer who had difficulty in descending from the hills past the enclosures. The Mountaineering Council of Scotland’s access and conservation officer Hebe Carus told the P&J “It’s an important mountaineering area as the ridge on which…

Next month top climbers Dave MacLeod and Andy Turner will attempt to recreate a legendary era of climbing on Ben Nevis, 50 years on, while making a film for the Fort William Mountain Festival. In 1960, Jimmy Marshall and Robin Smith were the first to ascend six routes on Ben Nevis in winter conditions. These ascents, made without the aid of modern equipment, are highly respected by climbers. The following quote from Colin Wells’ Who’s Who in British Climbing says it all, “In one legendary week on Ben Nevis in 1960 Jimmy Marshall and Robin Smith advanced Scottish winter climbing…

Walkhighlands is used by many walkers for sharing their walking experiences and photos with Walk Reports. In a unique new feature we’ve now made it possible to easily illustrate where you went on your walk using Ordnance Survey mapping, both at Explorer and Landranger scales. You no longer need a GPS device – nor even to upload or download any files. How to put a map in your reports When adding a new trip report on the Forum there is now a link to ‘Draw route’. This opens up a new window containing an OS map. Type in the area…

The West Harris Trust has completed its purchase of more than 16,000 acres of government-owned land. The Trust raised almost £70,000 from various bodies to buy the three crofting estates – Scaristavore, Borve and Luskentyre on Harris in the Western Isles. The land had been owned by the Scottish Government. Grants were provided by Highlands and Islands Enterprise, the local authority Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, the Big Lottery Fund, and a loan from local housing organisation Tighean Innse Gall. 123 people live in the area but only one is below school age and there have been worries about maintaining the…

The UK’s fastest growing outdoor retailer GO Outdoors is to open five new superstores in Scotland in the next two years. The expansion will begin in March when its second Scottish superstore opens in Clydebank. In a break with traditional outdoor store layouts the new store will feature a centre-piece family-friendly five-metre high indoor climbing wall will allow customers to experience indoor rock climbing. GO Outdoors already operates Scotland’s largest outdoor superstore in Coatbridge. The 70,000 square feet store opened in 2007. In addition to the new superstore in Clydebank, the Sheffield-based company is targeting two more openings in the…