There are still a few places yet to be taken for the popular winter safety evenings to be held at the Mountain Cafe, Aviemore in February. The evenings are organised by the Mountaineering Council of Scotland and are usually an entertaining mix of information, first-hand stories, and quality food. Wednesday 11th February 2015 Di Gilbert Di Gilbert is a full time Mountaineering Instructor based in the Cairngorm National Park. During the winter months, Di feels like she spends a lot of time looking at weather forecasts and deciphering synoptic charts trying to ensure that she is in the right place…

A new six-part TV documentary following a winter at the Cairngorm ski centre will start on Monday 12 January.   The observational documentary series, The Mountain,  to be shown on BBC1 Scotland at 7.30pm, will focus on the lives of those that struggle to keep the ski centre open through gales and snowstorms, and the people of Aviemore, whose livelihoods partly depend on a great winter season. As the first storms of the winter blow in, the Ski Patrol are shown in the first episode of the series working hard to get the resort open as early as possible. Working out of…

Mountain Rescuers have issued a warning to Scottish hillwalkers as weather forecasts predict wind speeds in excess of 100mph for Friday 9 January with stormy weather likely to continue into the weekend. Willie Anderson, commenting after a successful rescue of two walkers from the Cairngorm plateau near Ben Macdui yesterday (Wednesday 7 January) said walkers should not attempt to climb Scotland’s mountains during the forecasted adverse weather. The Mountain Weather Information Service is predicting storm force winds developing widely overnight into Friday with wind speeds expected to reach 80-100mph in some areas with severe wind chill and “appalling” visibility at…

Five people were caught in an avalanche today on Ben Nevis, but all escaped. Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team reported that the avalanche resulted from a cornice collapse in No. 4 gully. All the people involved managed to walk out, and there was only one minor injury. The rescue team was assisted by helicopters from Prestwick and Lossiemouth, whilst an emergency medical team from Paisley was mobilised along with Glencoe Mountain Rescue Team and the ski patrol from Aonach Mor.

A statue of Tom Weir will be unveiled on the shores of Loch Lomond to coincide with the 100th anniversary of his birth on 29 December. The unveiling event – at Balmaha Bay picnic area – will include a musical tribute and will mark the centenary of Tom Weir’s birthday, with special guests including well-known outdoor writers and broadcasters Cameron McNeish and Jimmie MacGregor, Scottish minstrel Alistair MacDonald and sculptor Sean Hedges-Quinn. Attendance on the 29th at midday is free, and samples of Tom’s favourite brew and snack will be available. Those attending are encouraged to wear one of Tom’s…

The full programme for the 2015 Fort William Mountain Festival has now been announced. Some of the best inspirational speakers made up of top climbers, and mountaineers, will join adventure film screenings, ski mountaineering and hill running races and mountain skills workshops for the four day festival. Staged in and around the Highland town of Fort William it will run from Wednesday 18th to Sunday 22nd February 2015. Mike Pescod, Chairman of the Highland Mountain Culture Association, organisers of the Festival, said: “The Fort William Mountain Festival celebrates our wild landscape and the opportunities it presents. It’s guaranteed to inspire,…