Leith Hall mansion house has welcomed its first visitors in almost five years. The historic house at the National Trust for Scotland (NTS) property at Kennethmont near Huntly has been refurbished to improve its visitor and functions facilities ahead of its re-opening. It will be open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 11am until 5pm during the visitor season. There are a number of interesting walks in the Leith Hall parkland and the re-opening of the Hall means that a full day out can be enjoyed at the property, where there are also formal gardens. The Hall was closed during…

A 51 year old man from Glasgow died on Saturday after collapsing while walking up Ben Nevis. Two off-duty doctors who were on the scene tried to revive him while the emergency services were called. The man was airlifted to Belford Hospital in Fort William by an RAF helicopter but pronounced dead on arrival. It is understood from the Police that the man was ascending the mountain track up Ben Nevis with two companions when he was taken ill. UPDATE: The deceased man has now been named by Police as Gerard Boyle, a retired civil servant from the Glasgow area.

Police are appealling for information after a tent was left, apparently abandoned, north west of Loch Coire Mhic Fhearchair on Beinn Eighe in Torridon. The Police are keen to trace the owner of the grey and orange tent to ensure they are safe and avoid any unnecessary searches. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Police on 101. UPDATE: Police have now identified the owner of the tent and have no further concerns.

Climbers and walkers are being warned to be careful of overheating and dehydration. More accustomed to coping with the cold and wet, people taking to the hills during the hot weather will have a different set of problems to face. “Even experienced climbers can be caught out by the heat,” said Heather Morning, Mountain Safety Adviser with the Mountaineering Council of Scotland (MCofS). “Dehydration, heat exhaustion and heatstroke, which is potentially fatal, are all possibilities in this weather. Climbers and walkers should be aware of the signs to look out for in themselves and in their companions.” The MCofS says…