A man has died after falling on Beinn Eighe in Torridon. It is understood that the party of 4 spent the night on the mountain and that one man fell, sustaining head injuries, and two female companions became stuck on a ledge. A fourth man managed to raise the alarm and the Torridon Mountain Rescue Team and the Stornaway Coastguard helicopter were sent to the scene early this morning. Sadly it was found that the man had died of his injuries and the helicopter recovered his body along with the two women who are understood not to be badly injured.…

The BBC are to show their new documentary ‘Munro – Mountain Man’ next Sunday 20th September at 9pm on BBC4. It tells the story of Sir Hugh Munro, the magnificent mountains that bear his name and the people who have been possessed by them. Little over 100 years ago, the Scottish mountains standing at more than 3,000 feet were virtually unknown. Today they are familiar terrain to many thousands of climbers, thanks to Hugh Munro’s determination to list the high peaks which now define the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. The birth of the Munro-bagging obsession is a twisting tale…

The Mountain Bothy Association has revealed that its spending on maintaining its network of bothies has reached an all time high. In 2008/09, £45k was spent in maintaining 58 of the 100 buildings in MBA care. While some of the increase in spend was down to increased costs of materials and transport, the greater part of the increase from the previous year resulted from general higher levels of maintenance activity. Two major projects were completed during the year. A former schoolhouse at Duag Bridge in the northern Scottish Highlands, which had declined to a state of dereliction, was taken on…

According to the Relative Hills of Britain news group on Yahoo, the Munro Society has completed 4 surveys this year and will be announcing a change to the Munro list in September. Reportedly, the following Munros, all currently with a height of 915m, were measured: Ben Vane, Beinn Teallach and Sgurr nan Ceannaichean. The Corbett, Sgurr a’Choire-bheithn, currently measured as 913m, in Knoydart was also surveyed. In order for the Munro list to be changed the Ordnance Survey has to verify the new measurements. Apparently the Munro Society plans to reveal all at a press conference to be held at…

Pre-historic artwork which has lain undiscovered for centuries has been uncovered on Ben Lawers by an amateur archaeologist. The ancient carvings were discovered by rock art enthusiast George Currie. The art is similar to other prehistoric pieces found in the area, consisting of concave depressions known as cup marks or cup and ring marks, which are carved upon rocks. The purpose of the artworks is still unknown. The newly-discovered rock is unusual because it has more than ninety cup marks and at least four cup and ring marks. A number of linear grooves can also be seen, with some still…

Last March, four Mountain Rescue Teams, search and rescue dog handlers, and the Stornaway Coastguard helicopter were involved in a search for missing walker, John Mulgrew. Mr Mulgrew, aged 62 from Uddingston, and an experienced hill walker of 20 years, had been climbing Sgurr na Sgine, a Munro on the south Glen Shiel ridge, when he became badly lost in appalling weather. The alarm was raised by his wife when he failed to return and the search began, co-ordinated by the Police. Eventually Mr Mulgrew was found, barely conscious, lying near a stream. Following the rescue, Mr Mulgrew, a golf…

Scotland’s mountaineers will welcome Dave MacLeod to the Mountaineering Council of Scotland’s Annual Gathering, to be held at Glenmore Lodge on Saturday 5 September. Recognised as one of the world’s best climbers, Dave has successfully challenged some of the hardest rock, winter and bouldering routes in the world. David Gibson, MCofS Chief Officer said ” The Gathering offers something of interest for all mountaineers. It’s a great opportunity to get together and do what mountaineers do best – celebrate the mountains. We are delighted to welcome Dave, who features in a range of events and activities which will entertain and…

Michael Tunney (known to Forum members as Bio-Man) has completed his epic fundraising challenge. A fall in the Scottish mountains in November 2006, while out walking with his son, left Michael with a broken neck, hip and several smashed ribs. Unconscious for five days he was lucky to survive and endured many painful months of rehabilitation to be able to walk again. This year Michael returned to the Scottish peaks to undertake the massive challenge of climbing the nine mountains over 4000 feet taking in another 14 Munros on the way. The effort was to raise money for the Oban…

The Mountaineering Council of Scotland (MCofS) has launched its autumn training series, providing novice and less-experienced hill walkers and climbers with a low-cost opportunity to gain potentially life-saving skills. Announcing the expanded events programme, Heather Morning, Mountain Safety Advisor, said: “Getting lost and poor navigation are the most frequent causes of mountain incidents and rescue team call-outs. Our aim is to provide entry-level navigation skills at a price anyone can afford.” David Gibson, MCofS Chief Officer added “For starters, we want all mountaineers to be competent in map and compass work. GPS has its uses and our new course is…