Mountaineers all over Scotland delighted last weekend in perfect winter conditions, with clear blue skies and sun glinting off crisp white snowy hills. It was the sort of glorious weekend when no-one could question why people take to Scotland’s winter mountains. But experienced mountaineers know that the weather isn’t always like that, and with forecasts this weekend expected to be more mixed than last weekend’s ideal conditions, climbers are being reminded of the dangers of cornices. Found above cliffs and steep slopes, these projecting ledges of snow can be surprisingly hard to see in poor visibility. In fact last winter…

A total of three people have now died over the last two days in the Scottish hills, and the search for a couple who went missing at the weekend continues. A second of the three walkers rescued from Lowther Hills above Durisdeer yesterday died in hospital this lunchtime. The two fatalities were named as Geoffrey Stewart and George Crosbie, 74 and 73. The third walker in their party – Bobby Thompson – is still in hospital. The three men – described by police as experienced – were stuck overnight in the hills and were affected by hypothermia. Colin Golphin, Moffat…

Police Scotland and the Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team are appealing for information about two climbers who are missing on Ben Nevis. Tim Newton and Rachel Slater, both from Bradford and in their twenties – were climbing on the mountain over the weekend. It is thought they camped behind the CIC hut in a green tent. Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team carried out searches on Monday night and further searches now under way. Anyone with information about the missing couple should call Police Scotland on 101 and ask for Fort William police. Police Scotland have released a picture of the couple and…

Mick Tighe, a guide, rescuer, trainer and pioneer who embodies the spirit of Scottish mountaineering, has been announced as this year’s winner of the Scottish Award for Excellence in Mountain Culture 2016. Nominated by the public and his peers as a mountain hero who celebrates achievement, accomplishment and the spirit of adventure, Mick joins previous winners such as Hamish MacInnes, Jimmy Marshall and Myrtle Simpson in the Excellence in Mountain Culture Hall of Fame. Those who nominated Mick for the award described him as embodying the spirit of Scottish mountaineering, whether through his work as a guide, rescuer, trainer, pioneer…

Huntly will again be hosting a slow marathon, a 26 mile walk along the River Deveron in April. The organisers, Deveron Arts, say that a slow marathon celebrates the human pace. It is both an endurance event, attracting walkers from all walks of life, and a poetic act, bringing art and walking together. The Huntly event is now an annual event, originating in 2012 when the first Slow Marathon was planned by Ethiopian artist Mihret Kebede. Slow Marathon 2016 is a 26 mile/42 km along the River Deveron walking against the flow to Huntly. The route is inspired by artist…

The batch of December storms is set to continue with Storm Frank set to batter the Scottish hills tonight and tomorrow (Wednesday 30th). The Mountain Weather Information Service is forecasting winds of 70 to 90mph to continue for many hours, with gusts of 100mph or more – making any mobility very difficult. Persistent heavy rain is also forecast, particularly in west and southwest Scotland, again rarely ceasing for many hours with around 120mm set to fall on higher areas – causing further flooding. The rain will turn to snow over the mountains later in the day. The Mountaineering Council of…