The coalition government is planning to go ahead with plans to privatise the search and rescue helicopter service which operates throughout the UK. This service is currently provided by the RAF and Royal Navy, plus civilian helicopters through the Maritime and Coastguard Agency. The previous government had been in talks for the service to be run by private consortium Soteria from 2012, however these plans were dropped when the new government came into power. The plan was to replace the ageing Sea King helicopters with new, privately-owned ones, to be operated from 12 bases across the UK. The BBC is…

A new emergency text service has been set up to allow people to text 999 when voice calls cannot be made but there is sufficient signal to send a text. Heather Morning, Mountain Safety Advisor at the MCofS, is urging walkers to register for the new service. She said, “You can now contact the 999 emergency services by SMS text from your mobile phone. This is going to be particularly useful for those needing 999 assistance in the hills when mobile reception is poor and there is not enough signal to make a call.” However you will only be able…

The Mountain Weather Information Service will now revise it’s forecasts at 13:30 daily rather than 16:30. This seasonal change is made every year to help hill-goers plan their activities. Minor revisions to the forecasts will continue to be made throughout the day and particularly at around 7:30 so its always worth checking the current forecast at the MWIS website or via their phone forecast service.

Historic Scotland is once again offering free admission to its properties over the St Andrew’s Day weekend. The free weekend runs from Saturday 27 November to Tuesday 30 November. Highlights include Urquhart Castle on Loch Ness, Huntly Castle (pictured), Skara Brae on Orkney and Iona Abbey. Many of the properties can be combined with a local walk found on Walkhighlands for example why not visit Huntly Castle and take in this circular walk along the River Deveron? The participating properties are: Aberdour Castle ·Arbroath Abbey ·Arnol Blackhouse (not open on 28th November, Sunday) ·Blackness Castle ·Bothwell Castle ·Caerlaverock Castle ·Cardoness…

Following the tragic death of one walker and the serious injury of another from a bull attack in Nottinghamshire the Ramblers has issued advice for those walking near livestock and have suggested the need to look again at legislation allowing bulls in fields with public footpaths/access. Attacks by animals are extremely rare but do take place. The Ramblers advises its members and the public to be prepared for animals to react to their presence, especially if a dog is present. It advises the public to walk carefully and quietly near livestock and to close gates when walking through fields containing…

2010 is the centenary of the birth of the poet Norman MacCaig, who wrote much of his best-loved poems about the north-west Highlands, especially Assynt. The local community remembers Norman well, as he and his family were welcome visitors every summer for decades, and this week have organised a special celebration in his honour. The stella line-up includes Glasgow’s poet laureate, Liz Lochhead, literary editor and writer Alan Taylor, harpist Wendy Stewart, poet and literature professor Alan Riach and the painter of the masterpiece, ‘Poets’ Pub’, Sandy Moffat. The winners of the Norman MacCaig Poetry Competition will also be announced…

The independent hostel at Cannich, Glen Affric Backpackers has closed down. The hostel which was adjacent to the old SYHA hostel and housed in old army camp buildings was popular with groups and individuals wanting a budget base in such a prime walking location.