The MCofS winter lecture series starts next wednesday (12 Jan) at the Mountain Cafe in Aviemore. The first speaker is Nick Carter who is guaranteed to provide an entertaining and thought provoking evening’s entertainment. The talk starts at 8pm, meals available at 7pm (£10) booking essential for the meals call the Mountain Cafe direct on 01479 812473. Alongside the usual popular venues of the Clachaig Inn, Glencoe and the Mountain Cafe, Aviemore, TISO will be hosting a series of 7 lectures across its stores. Buff are also supporting the 2011 series; all participants will be invited to enter their name…

A training park where skiers, climbers and walkers can practice with an avalanche transceiver is due to be opened in Glencoe on 8 January by Hamish Macinnes. The use of transceivers is a proven safety tool for those who go to the hills in winter. For the climber the hill walker and the off piste skier the training park, to be sited at Glencoe Mountain ski centre, will be a valuable training aid. Case studies confirm that practice search preparation time is significantly shortened with access to such dedicated training sites. Advanced skills such as deep and multiple burials can…

BBC2 Scotland will be showing Cameron McNeish’s Hebridean Trail at 7pm tonight (Monday 27 December). In the programme McNeish travels on foot and on bike through the long chain of the Outer Hebrides, from the most southerly inhabited island of Vatersay to the Butt of Lewis in the north. On his journey he meets people whose families have lived here for centuries, as well as relative newcomers. He explores a landscape full of variety – from the stunning panoramic viewpoint on Eaval’s summit in North Uist, to flora and fauna that must be patiently sought out. It is, argues Cameron;…

The local community has failed in its bid to purchase Glencoe House from NHS Highland. The building, which had been used as a cottage hospital and old people’s home in recent years, had been the subject of an attempt by the local community to buy it under the provisions of the Land Reform Act. However it is understood that the group could not meet the £450,000 price tag and that NHS Highland will now put the former mansion on the open market. The South Lochaber Community Group had planned to buy the house and convert it into a visitor attraction…