This Saturday, competitors will plunge down a two mile stretch of the Glen Nevis River clinging only to flimsy airbeds to raise funds for Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team. The race has been started up again after a six-year absence. Older or more nostaligic readers will remember a terrified-looking John Noakes taking part in the race for Blue Peter in the 1970’s. Competitors start by hurling themselves off a ledge at the head of the glen, before plunging into the river and later dropping down a 9 metre waterfall at Lower Falls Leap (pictured). In between they must negotiate pinch points…

Five people camping at the Glenrosa campsite on the Isle of Arran had to be winched to safety by a helicopter early this morning after a river broke its banks. Heavy rain in southern Scotland meant that the campers became cut off on a mini island created by the river in spate. The Royal Navy Helicopter was scrambled at approximately 8 o’clock this morning and the campers were airlifted to a local community centre. The rest of the campsite was evacuated and at one point during the rescue operation the campsite owner waded into the swollen water to try to…

Last weekend’s Caledonian Challenge, where walkers set out to complete 54 miles of the West Highland Way in under 24 hours, has been a success. The fastest time was by Robert Valentine who completed the course in 9 hours and 44 minutes. Approximately 1300 people took part, walking in teams and raising huge amounts for Scottish community projects. 1010 walkers completed the full route with most of the others reaching the bronze or silver medal points at Inveranan and Auchtertyre.The fastest team home was from the Black Watch Regiment. The weekend was one of activity across Scotland, with over 11,000…

In a busy week on Mount Everest, Mr. Min Bahadur Sherchan last week become the oldest person to reach the summit of the world. The 76 year-old Nepali – from the village of Tatopani – was assisted by a team of 12 Sherpas. The following day Yuichiro Miura – a 75 year-old from Japan – also reached the summit. Before Sherchan’s ascent, Yuichiro Miura had previously held the record as the oldest summitter from when he had climbed the mountain back in 2003. He may have lost his record, but he has now become the first person to climb Everest…