A 12 year old boy who suffered life threatening injuries after a fall whilst walking on the West Highland Way has lost a damages claim for £250,000 against the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. Lawyers acting for Michael Leonard – who is now aged 20 – had claimed that the park authority had not done enough to make the path safe to walk on – including by failing to provide a handrail. The claim was that ‘where the path turned sharply to its left on its final descent to the road he had tripped or lost his footing…

A male and a female climber have been injured after being caught in an avalanche and falling around 300 metres on Ben Nevis. The accident happened on the Brenva face above Coire Leis on Monday 24 February. The avalanche was reported at about 1pm and the Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team and a Royal Navy helicopter from HMS Gannet in Prestwick assisted with the rescue. The female climber was flown off the mountain and taken to Belford Hospital in Fort William where it is understood that she has serious head injuries. The male was walking wounded.

Ramblers Scotland today welcomed the launch of the Scottish Government's Physical Activity Implementation Plan ‘A More Active Scotland – Building a Legacy from the Commonwealth Games”, but raised concerns that the goals will not be achieved without a change in transport policy and increased funding for walking and cycling. Dave Morris, Director of Ramblers Scotland said: “We are very pleased to see the launch of ‘A More Active Scotland’ which is a key step in delivering the 2014 Commonwealth Games legacy. We welcome the long term approach taken by the government for a 10-year plan with milestones after 1 year…

Scottish author and walker Peter Wright is due to talk about his Scottish watershed walk at the Eden Court Theatre, Inverness on Thursday 27 February, 7pm. Peter will take the audience on a colourful and evocative journey from one end of Scotland to the other – upon the very spine. He will describe something of the splendour and continuous wildness of this 1,200km high level off-track route from the border with England all the way to Shetland via Duncansby Head, with a spectacular collection of full colour photographs. Copies of all three books in his Ribbon of Wildness Trilogy will…

An essential new leaflet for winter mountaineers has been made available on the Scottish Avalanche Information Service website. The 'Be Avalanche Aware' leaflet – which can be downloaded free – gives essential advice for anyone heading into Scotland’s mountains in winter. The leaflet is also available in print form from specialist outdoor shops, National Outdoor Training Centres, Ski Resorts and other places. The leaflet – funded by sportscotland – provides a simply-written and clear guide for walkers, mountaineers and climbers on making decisions prior to and during their trips to the winter hills. The illustrated advice covers covering pre-trip planning,…

Distilled won the top prize of best film at the Edinburgh Mountain Film Festival in George Square last night. The latest movie from Paul Diffley of Hot Aches charts the life of Andy Cave, from the Yorkshire pits to the ground-breaking climb of Changabang in the Himalaya. The narration was set against the backdrop of Andy’s Scottish winter climbing exploits. A special commendation was also given to Keeper of the Mountains, telling the story of 90 year old Miss Elizabeth Hawley. Miss Hawley has never been hiking, let alone climbed a mountain. But – keeping detailed records of the expeditions…

This summer the Moray Walking Festival has made it easier to accomplish the Moray Way long distance walking route. The Moray Way 5 Day Challenge will provide transport and support to participants over the 95 mile circular walk. The Challenge is one of over 40 events in this year's Moray Walking Festival programme, which takes place in June. The programme, featuring walks, talks and activities for all abilities, ages and interests, will be launched in March. The 5 Day Challenge route, made up of the Speyside Way, Dava Way and the Moray Coastal Trail, takes place from Thursday 19 to…