Next week is National Parks Week and some of the Parks are celebrating with special events, many of which are free. Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park kicks off the week with a special exhibition on John Muir, the Scot responsible for inspiring the national park movement in America. Starting on Monday 26 July and running until Sunday 1 August, the Park will host a free exhibition on the fascinating life and work of John Muir including stunning photographs of Yosemite National Park. The exhibition will be held in the National Park Centre in Balmaha and will be open…

Police are advising walkers to report any sightings of large cats in the woods near Kincraig after a member of the public contacted the station in Aviemore. A member of the public reported to Police that they had seen what they believed was a very large, black cat in the woods at Inshriach, near Kincraig at around 11.15am on Tuesday (13 July) morning. The person who reported the sighting was certain the animal was a cat and was the size of a German shepherd dog. The sighting is unconfirmed but the description does not appear to match that of the…

The Mountaineering Council of Scotland (MCofS) is offering a great opportunity for members to learn how to climb ice safely and efficiently on a training course in Norway. The course is subsidized by £200 per person from the Mountain Safety budget and is aimed at those who have summer and winter hill walking experience and some summer rock climbing skills. There are only 10 places, open to MCofS members only and priority will be given to those who demonstrate some commitment to passing on their new found skills to other club members. The ice climbing 5 day training course will…

The Mountaineeering Council of Scotland (MCofS) will hold its Annual Meet on 4 September this year. The day of activities to be followed by a social evening and meal, will also include the AGM and will be held at Glenmore Lodge near Aviemore. Throughout the day, MCofS members will be enjoy dry-tooling, rock climbing or a “how to train” hill running session. More relaxed alternatives include GPS training; a visit to the Cairngorm Mountain Rescue Team Base; a half-day tour of the Cairngorm plateau and corries; a minimal impact mountaineering workshop; and a chance to learn how search and rescue…

A man collapsed and died whilst on a walking trip to Ben Nevis yesterday morning (26 June). Fort William police were notified about an incident on the mountain at around half past eight on Saturday morning and members of Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team attended. Assisted by a search and rescue helicopter from RAF Kinloss the body was recovered from the mountain. The police say that enquiries are ongoing to inform all next of kin and details of the deceased will not be released until this has been done. A report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal, Fort William in…